Gujarat poll dates are likely to be announced

NEW DELHI: An India Today-Axis survey of voters in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh has predicted comfortable victories for BJP in both states, with Congress and other parties trailing the saffron party by around 10% of the vote.According to the survey, BJP could wrest HP from Congress by winning 43-47 seats, while Congress may trail with 21-25 seats in the 68-seat assembly. HP will go to the polls on November 8, and theon Wednesday.In the politically significant election in Gujarat, BJP is likely to fetch 115-125 seats, with Congress at 57-65. BJP is predicted to get 48% of votes against 38% for Congress. The survey points to a poor show for Hardik Patel's outfit with no seats won.The BJP tally, according to the survey, could better the 2012 results, as the party had won 115 seats with Narendra Modi as CM. Congress had won 61 seats in the 182-member House.Gujarat's support for PM Modi remains intact as 66% said his elevation had been beneficial for the state, against 31% who saw no benefit. Nearly 74% of the respondents felt the Modi government had done well or very well.The survey indicates Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani is the most popular candidate for the post, with the support of 34% of the people. Shaktisinh Gohil of Congress is next with 19%. Late Congress stalwart Madhavsinh Solanki 's son and current Congress state party chief Bharatsinh Solanki is third, with 11%.The survey indicates BJP escaping dissatisfaction over GST. Only 38% said they were satisfied with the GST legislation, whereas 51% expressed their displeasure.Similarly, on demonetisation, 44% found it successful where as 53% were against it. The survey was conducted from September 25 to October 15, during which views of 18,243 people were sought in all the 182 assembly constituencies in the state.