Vadodara: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Gujarat Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel claimed that the party is "fighting the present poll under the leadership of Chief Minister Narendra Modi", and would capture 130 of the 182 seats in the Assembly in the polls being held on December 12.

"This assessment is based on visits to various constituencies and understanding the mind of the people," Keshubhai said after casting his vote.

He said he expected a large turnout of voters in rural areas as "the polling booths were set up near their houses".

In 1995 BJP had secured 121 seats, while in 1998 it secured 117 seats, he said and added there should be a rise in the number of seats this time.

Keshubhai, who had reluctantly stepped down from the Chief Minsiter's post paving the way for Narendra Modi to take over the mantle in October 2001, said BJP was fighting the poll under the leadership of Modi.

To a query he said if voted to power, party high command would decide on who would be the Chief Minister.

PTI