The Gandhi scion was handed over a certificate appointing him as the Congress president in the presence of mother Sonia Gandhi.

The entire process will be completed after the Central Election Authority president Mullapally Ramachandran hands over the Certificate of Election to the newly-elected president of the Congress.

Congress president-designate Rahul Gandhi's elevation would come just two days ahead of the counting of votes for the Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh Assembly poll.

According to the exit poll conducted by India TV-VMR (Votersmood Research), BJP is likely to get seats within a range of 108-118. Congress is expected to bag seats within a range of 61-71.

Speaking at a massive rally of Congress workers here, Rahul Gandhi said that people no longer believe in what he (Narendra Modi) says.

"I was not here physically but in spirit I was here, I have come here to pay respects to the people who have passed away," the Gandhi scion said.

Voting in 93 assembly constituencies across 14 districts in northern and central regions is underway and will continue till 5 pm.

"Today is Phase 2 of the Gujarat elections. I request all those voting today to vote in record numbers and enrich this festival of democracy," PM Modi tweeted.

As per the Election Commission schedule, polling will begin at 8 am and conclude at 5 pm. A total of 25,575 polling booths have been set up in 14,523 places.

Dinesh Bambhania claimed that the money was given by NCP leader Praful Patel but no one was informed about this. He demanded Hardik Patel to explain what he had done with the money.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday used a series of email exchanges to accuse the Gandhi family of interfering in governmental decisions during the erstwhile UPA regime.

If the BJP retains Gujarat and snatches Himachal Pradesh from Congress, the grand old party under its new President Rahul Gandhi would find it difficult to corner the government over the issues they raised during the polls.

"Explain why action should not be taken against you for violating provisions of MCC, failing which Commission will decide matter without any further reference to you,' EC said in its notice to Congress president-elect.

Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi gave an interview to GSTV on the key issues of ongoing state elections, which was broadcasted by the channel after during the election code of conduct period on Wednesday.

Addressing a day-long workshop organised by the Congress' women's wing here, Rahul told the Centre that his party would not leave it with any choice in the matter.

Taking exception to the interview, Union Minister Piyush Goyal has urged the Election Commission to take action against code of conduction violation.

"We pay homage to those who laid down their lives protecting the temple of our democracy on December 13, 2001. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten," the prime minister tweeted after the event.

Top leaders from the two parties criss-crossed the regions going to polls on December 14 and addressed a number of rallies where they pulled out all stops to woo the voters.

Social activist Anna Hazare On Tuesday said he hoped that no Arvind Kejriwal emerged from his movement again.

Yogi Adityanath asked Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi to make it clear whether he wants a Ram Temple in Ayodhya or not.