2002 Gujarat Legislative Assembly election

The 2002 Gujarat Legislative Assembly elections were held in December 2002; they necessitated by the resignation of Chief Minister Narendra Modi and the dissolution of the legislative assembly in July 2002, 8 months before its term was due to expire. Modi resigned due to widespread allegations that he had taken insufficient action to prevent the riots that took place a few months earlier. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party was led by Modi, with the Indian National Congress being the chief opposition.

2002 Gujarat Legislative Assembly election
12 December 2002 (2002-12-12)
182 seats in the Legislative Assembly of Gujarat
92 seats needed for a majority
Turnout61.54% (2.24%)
  First party Second party
 
Leader Narendra Modi Shankersinh Vaghela
Party BJP INC
Leader since 2001
Leader's seat Maninagar Did not contest
Last election 117 53
Seats after 127 51
Seat change 10 2
Percentage 49.85% 39.28%
Swing 5.04% 4.43%
Chief Minister before election

Narendra Modi
BJP

 Chief Minister of Gujarat

Narendra Modi
BJP

As a result of those communal riots, a major issue in the election was the place of Muslims in Gujarati society. Seeking to capitalize on the sentiments stirred up by the riots caused by burning of a train coach containing Hindu kar sevaks (including children) coming from Ayodhya.

The legislative assembly of Gujarat is elected from 182 constituencies, which were contested by a total of 21 parties and several hundred independent candidates. The Bharatiya Janata Party won 127 seats, thus achieving an absolute majority in the assembly. Modi was sworn in for a second term as chief minister.

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