Former Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel on Thursday said that firebrand Patidar leader Hardik Patel’s call to unite Patel voters won’t affect the prospects of the BJP.

Speaking to the media after casting her vote from Ghatlodia constituency in Ahmedabad, the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said that her party would increase its vote share this time.

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“I am confident that the BJP will get more votes this time as compared to last elections,” she said.

When asked if Hardik factor will affect the BJP, she said no.

The second phase of the assembly polls began at 8 am in Gujarat. The first phase of the Gujarat Elections 2017, held on December 9, registered over 60 per cent polling.

In the second phase, as many as 93 assembly constituencies across 14 districts in northern and central regions went for polling.

So far, the campaign has witnessed a bitter battle between the Congress party and the BJP.

As many as 851 candidates are in the fray. A total of 25,575 polling booths have been set up in 14,523 regions.

Elections are being held in Banaskantha, Patan, Sabarkantha, Mehsana, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Aravalli, Mahisagar, Panchmahal, Dahod, Kheda, Anand, Vadodara and Chhota Udepur districts from 8 am to 5 pm.