While many would have thought that a day after elections would be relaxation time for the candidates of both parties, campaigning day and night since past fifteen days, DNA speaks with candidates across constituencies to know how they unwind.
For most BJP candidates, it was totally a family time, and for some, even the weekend was dedicated to family, for Congress it was completely opposite. Most candidates of Congress had different responsibilities given by their own party, they too, however, squeezed out some time for their loved ones.
Bhupendra Patel, BJP, Ghatlodia
For the AUDA chairman contesting from Ghatlodia constituency, this was a much needed break. He said, "I met my workers after polling just to get a feel of how it was. It has been few weeks that I have not been able to spend time with my family. I have decided to spend the weekend with them."
Patel who was the election in-charge of former chief minister of Gujarat Anandiben Patel in 2012 election campaign has been carefully chosen by the BJP, to contest from a Patidar dominated Ghatlodia this time.
Bhushan Bhatt, BJP, Jamalpur-Khadia
"Now it is family time. My grand daughter from Netherlands is here and so my day is completely with her," said Bhushan Bhatt of BJP contesting from Jamalpur-Khadia against Congress's Imran Khedawala. He adds, "After elections, I met all my workers and understood their side of the story of phase 2 of elections."
A builder by profession, Bhatt has been a three-time municipal councillor from Khadia. He is the son of former speaker of Gujarat Assembly Ashok Bhatt who was an MLA here for 7 terms before he passed away in 2010.
Hasmukh Patel, BJP, Amraiwadi
Friday morning seemed like a Sunday for BJP's Hasmukh Patel contesting from Amraiwadi constituency. He said, "Immediately after elections, my workers gathered at our karyalay on Thursday evening to share their experience and we ordered snacks and tea. Since the meeting lasted long, and due to tiredness of so many days, I woke up late on Friday. I will spend the day with my family."
Bharat Barot, BJP, Dariapur
For Bharat Barot, the day started with a meeting related to counting that ended at 1pm after which he spent another few hours at his office, meeting his workers and understanding the scenario.
He said, "After finishing meetings, I reached home around 4.30pm and had lunch. In evening, I will be meeting political friends for a holistic understanding."
When asked him about family time, he said, "My family also fights elections with me. My mother was also a councillor."
Bhatt is pitted against Congress sitting MLA Gyasuddin Shaikh who the 2012 Assembly election defeating the Barot by 2,621 votes. Bahot represented the constituency for five terms from 1990 to 2007 but it was taken away from him in 2012 assembly election.
For Congress
Imran Khedawala, Congress, Jamalpur-Khadia
For Imran Khedawala, a day after elections was well planned as he started his day meeting his party workers which was followed by a visit to VS hospital to distribute fruits. He said, "Since it was a Friday, I wanted to distribute fruits to poor patients in VS hospital. After reading namaz, I made various calls to my supporters and well wishers who helped me during elections which was followed by a visit to Jagannath temple with my Hindu friends."
Khedawala's evening has been reserved for family and close relatives with a daawat. Khedawala belongs to Chhipa community that accounts for around 25,000 to 30,000 voters in Jamalpur-Khadia seat.
Arvindbhai Chauhan, Congress, Amraiwadi
Chauhan's day started with meeting his party workers first and then visiting the collector office. He said, "I spent the afternoon at the strong room at Polytechnic, checking the cameras, machines, etc. We are extremely concerned with the safety of the voting machines and in any case, we do not want any discrepancies. It is a kind of survey we are conducting and I am in-charge of the same. Evening has been kept reserved for my family and relatives."
Shweta Brambhatt, Congress, Maninagar
Thirty-five year old Shweta Brambhatt, who has a masters degree in Finance from London, had great plans to rejuvenate immediately after elections. Despite not keeping well since few days, Shweta kept her campaigning pitch high and had plans to visit Ambaji temple with her family. However, Friday entire day she spent her day in meetings and making reports. She said, "It has been an unexpected day for me. I had thought to take two days break to rejuvenate. Since I was not keeping well, I slept early on Thursday evening and woke up late. But had to go to GPCC for day long meeting and sorting reports. I had also planned to visit Ambaji temple but now it looks like only my mother will be able to go. I am tied up with work."
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Gujarat elections 2017")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}