Modi resigned due to widespread allegations that he had taken insufficient action to prevent the riots that took place a few months earlier.

The Bharatiya Janata Party was led by Modi, with the Indian National Congress being the chief opposition.

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.

[2][3][4] The legislative assembly of Gujarat is elected from 182 constituencies, which were contested by a total of 21 parties and several hundred independent candidates.