As counting for the Gujarat local bodies polls started earlier today, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is leading in 44 municipalities while the Congress is leading in 27.

The results of Gujarat Municipal Corporation elections will be announced today as the counting for the 74 local bodies is underway.

Other parties are leading in four municipalities in the state.

The 74 state municipal corporations that went to polls on Saturday saw a voter turnout of 64.4 per cent and cover 28 districts of Gujarat.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has already won unopposed in 28 seats of the Jafrabad Municipal Corporation.

BJP currently rules 59 of the 75 municipal corporations in the state.

Coming right after the keenly contested Gujarat Assembly election in December, these municipal polls are crucial for the BJP as well as the Congress.

Also read: WATCH | After Bhanubhai Vankar's death, Jignesh Mevani detained while travelling to meet protesters