Low turnout may upset MIM

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">HYDERABAD: The low voter turnout in the Old City, a MIM bastion and high polling percentage in rural areas under the Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat may upset many a political calculations regarding the final outcome.<br /><br />The unexpected change in voting trend may see a different result this time, feel political observers.The MIM, BJP and TRS are locked in a fierce contest in this Lok Sabha seat where voters are polarised on communal lines. MIM candidate Asaduddin Owaisi,whose win appeared certain till Monday, now seems to be shaky. Likewise, the huge turnout in rural areas have rekindled the hopes of deputy mayor and BJP candidate Subhash Chander.<br /><br />However, there could be a hidden luck for Congress-TRS candidate K Laxma Reddy. There is a strong possibility that the Telangana sentiment might have influenced voters in villages. In which case Laxma Reddy could spring a surprise.<br /><br />The sharp drop in the voting percentage in the Old City has forced political parties to keep their fingers crossed and no one is even willing to hazard a guess on the final outcome. The Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency has been an MIM stronghold ever since the party''s supremo Sultan Salahuddin Owaisi won the seat in 1984.<br /><br />According to MCH officials, there are 90 per cent Muslim voters in Charminar, 45 per cent in Karwan, 60 per cent in Yakutpura and 50 per cent in Chandrayangutta.<br /><br />The low voter turnout this time could tilt the scales, for there has been a marked change in the polling percentage in Chevella, Vikarabad and Tandur Assembly segments,where BJP polled majority votes in every Lok Sabha election.<br /><br />This time the MBT also took up a vigorous campaign against MIM in the Old City.<br /><br />The percentage of voting in 1999 in Charminar constituency has dropped from 71 per cent to 45 and from 65.72 per cent to 45 per cent in Chandrayangutta.<br /><br />The percentage of voting this time has gone up in Chevella, Vikarabad and Tandur Assembly segments was above 70 per cent.<br /><br /><formid=526372></formid=526372></div> </div>