Voter turnout dips, yet BJP & Congress remain upbeat

Nagpur: In the seven Lok Sabha constituencies of Vidarbha where polling was held in the first phase on Thursday, four recorded a dip in turnout while it went up in the other three by small margins.
In the revised figures released on Friday, Nagpur recorded the lowest of 54.74% while Gadchiroli topped with 71.77%. The overall average for the seven seats worked out at 63.40%.which was nearly a 1% dip from the 2014 average for the seven seats.
The nearly 4% less vote registered this time in Nagpur has led a fresh round of speculation between the two front-runner parties — BJP and the Congress. Both claimed it bodes well for them as it ensured that only party loyalists had cast the vote and the floating ones stayed away.
The BJP had set an ambitious target of 5 lakh victory margin for Nitin Gadkari, their tallest leader and MP from Nagpur. On Friday, top local leaders confronted by the final low figure of voting conceded that now a margin above 2.8 lakh of last time may not be achieved.
“We are absolutely sure of Gadkari’s win with a decent margin,” said MLA Sudhakar Deshmukh, the campaign in-charge in Gadkari camp. “I am sure the victory margin would not dip much from that of last time,” said poll manager Sanjay Bhende based on his constituency-wise voting pattern estimates.
Congress candidate Nana Patole said he was sure of winning the seat. “My view is based on the fact that it was a direct fight with very less chance of secular vote-division. Historically, the Congress has always won in a straight fight. This time the BSP or Vanchit would not make dent in Congress traditional vote, so my win is certain,” declared Patole.
The former BJP MP claimed that besides Dalits, Muslims and Kunbis, even other communities and high castes voted for him as they were fed-up with Modi and BJP rule.
In Chandrapur, where it was the hottest day, efforts of district administration and election machinery to motivate voters barely paid off. Chandrapur-Arni constituency registered total turnout of 64.66 %, a rise of just 1.41% from 2014 elections.
The constituency comprises six assemblies segments spread in Chandrapur and Yavatmal districts. Out of the total 19.08 lakh voters, 12.34 lakh exercised their franchise of vote on poll day. In all 63.09% women voters turned out which is a rise of 2.25% compared to last time. A total of 66.14% male cast their votes, up by just 0.71% as compared to 2014.
Wani assembly segment registered highest of 71.81%, an increase of 4.6%, whereas Chandrapur assembly witnessed least polling of 53.10%, a drop of 1.69% as compared to last time. After the two-week rigorous campaign, and poll day hassles, both the BJP and Congress camps looked relaxed with both claiming a certain win. However, poll managers of both camps were busy estimating booth-level votes.
Congress candidate Suresh alias Balu Dhanorkar was confident of his victory. “The hard work of the party leaders and workers would yield favourable results,” he said. BJP candidate and MP Hansraj Ahir was equally sure of victory. State finance minister and in-charge of BJP campaign Sudhir Mungantiwar thanked voters who stepped out in sizzling heat to cast their votes.
In Wardha constituency, the final turnout of 61.18% was 4% lower than in 2014. The dip was attributed to mismanagement of voting list and apathy of administration. “There was utter confusion at every poll booth. Four members of my family were allotted four different polling booths,” said Rohan Bhamkar, a businessman and a resident of Alodi village.
“People returned without voting due to missing names in voter list and this might have led to lower turnout,” said, Manish Ballal, a businessman. The highest turnout was recorded in Arvi at 64.55 % among all six assembly segments, lowest was in Wardha at 53.52 while Dhamangaon at 61.28%, Morshi 62.52%, Deoli 62.91 and Hinganghat 63.37% fared better.
In Yavatmal constituency, the final turnout of 61.09% was slightly higher than 58.87% registered last year. Even as the long wait for results began, Congress candidate Manikrao Thakre seemed to have an edge over his nearest rival Bhavana Gawali of Shiv Sena.
Gawali was dubbed a non-performer but then the BJP-Sena alliance has a strong cadre base in the constituency and tried to reduce impact of the incumbency. The assembly segment-wise turnout was Karanja 57.45, Ralegaon 69.91, Yavatmal 54.12, Digras 64,69 and Pusad 62.27%.
Gadchiroli, despite all odds, registering the highest voter turnout election after election now ceases to surprise. The tribal dominated constituency follows this trend despite regular calls by Maoist extremists to boycott polls.
This time round the situation was queered by an IED blast and three more incidents of Naxal violence. Yet, the undeterred voters showed their faith in the democratic exercise.
Here, BJP MP Ashok Nete is in a close fight with Congress nominee Dr Namdeo Usendi. The BJP claimed higher turnout would enhance Nete’s chances of win.
(With inputs from Mazhar Ali, Balwant Dhage and TO Abraham)