by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group
Exclusive report
Baffling divide in voting pattern in Phase-I
Bumper voting in North East, W. Bengal, Assam
Massive fall in Bihar, Uttrakhand
20% Less poll in Yavatmal-Washim, 15% less in Chandrapur
Harish Gupta
New Delhi, April 13
With the release of latest figures of polling on 91 Lok Sabha seats in Phase-I on April 11, by the Election commission today, startling facts have surfaced.
Contrary to earlier reports, it has now emerged that 24% less voting took place in Bihar's four Lok Sabha seats that went to polls on April 11 compared to 2014. In Aurangabad alone, the voting was 31.50% less compared to 2014 and same happened in Gaya, Jamui and Nawada. Pollsters are unable to decipher the riddle of this huge collapse despite the alliance between BJP-JD(U)-LJP.
In Maharashtra's Yavatmal-Washim Lok Sabha seat, the voting was 20% less compared to 2014 polls when 81.27% came out. This time, the EC said 61.9% came out to vote. Similarly, 15% less voting was witnessed in Chandrapur this time, according to EC figures compared to 2014.
Same pattern was witnessed in Uttrakhand where voter was completely apathetic. The BJP had captured all the five seats in Uttrakhand as the polling was as high as 73.19 % in 2014. But this time, the voting was 59.89% only which is 14% less. In UP too, the voting was 1.50% less on eight seats.
But in contrast, bumper voting was witnessed in Assam, Manipur, Tripura, Manipur, Nagaland, West Bengal and even Odisha. In West Bengal's two seats 10% more votes were polled and same happened in Manipur. In Assam, 6% more voting took place indicating favourable climate for the BJP. In 2014 the voting was 72.29% while in 2019 it went up to 79%. Odisha witnessed a marginal rise in voting. But it indicates BJP's popularity in four seats. In Mizoram and Meghalaya the voting was less where the BJP is on a weak wicket due to various local factors and NRC. It was, however, surprising that even Arunachal Pradesh witnessed 7% less voting for two seats. Minister of State for Home Kiran Rijiju is contenting from Arunachal Pradesh (West). But the bumper polling in most parts of the North East suggest that BJP is on a comfortable wicket.
Ends
