Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, April 11
A record turnout of voters in yesterday’s elections to the Chandigarh parliamentary seat, which otherwise should indicate the vote for change, has rather added to the worries of the two major political parties, the Congress and the BJP.
As the details of the area-wise polling percentage trickled in today, the AAP factor seems to have made dent in the traditional vote bank of both the Congress and the BJP. Unlike the last elections when the winning Congress candidate led by over 58,000 votes, it could be “literally” a photo finish for the winning candidate.
Even in the general elections prior to 2004, the margin of the winning candidate has been around 20,000. The trend will be indicative this time also.
Bhupinder Brar, a professor in the political science department, Panjab University, said high percentage polling is indicative of either youngsters favouring AAP or people going with the Modi wave. “The first factor seems stronger this time”, he added.
Significantly, the result will not only affect the political career of Congress candidate Pawan Kumar Basal, it will also reflect upon the BJP leadership’s decision to bring a parachute candidate amidst initial opposition within the local unit.
A section of voters, who did not favour Congress due to anti-incumbency factor, gave their vote to AAP, as they did not approve of an outsider in the BJP. “The winning probability of the BJP could be only due to the Modi wave and not due to the local factors”, pointed political analysts.
AAP’s performance in the elections will be an indicator of acceptance of the party’s ideology among city residents. The reports indicate that of the 23,000 first -time voters, a large number have exercised their franchise with full gusto.
In case of Mani Majra, a high percentage of polling is indicative of the BJP eating into the vote bank of the Congress. The Congress is, however, hopeful of having cashed in on its base in colonies and villages.
Summing up the issue, a senior Congress and a BJP leader admitted that though it was largely a triangular contest, in certain urban area areas it could be the BJP versus AAP. In certain areas it was the Congress versus the BJP.
The role played by voters of the consolidated vote banks of industrialists, ex servicemen, regular UT employees, contractual employees, and community based votes cannot be ignored.
Source Link: http://www.tribuneindia.com
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