Despite massive roadshows by major political parties during the last three days, only 55.34 per cent voters turned out in Varanasi on Monday to decide what has been billed as the “mother of all battles” in Uttar Pradesh.
Though the scorching heat touching 42.5 degrees Celsius was certainly a factor for low voter turnout, a far better poll percentage was expected in a contest that will decide the fate of BJP’s prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Ajay Rai of the Congress are in the fray. The polling was almost peaceful as elaborate security arrangements were made throughout the constituency.
An FIR was filed against Ajay Rai on the directive of the Election Commission (EC) for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct as he wore his party’s poll symbol on his kurta while going to vote. The FIR was lodged at the Sigra police station under Sections 126 and 130 of Representation of the People Act and Section 171 (H) of the IPC relating to poll code of conduct.
The FIR was lodged shortly after the EC directed the district administration to do so after it analysed a report sent by special election observer in Varanasi, Praveen Kumar. The BJP and the AAP sought action against Rai for the alleged violation. Early in the morning, Rai came along with his family members to cast his vote in Ramakant Nagar of Chetganj area, while wearing the Congress’ ‘hand’ symbol badge on his kurta.
Using any party symbol within 100 metres of a polling station is a violation of election rules and regulations. Rai walked into the polling station early in the day along with his wife to cast his vote and also spoke to reporters within ten metres of the polling station, which again is a breach of law. “We have called for the CCTV footage of the polling booth and action will be taken after examining the same,” Kumar said shortly after Rai had cast his vote.
Though the polling percentage was not such high as it was seen in some States, but after several decades it touched the 55 per cent mark here. The rise is an indication of major surge of support to Modi though strong support for Kejriwal was also seen in different areas, especially those dominated by the Muslim voters. The Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) may end up tying for the fourth and fifth spot. The holy city saw peaceful polling except several cases of protests due to botched up voters’ lists.
The polling started about 15 minutes late due to some faults in EVMs at some booths in Rukhmani Inter College Mehmoorganj but the voters waited patiently despite long queue.Voters protested at National Inter College, Pillikothi as there names were found to be missing of some of the voters despite the fact that they had respective ID cards..The protest intensified when some AAP supporters reached the spot but the situation was later brought under control by the para-military personnel.
Unlike last few elections, when main turnout of voters were seen in polling centres in Muslim and Dalit dominated areas, this time serpentine lines were seen even in new colonies where majority of the residents are financially affluent.long queues were seen at Bengali Tola Inter College and by 10 am about 16 per cent voters had exercised their franchise. By 11 am polling was around 35 per cent at New Convent School, Choti Piyari where still long lines were seen.
Nearly three lakh voters belonging to minority community seemed to be fractured till the end of poll campaigning but on the polling day it seemed that they had polarized in favour of Kejriwal, giving an interesting twist to the high profile contest. large scale presence of Muslims in the roadshow of Kejriwal and the Congress star campaigner Rahul Gandhi would give a fractured mandate. Even till the end of polling day they left the poll pundits confused, but on the polling day they appeared to cast their lot behind Kejriwal.