Mangaluru: While the rise in polling percentage in the coastal districts has raised the BJP’s hopes of a win in these parts, Congress leaders claim the big voter turnout is the result of their traditional voters, the minorities, coming out to vote in larger number.
With Udupi district registering a 78.87 per cent turnout and Dakshina Kannada , a 77.63 per cent, the BJP believes the verdict here will be in its favour.
"This time we have seen a very good turnout in the coastal districts which is likely to benefit us. More votes could mean that we are in a better position," says BJP's state executive committee member, Uday Kumar Shetty.
"All the booths have registered a good turnout. It is true that 2013 too saw a 76 per cent turnout in Udupi and 74 per cent in DK, but the situation is different this time. The Modi wave, achievements of the BJP and failures of the Congress will definitely help us," he adds.
A senior Congress leader too agrees that the increase in voting is likely to help the BJP. Pointing out that in 2013 the Congress had managed to get the maximum number of seats in both districts ,he says if the voting has increased this time then it is likely to be advantage BJP. Looking at the turnout, he believes two seats are safe for the Congress and it may have a tough fight on its hands in another.
"In the remaining five, the BJP seems to have the upper hand. . However if minority booths have registered an increase in votes then the Congress has a chance in other constituencies too," he adds. Noting the absence of the SDPI these elections , he says the Congress is likely to get their votes.
But BJP leaders argue that unity could be their strength this time. "In the 2013 election the BJP's vote was split due to the KJP and the Congress’s by the SDPI . But this time KJP and SDPI are not in the fray in DK and so there is no question of division of votes. It is a direct fight between the Congress and BJP," they sum up.
