At 69%, Karnataka records all-time high voter turnout
Karnataka has posted an all-time polling high of 68.6% in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, surpassing its previous best of 67.6%, recorded in the 1999 Lok Sabha elections.
The state also improved its 2014 figure of 67.2% by 1.4 percentage points, data released by the Election Commission of India on Wednesday showed.
The record turnout in the state left both the JD(S)-Congress alliance and the BJP, which won more seats than the other two combined in 2014, confident of improving their individual tallies.
As far as constituencies go, Mandya by breaching the 80% mark has broken all records since 1951 with no constituency having ever crossed 78% mark. Before April 18, 2019, the record for constituencies was held by Dakshina Kannada — 77.15% in 2014 — which barely broke a record held by Mandya previously. Mandya had polled 77.13% in 1984.
Leaders of the JD(S)-Congress combine attributed the high voting percentage to people’s commitment to democracy. BJP leaders, on the other hand, were more inclined to believe that the turnout was indicative of people’s support for the saffron party. Some leaders of the party said there should have been an even greater increase in voting, going by the overall mood, but non-BJP voters did not turn up.
Leaders of the JD(S)-Congress combine attributed the high voting percentage to people’s commitment to democracy. BJP leaders, on the other hand, were more inclined to believe that the turnout was indicative of people’s support for the saffron party. Some leaders of the party said there should have been an even greater increase in voting, going by the overall mood, but non-BJP voters did not turn up.
“It shows people’s faith in democracy, and we are confident that they have made the right choice,” chief minister HD Kumaraswamy said. “That voters have come out in large numbers is also a result of overall increase in awareness,” the CM added.
‘Difficult to predict who will benefit from large turnout’
In South And West, Voters In Two States Make A Strong Statement
Congress’ Priyank Kharge said: “Unlike up to the late 1980s when caste politics was not so divisive in Karnataka, it is very difficult to predict who will benefit from a large turnout until we get the booth-wise details. As an alliance, we’re confident of getting 18-20 seats.”
Arguing that there is a greater awareness among people and that the increase has largely been in rural segments may mean that people have sought change, he said: “Unlike in urban areas, people in rural areas are more concerned about policies. I think this will have an impact.”
BJP state general secretary N Ravi Kumar said the high turnout was because of enthusiastic voting by BJP supporters.
“Barring segments like Tumakuru and Mandya, Congress and JD(S) voters have not come out to vote and this clearly indicates that it is advantage BJP,” he said. “We’ll get a minimum of 20 seats this time and that’s because we have also managed to poach some votes from traditional Congress voters. For example, other than in Mysuru belt, we will get at least 50% of the Kuruba votes too.”
The state also improved its 2014 figure of 67.2% by 1.4 percentage points, data released by the Election Commission of India on Wednesday showed.
The record turnout in the state left both the JD(S)-Congress alliance and the BJP, which won more seats than the other two combined in 2014, confident of improving their individual tallies.
As far as constituencies go, Mandya by breaching the 80% mark has broken all records since 1951 with no constituency having ever crossed 78% mark. Before April 18, 2019, the record for constituencies was held by Dakshina Kannada — 77.15% in 2014 — which barely broke a record held by Mandya previously. Mandya had polled 77.13% in 1984.
Leaders of the JD(S)-Congress combine attributed the high voting percentage to people’s commitment to democracy. BJP leaders, on the other hand, were more inclined to believe that the turnout was indicative of people’s support for the saffron party. Some leaders of the party said there should have been an even greater increase in voting, going by the overall mood, but non-BJP voters did not turn up.
Leaders of the JD(S)-Congress combine attributed the high voting percentage to people’s commitment to democracy. BJP leaders, on the other hand, were more inclined to believe that the turnout was indicative of people’s support for the saffron party. Some leaders of the party said there should have been an even greater increase in voting, going by the overall mood, but non-BJP voters did not turn up.
“It shows people’s faith in democracy, and we are confident that they have made the right choice,” chief minister HD Kumaraswamy said. “That voters have come out in large numbers is also a result of overall increase in awareness,” the CM added.
‘Difficult to predict who will benefit from large turnout’
In South And West, Voters In Two States Make A Strong Statement
Congress’ Priyank Kharge said: “Unlike up to the late 1980s when caste politics was not so divisive in Karnataka, it is very difficult to predict who will benefit from a large turnout until we get the booth-wise details. As an alliance, we’re confident of getting 18-20 seats.”
Arguing that there is a greater awareness among people and that the increase has largely been in rural segments may mean that people have sought change, he said: “Unlike in urban areas, people in rural areas are more concerned about policies. I think this will have an impact.”
BJP state general secretary N Ravi Kumar said the high turnout was because of enthusiastic voting by BJP supporters.
“Barring segments like Tumakuru and Mandya, Congress and JD(S) voters have not come out to vote and this clearly indicates that it is advantage BJP,” he said. “We’ll get a minimum of 20 seats this time and that’s because we have also managed to poach some votes from traditional Congress voters. For example, other than in Mysuru belt, we will get at least 50% of the Kuruba votes too.”
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