Karnataka by-polls: With high voter turnout, have people voted for a change?

The Congress backed on the sympathy factor in Gundlupet following the death of its leader Mahadevprasad.

The two constituencies in Karnataka where by-elections were held recorded a high voter turn out. While in Gundlupet the turnout was 86.28 per cent, in Nanjangud it was at 77.56 per cent. Results of the elections will be declared on April 13.

Experts say that the high voter turnout indicates that the people have voted for a change. While this is not a given that a high voter turnout is a vote for change, pollsters feel that in Gundlupet the fight was a tough one between the BJP and the Congress.

In Nanjangud the BJP seems to have the edge as it is banking on the popularity of Srinivas Prasad who is expected to see the party through. The BJP is trying to make inroads in Gundlupet which has traditionally been a Congress stronghold. The Congress is banking on the sympathy factor following the death of its MLA, Mahadevprasad. His wife Geeta was the candidate for the Congress.

In 2013, Gundlupet had recorded 84.85 per cent polling. Psephologists are of the view when the polling percentage goes up to 80 per cent or more, it is normally an indication that the people want a change or are venting their anger against the existing dispensation. The BJP which sounds confident of winning both the seats relied on statistics to proven its point. The party says wherever the polling has been above 80 per cent the party has won.

The Congress on the other hand points towards the high polling percentage in Nanjangud and says that this would benefit them. People have come out in large numbers to defeat Prasad, the Congress says.

OneIndia News