Kolkata/Chennai: Record-breaking voting has been seen this time in the West Bengal and Tamil Nadu assembly elections. Such a large number of votes were cast in both the states that all previous records were broken and claims of victory among political parties intensified. 85.13 percent voting was recorded in Tamil Nadu, which is about 12 percent more than the last election. At the same time, in West Bengal, 92.57 percent voting took place on 152 seats in the first phase, which is about 10 percent more than the last election. Let us tell you that this is the first time in the history of the country when more than 90 percent voting has been recorded in an assembly election.
‘Huge voting indicates that change is certain in the state’
All the political parties are making their own claims regarding this enthusiasm of the voters in Bengal. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while reacting to the record turnout, said that the huge turnout indicates that change is certain in the state and formation of the BJP government is certain. He also said that in 50 years he has not seen such a peaceful election in Bengal and this is an ‘election of trust against fear’. On the other hand, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee questioned BJP’s claims and said how is the party claiming victory so soon. He asked whether any glitch or chip had been installed in the EVMs due to which BJP was having an idea of the results in advance.
‘There will be an attempt to capture EVM through central forces’
Mamata Banerjee said in sharp words that she did not expect that BJP could be such a ‘so stupid’ party that it would claim victory only on the basis of voting percentage. Mamata alleged whether this means that BJP is preparing for trouble and there will be an attempt to capture EVMs through central forces. At the same time, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the people of Bengal want freedom from the ‘Syndicate Raj’ of Trinamool Congress and that is why there has been bumper voting. He claimed that it is clear from the voting percentage that the end of the Trinamool government is certain and BJP government will be formed in the state.
‘Amit Shah claimed BJP’s victory during the rally’
During the rally in Hooghly, Amit Shah claimed BJP’s victory, while in Kolkata, Mamata Banerjee said that the public has vented out their anger against BJP by going to the polling booth and Trinamool’s victory has been decided after the first phase itself. He said that BJP is ‘blowing up like a puri, but will burn on May 4’. Mamta said that when EVMs open, BJP will get a shock. He claimed that people have taken revenge for the voting curtailment and voted in large numbers to protect their rights. He warned that if BJP wins, steps like NRC and delimitation can be taken.
‘BJP can win 125 out of 152 seats in the first phase’
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari also said that more than 90 percent voting was in favor of his party. He claimed that BJP can win 125 out of 152 seats in the first phase. He said that this time Trinamool did not get a chance to act arbitrarily, the effect of which was visible in the voting. Explaining the basis of his claim, Suvendu Adhikari said that the Muslim vote received by Trinamool has already reached the maximum level, hence the increased voting this time is from BJP supporters.
Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary told the reason for heavy voting in Bengal
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Choudhary also admitted that this time there is an anti-incumbency wave in Bengal. He said that one of the reasons for high voting is the arrangements made for safe voting by SIR and Election Commission. He said that people were afraid that if they did not vote, their rights could be taken away, so people came out in large numbers to vote. Trinamool Congress Vice President JP Majumdar said that Bengal usually sees 85-86 percent voting, but this time the percentage may reach 90-95 due to decrease in the number of voters after SIR. He claimed that Mamata Banerjee will get a bigger mandate than 2021.
Despite record turnout, elections remained mostly peaceful
Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said in a video statement that Mamata Banerjee’s politics is responsible for the strengthening of BJP in Bengal. He alleged that appeasement and weakening of the opposition allowed BJP to gain a foothold in the state. Amidst all this, one important thing was that despite record turnout, the elections remained mostly peaceful. Although there were reports of minor clashes, stone pelting and disputes from some places, no major violent incident was reported. At present, after the record-breaking voting, all the parties are making their respective claims and now the eye is on the counting of votes to be held on May 4.
SK Sharma is a content writer who writes on news, entertainment, and lifestyle topics. She has over four years of experience and is known for conveying information in simple and clear language.
