Rohtak result too close to call, say experts

Ravinder Saini

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Tribune News Service

Rohtak, May 14

Supporters of both BJP and Congress are claiming victory on the Rohtak seat in the Lok Sabha elections but political analysts believe it’s a close contest and polling trends are not proving instrumental in giving a clear picture of the results.

“The results may be surprising this time as a sharp division of votes between the Jats and non-Jats was found palpable during polling in both urban and rural areas. Polarisation of votes on caste lines is the result of violence and arson during the Jat quota stir in 2016 as Rohtak was the epicentre of the mayhem,” said Satish Tyagi, political analyst.

Tyagi said generally, polling trends presented an image of any election to a large extent but this time, it was not easy to conclude about the results just on the basis of polling percentage.

Virender Hooda, a Congress leader, said, “The high percentage of polling in rural areas as compared to urban ones is a clear indication that Deepender Hooda is in a comfortable position and will romp home easily. His victory will end BJP’s politics of divide and rule in the state. It will be a mandate for development witnessed during the previous Bhupinder Hooda-led Congress government in the state.”

Naveen, a BJP supporter, said, “The election is going to end a long era of dynastic politics in Rohtak. In the 2014 elections, urban voters came together with the BJP to get rid of corruption, favoritism in government jobs and dynasty politics. Now, the BJP has succeeded to win the confidence of rural people and it’s clear that it is going to create history in Rohtak this time.”

Ram Kanwar, a political observer, said it’s a neck-and-neck fight as was expected before the polling. “High polling percentage in rural areas seems to be favourable for the Congress while the BJP is apparently doing better in urban areas,” he added.