Low turnout in Khadia poll, result on 17 February morning

Thanks to media reports that projected Congress’s possible victory in Khadia by-election, the traditional BJP supporter voters came out of their homes in big number to ensure victory of BJP candidate Bhushan Bhatt today. Initially the BJP brigade was worried about possible low turnout, but when DeshGujarat contacted one of the key BJP team members at around 4.30, he was happy to say: “BJP’s victory is sure.” Persons close to election in Khadia told DeshGujarat that traditional voters voted heavily in favor of BJP candidate in core Khadia area and the picture therefore was clearly one-sided.

However Congress supporters claimed that there are good chances of their candidate’s victory by narrow margin.

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Summing up in the evening

The voter turnout was not as high. It was between 51 and 53 per cent. This was around 58.7 per cent in 2007. Some observers say it was neck to neck fight, and there are chances of anybody’s winning, but Bhushan still is no. 1 choice, so what if he wins with lesser margin. When total voters are 72,000, how much margin can you expect for anyone. The result is on 17th.