65.1 percent voter turnout in Uttarakhand

More than 65 per cent turnout was recorded in the elections held on Monday for all 70 assembly seats in Uttarakhand where the fate of 632 candidates was sealed in EVMs. Sowjanya, Chief Electoral Officer, Uttarakhand said that polling was peaceful in all 11697 polling stations in the state and 65.1 percent voters exercised their franchise. However, he said that this polling percentage figures may be revised after the final tally.

How was the voting in Kumaon and Garhwal of Uttarakhand?

In Kumaon of Uttarakhand, 63% votes were cast in Nainital, 50% in Almora, 57% in Pithoragarh, 65% in Udham Singh Nagar, 57% in Bageshwar and 56% in Champawat. On the other hand, 59% votes were cast in Chamoli in Garhwal, 65% in Uttarkashi, 52% in Dehradun, 51% in Pauri Garhwal, 52% in Tehri Garhwal, 67% in Haridwar and 60% in Rudraprayag. The average voter turnout was 58% in both the regions.

The effect of the Parliament of Religions was seen in Haridwar, maximum votes

Maximum 68% votes have been cast in Haridwar district. Most of the Muslims in the whole of Uttarakhand live here. It was here that the Parliament of Religions was held. There are total 11 assembly seats here. In such a situation, there may have been a big reason behind such a huge number of voting here, the Parliament of Religions. Because provocative statements like creating a Hindu nation were made in the Parliament of Religions, the videos of which went viral throughout the election.

More than 63% votes in Nainital, what is the effect of Harish Rawat?

Former CM of the state Harish Rawat is contesting from Lalkuan in Nainital. There is also Udham Singh Nagar adjacent to this seat, where Harish Rawat has influence in some seats. In such a situation, if we look at the voting percentage in Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar, there was 63% and 65% voting in both the places. In such a situation, high voting in these places can also go against the BJP, because every time the government changes in the state. That is, there has also been a pattern of voting against power.

Less votes than twice in Kumaon-Garhwal

In 2012, 66.72% votes were cast in Kumaon and 66.59% in Garhwal. Then the Congress government was formed. In 2017, Kumaon 65.4% and Garhwal 64.44% votes were polled. Then the BJP government was formed. This time in Kumaon and Garhwal only 58% votes have been cast on an average. That is, fewer votes have been cast than both the times.

Talking about the caste equation in Uttarakhand, the upper caste has the highest population here. The political competition is between Thakur and Brahmin. SC-ST are 20-22%. OBC population is not like UP. If we look at the figures, 85% are Hindus, 60% Brahmins-Thakurs, 20-22% Dalits, 30% military voters. SC-ST voters are more in Kumaon.

Congress has been strong in Kumaon – AAP can make a dent

Congress has been stronger in Kumaon of Uttarakhand. If we look at the figures from the year 2012 to 2019, it is known whether the Congress has come to power or not, but every time more than 34% votes have been received from Kumaon seat. The focus of the Congress in the state has been less in the upper castes, more in the OBCs, Muslims and Dalits. The Aam Aadmi Party is more active in Kumaon and to some extent the focus is only on the vote bank of the Congress. This is where BJP gets the advantage, because in Uttarakhand, BJP has always been working on the upper caste.

‘Others’ have played an important role in Uttarakhand

Every time others have played an important role in the Uttarakhand elections. Others got 17% and 10% votes in the 2012 and 2017 assembly elections. This voter can play a decisive role in forming the government. This time also apart from Congress and BJP, apart from the Aam Aadmi Party, many left or independent candidates are in the fray. Like every time, this time also they can play an important role in toppling or forming the government.

BJP remains strong in Garhwal, but Muslim factor is effective

There are 41 seats in 7 districts in Garhwal. It includes Chamoli, Dehradun, Haridwar, Pauri Garhwal, Tedhi Garhwal, Rudraprayag and Uttarkashi. BJP is stronger in Garhwal as compared to Kumaon. All the religious places of Uttarakhand come in this part. At the same time, the Muslim voter is also a big factor in Garhwal. Here in Haridwar, Muslims are the highest at 34%. There are less than here in Kumaon. This time the matter was hot in Haridwar because of the Parliament of Religions, its reflection is also visible in the voting percentage.

The big leadership of Congress in Uttarakhand came from Kumaon itself. While big leaders of BJP like BC Khanduri, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank come from Garhwal. However, in the last few years, the BJP has worked to move from Garhwal to Kumaon.

Congress voter does not spill in Garhwal, this time also shows the pattern

The Congress may be weak in Garhwal as compared to Kumaon, but the voter of the Congress in Garhwal is rarely scattered. Let us understand this from the results of 2014 and 2019. In 2014, Congress took 5 seats and 32% votes from here. In the year 2019 also took 5 seats and 30% votes. Congress won the same seats both the times. Although this pattern did not show in the assembly elections, the vote percentage has been in the range of 30 to 33%.

Voting reduced in VIP seats of Uttarakhand

• Khatima (Udham Singh Nagar) – CM Pushkar Singh Dhami is the candidate from here. Last time 3% votes were cast, but this time voting ended only at 67.00.
• Lalkuan (Nainital) – This is the seat of former CM Harish Rawat. BJP’s Mohan Bisht is challenging. Last time 3% votes were cast, but this time only 67.05%.
• BJP state president and MLA Madan Kaushik is in the fray from Haridwar. He defeated Harish Rawat in the year 2017. Last time here 8% and this time 59.76% votes were cast.
• The state president of Congress from Srinagar (Pauri Garhwal) is Ganesh Godiyal. He is facing the current minister Dhan Singh Rawat. Last time 5% and this time also 56.85 votes were cast.
• Satpal Maharaj is a veteran BJP leader and current minister from Chaubattakhal (Pauri Garhwal). Here in 2017 46% votes were cast and this time 49% votes were cast.
• AAP’s CM candidate Col Ajay Kothiyal is contesting from Gangotri (Uttarkashi). BJP has fielded Suresh Chauhan. Last time here 0% and this time 64.69% votes were cast.

After the formation of Uttarakhand, in the year 2002, 54% of the votes were cast and the Congress government was formed, in 2007, 69% of the votes came and BJP came, in 2012, Congress got 66% votes and in 2017 BJP came to 64% of the votes. Now 60% in the year 2022. Votes are cast. Voting percentage is low, but more than 60 percent voting has taken place in five districts Haridwar, Nainital, Rudraprayag, Udham Singh Nagar and Uttarkashi. Out of this, 60 to 65 percent voting took place in urban areas like Nainital, Haridwar, Udham Singh. Power has changed every time in Uttarakhand. Every time the people of the state have voted to change the government, in such a situation, if there is an effect of anti-incumbency in these increased vote percentage, then there is an alarm bell for BJP.