Udupi/Mangalore: Voting Picks up Pace - Naxal-affected Areas Lead by Example

Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje and Arun Uppinangady
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi/Mangalore (GA)

Udupi, Apr 30: The initial lethargy shown by voters to exercise their franchise has gradually taken back seat, as polling gathered momentum as the day progressed. While there was quite low turnout in the early hours in Mangalore and Udupi-Chikmagalur constituencies, the later hours witnessed some brisk polling. Latest reports reaching Daijiworld office said that about 20% polling was reported in Udupi.

Quite surprisingly, the naxal-infested areas, which usually report low turnout, threw up reversing trend as about 50% polling was reported from a few booths located in Karkala taluk.  Most of the naxal-infested areas come under the Udupi-Chikmagalur constituency and there were apprehensions that voters may refrain from exercising their franchise. But the voters have surprised not only the political leaders, but even the naxals.

Meanwhile state BJP president and Udupi-Chikmagalur constituency candidate D V Sadanand Gowda visited naxal-affected area and exhorted people to caste their votes. His gesture did have an impact as it boosted the confidence of people who always live under constant fear of naxalites as well as ANF.

Meanwhile in Mangalore, polling was peaceful and people were seen rushing to the poll booths to exercise their votes. While in some booths long queues were found, in other booths turnout was low. Voters were seen complaining that they had to wait for over 90 minutes to cast their votes and that the queue was moving very slowly, as compared to other booths located in the same premises.

Even the rural areas which usually gather pace in the later hours, reported brisk polling buy 11.30 am.