Women voters hold key in Himachal

Shimla: While the exit polls have already predicted a comfortable win for the BJP in Himachal Pradesh, a state where the party had returned to power in 2017 assembly polls, it's the women power which holds the key for the winning candidates.

The women have participated in the elections quite overwhelmingly, taking a big jump from 52 per cent vote turn-out in 2014 polls, to a record 74 per cent as per data available with the Election Commission here.

Of total 53.30 lakh registered voters, 38.02 lakh exercised their franchise in four Parliamentary constituencies. The total number of female voters, who reached the polling booths was 73,000 more than their total male counterparts.

"An overall female voters' turn-out has made a record of sorts in Himachal Pradesh, which is 74.38 per cent against 70.16 per cent male voters. One constituency – Hamirpur has as high as 76.70 per cent against 68.57 per cent males," said a senior official of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) office.

Of total 9,71,961 voters who cast their votes in Hamirpur, the number of women voters was 5,13,929 against 4,58,029.

Besides Hamirpur, another Lok Sabha constituency where the women have come out in large number happens to be Mandi. Here, 74.51 per cent of women voted in the May 19 poll against 72.28 per cent male voters. The percentage of women voters in Kangra was against high as 77.42 per cent.

In 2014 polls, the women voters polling percentage was barely 52 per cent.

What does this indicate? The poll analysts are linking the participation of such a high number of women voters to mobilisation by the potential winners. Since Hamirpur, Mandi and Kangra have the highest number of serving and retired soldiers and para-military personnel families, the trend is quite predictable.

"Traditionally women folks have been voting in good number in the constituency. This time Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pulwama were biggest factors. Anurag Thakur, sitting MP, had also focussed on women voters – who never miss a chance to go to the booth. His personal contact programme has been a big draw in the area," admits BJP vice-president Ganesh Dutt.

Ironically, Shimla Parliamentary constituency, which saw a battle between two 'Faujis" --- Col (Rtd) Dhani Ram Shandil of the Congress , a two-time former MP and BJP's Suresh Kashyap, a retired Indian Air Force (IAF) non-commissioned officer, had much lower polling percentage as compared to Hamirpur, Mandi and Kangra.

It was 71.64 per cent female voters against 73.59 per cent males. Though impressive but less than other constituencies.

The Congress continued to maintain that the party will do well in the poll notwithstanding the exit polls.

"We have worked on the ground. The people don't trust Modi anymore. There was also no wave as compared to 2014. So, the exit poll will stand in our way," says PCC president Kuldeep Rathore.

He advised the party workers not to get mislead or demoralised by media propaganda favouring Modi.