With Punjab recording a turnout of 78 per cent in the January 30 Assembly polls and with all parties claiming that the huge voter turnout will benefit them,candidates contesting the 117 seats were faced with a sleepless night before March 6 the counting day. While the Akali Dal-BJP had claimed that the high turnout was due to the pro-incumbency factor,Congress was sure that the turnout pointed to anti-incumbency. Peoples Party of Punjab,on the other hand,claimed people wanted to get rid of both Congress and SAD-BJP. The month long gap between polling and counting day has also added to the anxiety. Candidates were even contacting the media to discuss about their winning prospectus. The first-time voters and voters belonging to upper middle class,who have voted heavily,will make and break the winning prospectus of any party this time, said a Congress candidate.
