Slums ‘outvote’ upscale localities

Till 11.30 am,around 20 per cent polling was recorded. By 1.30 pm,it increased to 36 and by 3.30 pm,went up to 42 per cent. Municipal Commissioner Asheesh Sharma said,“Polling was by and large peaceful.”

The contrast in voter behaviour was most clear in upmarket Pradhikaran and the slum-dominated Nigdi gaonthan area just across the road. While around 30 per cent voting was recorded in Jnana Prabodhini School by 3.30 pm,37 and 48 per cent was recorded in two booths of Panel 12 (Madhukar Pawle school) in Nigdi gaonthan. In Pradhikaran area dominated by bungalows and highrise apartments,there was no voter enthusiasm. Voters from slums in Nigdi,Dapodi and Mahatma Phule Nagar came in droves to booths.

In the most sensitive Ashok Theatre panel in Pimpri,extra police force was deployed as the area has remained tense throughout the campaign and it was no different on polling day. What compounded the problem was selection of a civic school near Meenakshi Apartments. Three small classrooms had been converted into three booths,which were jammed by voters. The Sindhi community,which has a strong presence here with 9,000 voters,turned up in large numbers,women outnumbering men. While Congress candidate Amar Mulchandani stood at the gates with one hand in a sling-he was involved in a clash during campaigning-NCP candidate Dabbu Aswani paced around. In Sangvi,two groups clashed around 1 am. The rivarly between Shitoles and Dhores here is widely known.