Fear of BJP brings out voter in boycott zone

In Habbakadal, a traditional boycott stronghold, the turnout of Sunday was twice that of last time — 20 per cent, after 5 per cent in 2002 and 11 in 2008.And many of those who voted said they did so to keep the BJP out.
“This is the first time we are voting. We have come to defeat the BJP candidate,” said Mehraj-u-din, 40, a shopkeeper at Ganpatyar.

The BJP has been banking on the boycott tradition, so that the migrant Hindu population’s vote would come into play. Of the 16,271 migrant voters, however, less than 5,000 had submitted the form mandatory for casting a vote, and only 2,817 actually voted. Besides, three Pandit candidates, including the BJP’s, are likely to divide their community’s vote.

The pitch for a boycott too was heard. “We want a boycott,” shouted a young group outside the polling station at 35 Basant Bagh. “It makes little difference to us who comes to power.”

The seat is represented by Shamima Firdous (National Conference), who is recontesting.