Record turnout in AP raises hopes in rival camps

 The whopping turnout of nearly 80 per cent in Seemandhra region of Andhra Pradesh has come as manna from heaven for the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and YSR Congress (YSRC). The parties were worried about the outcome in the wake of alleged large-scale cross voting. 

While the poll percentage was 75.86 in 2009, it could cross 80 per cent this time. The poll percentage increased in every district except West Godavari.

Before polling, it was said anything more than 70 per cent will turn the tides against the YSRC which is dependent on the traditional vote bank than the votes of the middle and upper middle class, which favours TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu and BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. 

As the day progressed and the lines swelled with voters, particularly in the rural areas of the residual state, the additional poll percentage became a bone of contention.

“The additional poll percentage compared to that of 2009 is a clear indication that people in large numbers came out and voted for the TDP,” Naidu said on Thursday.

He reasoned out that the YSRC resorted to violence after few hours into polling, realising that there is a wave in favour of the TDP. “They tried to attack booths and terrify voters, however, they failed to do so as voters stood by the TDP,” Naidu said.