Bengaluru, April 26: As polling continued in 14 Lok Sabha constituencies across Karnataka, voter turnout surpassed the 50% mark, according to election officials. With less than three hours remaining until the polls closed, reports indicated an overall turnout of approximately 50.93%, reported Varthabharati.
The highest voter participation was recorded in Dakshina Kannada with 58.76%, followed closely by Udupi-Chikmagalur at 57.49%. However, Bangalore Central saw the lowest turnout at 40.10%, with Bangalore South and Bangalore North at 40.77% and 41.12%, respectively.
In the midst of the electoral process, an unfortunate incident occurred in Indiganatta village under the Mahadeshwara Hills Gram Panchayat administration limits in Hanur taluk. Government officials, including Tahsildar Guruprasad and Taluk Panchayat Chief Officer Umesh, along with a police inspector, were injured when attempting to pacify a group of disgruntled voters who had declared a boycott of the polls. The protesters went as far as destroying the polling booth and an electronic voting machine (EVM), leaving one voter injured.
The unrest stemmed from the villagers’ dissatisfaction with the lack of infrastructure in their area. Despite efforts by officials to persuade them to participate in the electoral process, the group remained resolute in their decision to boycott the polls.
The constituencies witnessing polling include Udupi-Chikmagalur, Dakshina Kannada, Chitradurga, Tumkur, Mysore, Chamarajanagar, Bangalore Rural, Bangalore North, Bangalore Central, Bangalore South, and Chikkballapur.
In another development, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah dismissed the notion of a “Modi wave” in the state, asserting instead that there is strong support for the Congress government’s guarantee schemes. He expressed confidence in the Congress party’s prospects, predicting victory in about 20 out of the total 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka.
Amidst the electoral fervor, Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly U T Khader exercised his franchise along with his family at Ranthadka Higher Primary School in Jaradagudde near Boliyar in Mangaluru.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a verbal attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, suggesting that he is apprehensive and might even resort to tears on stage.
The Karnataka Lok Sabha polls continue to unfold against a backdrop of high voter turnout and sporadic incidents of unrest, underscoring the significance of democratic engagement in the region.
