Haryana polls: Bookies in Bhiwani, Hansi say results would be unpredictable

HANSI/BHIWANI: Betting markets in Haryana are abuzz with activity with main political parties Congress, INLD, HJC and BJP fighting the October 15 polls on their own.

Bookies in the state's biggest and most notorious `satta bazaars' Bhiwani and Hansi, estimated to net a cool Rs 500 crore on poll betting, say results could go any way this time. Manoj Singhal, a local businessman in Bhiwani, who keeps tabs on swings in the `satta bazaar', said because BJP had no alliance with INLD or HJC, results would be unpredictable and the betting syndicate offered no clear picture.

Navin Kaushik, a Hansi businessman, said after the launch of poll campaign by all candidates, the `satta bazaar' gave almost equal seats to Congress, BJP and INLD. “In October's first week, the trends from the betting syndicate indicated INLD in leading position, but in the last three days, punters are placing money equally on INLD and BJP ,“ he said. Going by punter calculations, Congress is facing anti-incumbency .

Actual betting will start only after the Wednesday polls, said Jangvir Jolly of Hansi, and continue till the results are announced on October 19. A clearer picture would emerge then, he said, adding that the Hansi and Bhiwani `satta bazaars' were part of a network controlled by operators in Mumbai.

Chautala's turf, Uchana, where wife of Congress-turned BJP leader Birender Singh and INLD's MP Dushyant Chautala are in a tough contest, is one of the most popular among bookies and bets are placed eagerly on the outcome of this seat.

One of the bookies offered trends on Monday that punters had placed bets of 90:110 on BJP getting 37 seats, INLD 31, Congress 14, HJC 4 others 4.