High polling puts bigwigs' seats at risk

MUMBAI: High polling percentage doesn���t necessarily enthuse everyone. This is true especially for leaders from the western Maharashtra. Almost all constituencies from the region that have recorded above 70% turnout should sound alarm bells for many established leaders.

The polling was particularly high in constituencies represented by heavyweight leaders. History shows that high to very high polling goes against the establishment. This election may also throw up similar results. For example, state home minister Jayant Patil is contesting from Islampur near Sangli that recorded 75% voting. Challenging Mr Patil���s iron grip over the region is Vaibhav Naikwadi, son of a former popular Leftist leader.

Major opposition parties like the Shiv Sena and the BJP too have withdrawn their candidates in support of Mr
Naikwadi. All this may make things difficult for Mr Patil. Tasgaon-Kavathe Mahankal, a stone���s throw away from Islampur, has a popular representative in RR Patil. This time, the former home minister may find the going tough, thanks to an enthusiastic voter turnout.

Bordering Sangli is Shirala, represented by Congress��� Shivajirao Naik. This one too saw a 75% polling. Revenue minister Patangrao Kadam, the Congress heavyweight and one-time contender for the chief minister���s post, is in the fray from Palus, adjacent to Shirala and Islampur. Palus too has seen 75% polling.

Patan, which is traditionally represented by Vikramsinh Patanakar, former minister and NCP veteran, has recorded 70% polling. Challenging him is Shiv Sena���s Shivajiraje Desai. While Miraj witnessed a 67% turnout as the communal riots just before the polls might have kept some voters away.

Karad North and Karad South recorded 66% and 65% polling, respectively. Congress heavyweight and former minister Vilaskaka Patil is fighting this seat. Other constituencies in the periphery saw voting on an equal scale. Man recorded 75%, Koregaon 65% and Wai 70%. From Koregaon, NCP veteran Shalinitai Patil was in the ring, while Congress senior leader Madan Bhosale contested from Wai.