The Mumbai effect? Delhi's turnout 60% in Assembly polls

NEW DELHI: Delhi turned out in strength to vote in its hardfought election with long queues at polling stations everywhere, including in leafy colonies that are not always enthusiastic about their tryst with democracy.

Turnout hovered at 60%, a sharp six per cent increase on 2003. Significantly , the turnout was a dismal 43% in the MCD elections in April last year.

The surge ��� as city political circles are calling it ��� is being interpreted differently by the main contenders. The BJP sees the high turnout, particularly in middle class areas, as the ���Mumbai effect��� .

The Congress is pinning its hopes on the ���poor��� vote. But Congress insiders admit that high polling could be ominous for the ruling party.

Elections tend to throw up surprises and December 8 will reveal how the city���s ���third force��� , the BSP, has fared. But on a sunny Saturday, the festival of democracy was in full swing, with its north-eastern and north-western parts registering the highest voting. Rural clusters saw queues building up from morning. Overall, 45% of the electorate had voted by 1.30 pm.

In 2003, Delhi polled 54.42 % and while the final figures are yet to come in, Delhi chief electoral officer Satbir Silas Bedi said the turnout was around 60%. She said the percentage may climb higher. In 1998, the Capital had polled a mere 48.99%. To put it differently, Pappu did finally exercise his franchise and pass the test.