Saffron alliance has reason to be upbeat,but civic polls will be different,say experts

Even as BJP candidate Bhimrao Tapkir emerged winner in Khadakwasla bypoll by defeating NCPs Harshada Wanjale,political experts feel that although this cannot be considered a trend-setter,the saffron parties would definitely try to capitalise on this win in the upcoming civic polls.

Even as BJP candidate Bhimrao Tapkir emerged winner in Khadakwasla bypoll by defeating NCPs Harshada Wanjale,political experts feel that although this cannot be considered a trend-setter,the saffron parties would definitely try to capitalise on this win in the upcoming civic polls.

Suhar Palshikar,senior political analyst and professor of politics and public administration at University of Pune,said the BJPs win cannot be termed as a trend,though it is a partial defeat forAjit Pawar. Considering the voting pattern,the turnout was less as the NCP failed to mobilise the voters. Also,the Congress did not come out in full support of NCP because of which there was less voter turnout,he said.

According to Palshikar,this result reflects the mood among rural voters,but the same would not be applicable in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections. This is a morale booster for BJP and the saffron parties will surely try to capitalise on this win in the 2012 civic elections,but things will be much more complicated then, he said.

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Suhas Kulkarni,editor-director,Unique Features and News Pvt Ltd,also said the Congress not coming out in full support in the election battleground was one of the main reasons of NCP’s defeat. As a fallout of BJPs win,the unity index of BJP,Shiv Sena,Republican Party of India and MNS has gone up and will be seen in the PMC elections as well.

People had voted for the late Ramesh Wanjale simply because he was seen as a symbol against the NCP. Similarly,when Harshada Wanjale accepted NCP ticket,people decided to vote her out and hence Bhimrao Tapkir won, Kulkarni said. This trend of going against NCP will be reflected in the PMC polls thus shattering NCPs dream of single-handed control of PMC.

Narendra Dedge,who works as a village developer with city-based voluntary organisation Rural Relations had conducted a survey before Khadakwasla bypoll and had predicted BJP’s win. The survey finding that there will be low voter turnout and it will work in favour of BJP was proved in the polls.

According to him,Harshada Wanjale failed to be objective about her decision to change the party also went against her.

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Saffron alliance has reason to be upbeat,but civic polls will be different,say experts

Even as BJP candidate Bhimrao Tapkir emerged winner in Khadakwasla bypoll by defeating NCPs Harshada Wanjale,political experts feel that although this cannot be considered a trend-setter,the saffron parties would definitely try to capitalise on this win in the upcoming civic polls.

Even as BJP candidate Bhimrao Tapkir emerged winner in Khadakwasla bypoll by defeating NCPs Harshada Wanjale,political experts feel that although this cannot be considered a trend-setter,the saffron parties would definitely try to capitalise on this win in the upcoming civic polls.