BJP cites long weekend, says defer October 1 Haryana assembly election | Chandigarh News – Times of India

GURGAON/CHANDIGARH: BJP and INLD have urged the Election Commission in separate letters to consider deferring the Oct 1 assembly polls in Haryana for a better turnout.
State BJP president Mohanlal Badoli wrote to the poll panel on Thursday and INLD’s Abhay Chautala on Saturday, pointing out that many voters might give the election a miss because Oct 1 is part of an extended weekend, during which they might leave their city for a holiday.This long break, Badoli wrote, might discourage people from returning to their respective constituencies just to cast their votes on Oct 1.
“Since that will be a long weekend, chances are high that many families might go out of the state. This will obviously affect the turnout,” Badoli said. Chautala apprehended a drop of 15% to 20% in turnout if the date is not changed.
On Aug 17, TOI had reported the long weekend from September 28 to October 2 raised apprehension about low voter turnout. With Oct 1 being a Tuesday – and a holiday on account of polling – and Oct 2 a national holiday for Gandhi Jayanti, people might leave the cities after taking a day off from work on the Monday in between (Sept 30).
Congress netas and Lok Sabha MPs Deepender Singh Hooda and Kumari Selja put out posts on X in which they attacked the BJP for seeking postponement as the latter feared defeat in the polls. “Sensing defeat, the ruling party is giving childish arguments. Because it has no issue, no work or achievement to tell the public and no 90 candidates to give tickets to. That is why BJP is conspiring to postpone the elections by making an excuse of holidays. Voters of Haryana are very aware,” Hooda wrote.
Observers believe BJP’s turnout concerns stem from the fact that most people who are likely to use the long weekend for a holiday are from urban areas, considered the party’s stronghold. In the general election earlier this year, BJP suffered a dent in its vote share, with Congress bagging 5 of 10 seats in the state.
In his letter, Badoli also referred to ‘Aasoj Amavasya’ on Oct 2, a key event for Bishnoi community members who attend a fair in Bikaner in Rajasthan. Since the fair attracts lakhs of devotees, many are likely to leave for Bikaner a day or two in advance. He said Punjab poll dates were also postponed in 2022 because of Ravidas Jayanti.