MH-NOTA

Maha LS poll: Slight increase in NOTA in 2019
    Mumbai, May 24 (PTI) The number of people who opted
for NOTA (none of the above) in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in
Maharashtra was slightly higher when compared to the 2014
polls, EC data revealed.
    The state recorded 4,86,902 NOTA votes, up from the
4,83,459 in the 2014 polls.
    In this year's Lok Sabha polls, Palghar Lok Sabha
constituency recorded the highest number of NOTA votes -
29,479 - followed by Naxal affected Gadchiroli-Chimur which
saw 24,599 voters opting for NOTA.
    In the 2018 Lok Sabha bypoll in Palghar, 16,884 votes
recorded in favour of NOTA.
    "In 2014, Palghar was won by BJP's Chintaman Wanga,
who died couple of years back due to cardiac arrest. The BJP
was not keen on fielding his son Shrinivas, but Shiv Sena
suddenly decided to nominate him. To counter it, BJP inducted
former Congress MLA Rajendra Gavit and ensured his victory," a
political analyst said.
    "It was thought that BJP-Sena would contest elections
separately but surprisingly, both the parties patched up and
the BJP ceded Palghar to the Sena. It was expected that Sena
would field Shrinivas Wanga, but instead Gavit joined Sena and
contested the seat. With such a circus, it is no surprise
Palghar voters chose NOTA in such large numbers," he added.
    Apart from Palghar, Gadchiroli-Chimur (24,599),
Nandurbar (21,925) and Thane (20,426) Lok Sabha constituencies
also saw a sizable number of voters opting for NOTA.
    While Palghar and Thane were won by the Shiv Sena,
Gadchiroli-Chimur and Nandurbar were retained by BJP.
    Out of 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra, as many as
21 constituencies reported more than 10,000 voters opting for
NOTA, including all six Lok Sabha seats from Mumbai and urban
Lok Sabha constituencies such as Thane, Kalyan, Raigad and
Pune.
    Incidentally, Nagpur, a major urban Lok Sabha seat,
the number of people who went for NOTA was reportedly only
4,578. PTI ND
BNM BNM