E-Paper
Rains likely to affect poll percentage: parties
The Met Office in Chandigarh forecasts a moderate to heavy rains in the state during the day.
Rains on the polling day have made the leadership of both the ruling Congress and opposition Shiromani Akali Dal as they fear that a fall in voter turnout would mar their electoral fortunes.
The Met Office in Chandigarh has already forecasted a moderate to heavy rains in the state during the day.
While the SAD is of the opinion that the rain might have it's bearing on the voter turnout in urban areas, the ruling Congress claimed that the party-cadre would come out to vote despite inclement weather.
SAD general secretary Kanwaljit Singh said the downpour at several places on the polling day would affect the poll percentage in the urban areas.
"Rain is a natural process...No one can help it, but the Congressmen will come out and vote for the party candidates," Punjab Congress spokesman Rajpal Singh said.
However, both the major outfits contesting one of the most bitterly fought elections claimed that the voters are "enthusiastic".
"It is a heavy response from voters," Kanwaljit Singh said adding the rain had failed to dampen the spirits of the electors.
Meanwhile, the MET office said that Amritsar is drenched by 6.6 mm of rainfall, Ludhiana 20.2 mm and Patiala three mm.
Around 1.66 crore voters are expected to decide the political fortunes of 1,038 candidates in 115 out of 117 assembly constituencies.
Besides, voting is also taking place for high profile Amritsar Lok Sabha seat from where cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu is locked in battle of nerves against Surinder Singla of Congress.
