Smaller parties may eat into vote share of biggies

BHOPAL

: This

election

,

smaller parties

are gearing up to make a bigger dent in vote shares of the ruling and the major opposition party.


Barring BJP, Congress and BSP, there are three prominent

parties

in the frayall smaller ones. The three: Gondwana Gantantra Party (GGP) has fielded 77 candidates, AAP 215

candidates

and SAPAKS 135 candidates.

GGP

has fielded majority of candidates in tribal Gondwana belt spanning across Mahakaushal region and SAPAKS has fielded majority of its candidates in Vindhya and Chambal regions.

While GGP contested polls for several terms, it had managed to secure 3.5% votes in areas it fielded candidate and overall around 1% votes in 2013 polls. SAPAKS is hoping to tap into the anger of upper caste voters against caste-based reservation by fielding candidates in areas where caste is a dominant factor.

AAP, which is contesting biggest elections in its history anywhere so far has fielded candidates in 215 out of 230 seats across the state. Its leaders are hopeful the party will spring a surprise in this election.

GGP whose area of operation is mainly concentrated in Gondwana after JAYS (another tribal outfit that had earlier declared to contest polls from Malwa Nimar area) founder Hiralal Alawa moving to Congress—is eyeing seats of Malwa region and fielded candidates there. In all areas, from where GGP is contesting, are predominantly known as Congress bastions-—thus the party is likely to make a dent in Congress’s vote shares.

SAPAKS is gaining support from the areas where BJP is effective or a major chunk of SAPAKS supporters were once a part of BJP, said sources. AAP is the third party which is likely to cut votes of both Congress and BJP in some areas of its influence, sources said. “We will become first state recognised party of the state after this elections and will definitely get more than 4% overall votes this time, besides getting 10 to 15 MLAs,” says GGP national convener Gulzar Singh Markam. “With JAYS chief contesting on Congress ticket, we have an edge in Malwa-Nimar,” Markam said.

SAPAKS convener Hiralal Trivedi believes the next government would be formed by their support. “Around 135 candidates are in fray from SAPAKS. We are trying to ensure maximum get Jhoola symbol. There are problems at some places due its unavailability, though. We are also supporting some independents, if they are included we will have around 200 candidates,” Trivedi said.

“Our votes are evenly distributed. Previously, there were only two parties. Now, people have understood the reality of both parties. We are offering alternative politics and the response is overwhelming. Party would not only get prominent

vote share

, but will also get significant number of MLAs,” AAP state convener Alok Agarwal said.

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