Lok Sabha election turnout dips in Madhya Pradesh, a first in 2 decades

The 2024 Lok Sabha election has begun with a puzzle - voting percentage has dropped for the first time in a LS poll in Madhya Pradesh in two decades, but neither BJP nor Congress seem worried.

The nearly 8% plunge in MP polling is far steeper than the national average drop this time.

Over past 20 years, Congress has had a stable 35% vote share in parliamentary elections while BJP has 55%. There are 7% fence-sitters who may go either way. Going by the turnout, either BJP has failed to achieve the 370-plus target or Congress's 35% vote share has been encroached upon.

State BJP media cell chief Ashish Agarwal said, "BJP's vote share is continuously growing in MP. The drop in turnout is because Congress' voters did not come out."

PCC chief spokesman Abbas Hafeez countered, "Congress sees this drop positively. It shows that the wave is now going against BJP."

But former CEC OP Rawat feels weather was a factor: " Heat makes it difficult for voters to step out."