RAIPUR: The None Of The Above (NOTA) option had left its impact in as many as 67 Assembly seats in the 2013 Chhattisgarh election. In fact, NOTA came third in as many as 34 seats, and was at number four in other 33 constituencies. It also played a role in victory of some Chhattisgarh ministers such as Bhaiyalal Rajwade, who won from Baikunthpur by 1,063 votes. The same seat had 3,265 NOTA votes. Similarly, food minister Punnulal Mohile won Mungeli by 2,745 votes, while NOTA got 5,025 votes.
Importantly, NOTA secured a total of 3.07 % of the total eligible votes in Chhattisgarh, while the difference in the voting percentage between the BJP and the Congress was merely 0.77 per cent.
But this time, the experts are divided on whether the NOTA will continue to have the same impact. “Earlier, there was a bipolar contest. Now, former CM Ajit Jogi-led pre-poll alliance and the AAP might offer the people with options. So NOTA, which was a novelty in 2013, will not remain so effective now,” said Sushil Trivedi, former state election commissioner.
But, educationist Jawahar Surisetti felt NOTA would remain a powerful voice of the disgruntled. “The major political parties have left the public in shambles. Since the voters consist of many educated youths, they will neither go for the devil and the deep sea. So, NOTA will have a say,” he asserted.
Nevertheless, NOTA is seen to have an impact in Chhattisgarh where the political fortunes of candidates are decided by narrow margins. “NOTA is not the solution. It was more out of curiosity rather than resentment that the people opted for NOTA in 2013. The voters will exercise the choice but it will be minimal this time,” said political commentator Ashok Tomar.