When more than 70 percent candidates are in the fray in elections, the game gets spoiled.
– Photo: Amar Ujala
Expansion
After the withdrawal of nominations in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections, the status of the candidates contesting in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections has become clear. This time around 2533 candidates are trying their luck on 230 seats in the state. Till October 30, 4359 nomination papers were filed. That means 58 percent nominations will remain till the last stage. The enrollment figures of the last twenty years tell a lot. If we look at the trend, it is clear that whenever less than 30 percent of the nominations are withdrawn, the ruling party has suffered a loss. Let us understand how the nomination trend was.
Effect visible in 2003
Twenty years ago, before the elections held in 2003, there was a Congress government in the state. In 2003, 3057 nomination papers were filled. After the date of withdrawal of nominations, 2171 candidates were in the fray. That means about 29 percent nomination papers were withdrawn. It can also be said that 71 percent of the candidates stood firm in voting. When the results came, the Congress government changed and the BJP came to power.
There was no change in power in 2008 and 2013
If we talk about 2008 elections, 4576 nominations were filed in this election. After withdrawal of nominations and scrutiny, 3179 candidates were left. Meaning, about 69 percent candidates contested the elections. That means more than 30 percent of the nominations were withdrawn. As a result, BJP remained in power. The situation was almost similar in 2013 also. In 2013, 3741 nominations were filed. Out of these, 2483 candidates were in the fray till the last moment. Here also about 69 percent candidates stood firm. More than 30 percent of the nominations were withdrawn. This time also BJP was in power.
Effect visible again in 2018
In the 2018 elections, the nomination figures again looked like 2003. 3948 nominations were filed in this election, after the scheduled time 2899 candidates were in the fray to contest for the fort. That means 73 percent candidates reached the polls. This time also only 27 percent nominations were withdrawn. That is, data that harms power. When the results came, the government changed. It was only after the upheaval that Congress formed the government. However, this government could last only for 15 months.