The turnout in the by-elections for two parliamentary and two of the four assembly constituencies on Sunday was unexpectedly low, making political experts foresee a close contest and thin victory margins when results are declared on June 5. According to experts, the margins will remain very thin due to low voting percentage at Banaskantha and Porbandar parliamentary constituencies as well as Dhoraji and Jetpur assembly seats, which are part of Porbandar Lok Sabha constituency.The polls are crucial for chief minister Narendra Modi to grow his stature in the national BJP and favourable results will add to his image. The Congress is keen to retain the seats as all the seats where by-polls were held had Congress leaders. At the end of the voting on Sunday, the fate of 33 candidates, including 12 of traditional rivals Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress, had been sealed in the four assembly and two parliamentary seats. Though voting started at 7 in the morning, the average turnout remained 37% in the six constituencies. Nearly 51% turnout was registered at four assembly constituencies and 34% at parliamentary constituencies. According to Election Commission (EC) sources, Banaskantha and Porbandar seats had very low turnout - nearly 38% and 30% respectively.  While Jetpur registered 45% and Dhoraji 33% voting, Morva Hadaf with 64% and Limbdi with 62% scored much better. “Low voter turnout means a close contest between BJP and Congress but we should not forget that in by-polls, people do not show interest like the general assembly polls. Hence, the result will tell the real picture,” said a source in BJP. “The low turnout at Porbandar, Dhoraji and Jetpur means BJP workers are not happy with the party candidates, especially Radadia family,” the source added. Commenting on high voting at Limbdi and Morva Hadaf, sources said, “The candidates at both the constituencies personally took a keen interest and aggressively followed the voters on Sunday. Hence, they saw high turnout.”Congress state-unit president Arjun Modhwadia said, “The voting of Porbandar constituency is abnormally low and it will bring a wave of change in favour of Congress. People will see a different result on June 5.”On the other hand, BJP president RC Faldu said, “The low turnout means BJP is definitely sweeping all the seats. Congress workers have not shown any interest and 80% votes were cast in favour of BJP.”The by-polls were necessitated as Vitthal Radadia had resigned as Porbandar MP and Dhoraji MLA while his son Jayesh Radadia quit as Jetpur MLA as they defected from Congress to BJP. Banaskantha and Morva Hadaf by-elections were held due to the death of Congress leaders Mukesh Gadhvi and Savita Khant respectively. Limbdi bypoll was held as Congress MP Soma Patel resigned as MLA.

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