Despite RSS Chief’s Advice to ‘Choose the Lesser Devil’, People Opted For NOTA in Huge Numbers in MP

New Delhi: Despite pleas from the RSS chief to not opt for None of the Above (NOTA) option, it has still emerged as the sixth most popular choice of voters in Madhya Pradesh. Rajasthan also witnessed the same scenario.

According to the latest data, NOTA has polled over 5.3 lakh votes, which is only below the votes garnered by the BJP, the Congress, the BSP, Independents, and the Gondwana Gantantra Party (GGP).

While, only a detailed seat wise analysis of the elections in MP will show how effectively this option was used.

What may be beyond doubt is the apprehension the BJP and RSS had about the popularity of NOTA dampening the possibilities of the saffron party candidates in the Assembly elections.

NOTA was mostly exercised by the upper castes and a section of the OBCs, who were angry at the BJP but did not want to vote for the Congress.

Several Rajput dominant villages in MP had put up signboards prohibiting the BJP candidates from entering their villages, and declaring support for NOTA.

Taking this as an indication, the RSS chief in his recent Vijaydashmi address to cadres exhorted them to ensure 100 percent turnout of voters. And exhorted the voters to "choose the lesser devil."

"In such a situation, non-voting or using the provision of NOTA goes in favour of the one who is most ineffective. So, 100 per cent voting is essential keeping in mind national interest as supreme without getting swayed by campaigns of all sides," he added.

Close to 4,67,580 people opted for NOTA, which is more than the total votes bagged by the CPM in Rajasthan.