Communal feelings were at the forefront in these seats while other issues had gone into background.

It would be worth mentioning here that western UP was worst affected during Muzaffarnagar riots. More than 70 persons had lost their lives and several thousands were displaced and took shelter in the refugee camps.

Voting pattern at Muzaffarnagar, Saharanpur, Baghpat, Meerut, Kairana and other areas made it clear that those who were instrumental in arousing communal passions through hate speeches, might gain in these areas.

It is noted that senior BJP leader and in charge of UP affairs and close lieutenant of Narendra Modi, Amit Shah had made communal speech before the polls in western UP. The other BJP leaders, who were booked for the communal riots, were also active with supporters in these areas.

Similarly Congress candidate Imran Masood from Saharanpur, which recorded very high turnout at 74 per cent - highest since independence, had also made provocative speech and was also arrested. Prominent Islamic educational and religious centre Deoband is also situated in Saharanpur. The political analysts opine that Congress may gain in this district.

On the other hand, Samajwadi Party which had lost ground in western UP after mishandling of Muzaffarnagar riots by Akhilesh Yadav government, appears to have recovered after communal speeches made by various leaders including cabinet minister Mohd Azam Khan. The political analysts opine that minority community is returning back to SP, but not to the extent as was the case in assembly polls.

How heavy polling is going to help undisputed Jat leader and president RLD Ajit Singh is yet to be seen in poll results. Although there was heavy polling in Jatland but whether it went with BJP or remained with Ajit Singh in Baghpat or helped Bollywood actress Jaya Prada in Bijnor, is still being debated. Whether Muslims remained with Jats for Ajit Singh, is also to be seen.

Seasoned observers point out that heavy turnout was noticed in minority community as well. if there is no split in minority community votes, then heavy polling could bring surprise results.

People have noticed division in dalit votes. The majority went with BSP but BJP also gained in the name of Hindutva in post riots situation. So much so, powerful Jat community started depending on dalits to work in their fields.

Enthused by the heavy polling, BJP state president Luxmikant Vajpayee said that there would be clean sweep for BJP in the region and the party will win all the 10 seats. He further said that people of western UP defeated communal forces.

RLD state president Munna Singh Chauhan said that heavy polling confirmed the defeat of BJP and communal forces. He claimed that there was tremendous enthusiasm in farmers and minorities in favour of his party which will ensure win for Ajit Singh and other candidates.

Congress spokesman Satyadeo Triapthi claimed that the party will win two seats out of ten that went to polls. According to Satyadeo Tripathi, Congress will win in Saharanpur and Ghaziabad where Bollywood star Raj Babbar was the candidate. He also said that RLD will win Baghpat and Bijnor seats.

Bahujan Samaj Party state president Ram Achal Rajbhar also claimed that his party will win more than five seats this time. He said that BSP had won five seats last time and there was wave in favour of his party in the current Lok Sabha polls. (IPA)