Betting on cricket is passé for bookies. It's the current election season that seems to have become a more attractive proposition.
Stakes are high on the possible successor to the Mayawati-led
Bahujan Samaj Party government, which is facing the tough challenge to stage a comeback at the hustings. However, unlike elections in the past, the bookies are not favouring any party winning with a clear majority. This clearly indicates that even the betting market is resigned to the emergence of a hung assembly.
Sources close to those who are neck deep in the betting game (better known as 'satta') confide that the current projections showed
Samajwadi Party as the leader with 137-141 seats, followed by Bahujan Samaj Party with 118- 122 seats. The Congress is seen at number three position with 66-69 seats and the Bharatiya Janata Party is expected to trail behind with 52-56 seats.
Forp_advertise_div_1">But these figures may not remain steady for long. "As the polling days get closer and the five-phased poll comes to a close, speculation is bound to change," said an insider. "Well, it will very much like cricket, where the stakes alter ball after ball."
The only difference he sees between the game of cricket and the electoral battle is the extent of the stakes. "While in the last Word Cup the stakes in UP were as high as Rs 30 crore, around Rs 10 crore is riding on the UP polls."
"As of now, betting is low key with not more than Rs 1 crore at stake, but the figure is expected to change drastically in days to come," he said.
Interestingly, even the local police do not dispute these figures. "There is no denying that the 'satta' business thrives during elections. We have a special cell to look into the illegal 'satta' business and I am sure we will grab most of the bookies once they come out of their holes," said a top cop.
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