Chandigarh:Rains on the polling day have made the leadership of both the ruling Congressand opposition Shiromani Akali Dal as they fear that a fall in voter turnoutwould mar their electoral fortunes.

The Met Office here has already forecasted a moderate to heavy rains in thestate during the day.

While the SAD is of the opinion that the rain might have its bearing on thevoter turnout in urban areas, the ruling Congress claimed that the party-cadrewill come out to vote despite inclement weather.

SAD general secretary Kanwaljit Singh said the downpour at several places onthe polling day will affect the poll percentage in the urban areas.

"Rain is a natural process...No one can help it, but the Congressmen willcome out and vote for the party candidates," Punjab Congress spokesmanRajpal Singh said.

However, both the major outfits contesting one of the most bitterly foughtelections claimed that the voters are "enthusiastic".

"It is a heavy response from voters," Kanwaljit Singh said adding thethe rain had failed to dampen the spirits of the electors.

Meanwhile, the MET office said that Amritsar isdrenched by 6.6 mm of rainfall, Ludhiana 20.2 mmand Patialathree mm.

Around 1.66 crore voters are expected to decide the political fortunes of 1,038candidates in 115 out of 117 assembly constituencies.

Besides, voting is also taking place for high profile Amritsar Lok Sabha seatfrom where cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu is locked in battleof nerves against Surinder Singla of Congress.