Explanation:

Let’s break down the statements:

- Let Saral’s votes be S.

- Arjun got 50% more than Saral: Arjun’s votes = S + 0.5S = 1.5S

- Saral got 2% less than Bhaskar:

- Bhaskar’s votes = S / 0.98 = approx 1.0204S

- The difference between Bhaskar and Saral = 1.0204S – S = 0.0204S = 1296

- So, S = 1296 / 0.0204 = 63,529.41

Now,

- Arjun’s votes = 1.5 × 63,529.41 = 95,294.12

- Bhaskar’s votes = 1.0204 × 63,529.41 ˜ 64,825.53

- Difference between Arjun and Bhaskar = 95,294.12 – 64,825.53 = 30,468.59

- Half of this difference = 30,468.59 / 2 ˜ 15,234

Looking at the options:

- 1, 38888

- 2, 13988

- 3, 7766

- 4, 15228

The correct answer is Option 4, 15228 (closest and matches the calculation).