Bastar to decide fate of BJP, Congress in polls

Raipur, October 07

Whenever Chhattisgarh goes to assembly elections, BJP and Congress – the major contenders for power in state, know that their destiny lies in the hands of poor and deprived tribals living in naxal-dominated Bastar. Once again, the two parties are eyeing 12 assembly seats of Bastar division by making never-to-be-fulfilled-promise to innocent tribal people as a quid pro quo for their votes.

In last two elections, i.e. in 2003 and 2008, the BJP won nine and 11 seats in Bastar respectively. However, despite obtaining two more seats, the victory margin of the BJP candidates shrunk in 2008. The Congress alleges that the BJP’s 2008 victory in Bastar could happen due to latter’s pre-poll handshake with Maoists. The BJP rejects Congress’ charges and says it won previous polls on the basis of development works it did in the tribal region.

The Congress has already commenced its poll campaign in Bastar last month on September 26 with tribal convention that was addressed by its national vice president Rahul Gandhi and attended by massive crowd. A week after Gandhi’s rally, CM Raman Singh addressed Bastarians and assured them of bringing sea-change in the region through development.

The main issues in Bastar will be naxalism and development. In last 13 years, Maoists have expanded their domain in state. In Bastar, the naxals have escalated their activities at national highways. The most glaring example is May 25-naxal incident that killed 30 persons including senior Congress leaders. The tribals are also opposing industrialization in the region. Notably, Tata is establishing its steel plant in Lohandiguda (near Jagdalpur).  

The first phase polls will be held in 18 assembly seats – 12 of Bastar division and six of Rajnandgaon district on November 11. Among these seats, 12 are reserved (11 for scheduled tribe and one for scheduled caste) while six are unreserved.

Like Bastar, Rajnandgoan district is also a BJP’s stronghold area as the party won four out of six assembly seats there in last polls.

The CM’s fate too would be closed in electronic voting machines  on November 11 as he has indicated of contesting elections from Rajnandgaon city for the second consecutive time despite surmises that he might change the constituency after Congress claiming sympathy wave in its favour in wake of its former MLA Uday Mudliyar's killing in May 25-naxal incident. The Congress has hinted of giving ticket to Mudliyar’s spouse from Rajnandgaon city.

The 18 assembly constituencies where first phase of elections will be conducted are - Khairagarh, Dongargarh, Rajnandgaon, Dongarhgaon, Khujji, Mohla-Manpur (all under Rajnandgaon district), Antagarh, Bhanupratappur, Kanker, Keshkal, Kondagaon, Narayanpur, Bastar, Jagdalpur, Chitrakot, Dantewada, Bijapur and Konta (all under Bastar division).