Chhattisgarh's political arena heats up as a robust 68.15% voter turnout in the second assembly election phase sets the stage for high-stakes battles, diverse demographics, and intense speculation fueled by exit polls.
A voter turnout of 68.15 per cent marked the second phase of Chhattisgarh assembly elections for 70 constituencies on November 17, held under tight security with a significant deployment of police and paramilitary personnel. The preceding first phase, conducted on November 7, saw a robust voter participation of 78 per cent, covering 20 seats in the Naxal-affected state, which holds a 90-member assembly.
This electoral phase played a decisive role in shaping the destiny of prominent political figures, including Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, his deputy T S Singh Deo, eight state ministers, and four Members of Parliament, underlining its critical importance in the political landscape of Chhattisgarh.
Comparatively, the 2018 assembly polls recorded a 76.62 percent voter turnout in the second phase across 72 seats. However, in 2023, two constituencies from the previous second phase were shifted to the initial polling on November 7, introducing a nuanced change in the electoral dynamics and distribution of voter participation across phases.
Vote counting in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, alongside Rajasthan, Telangana, and Mizoram, is slated for December 3.
While every constituency plays a pivotal role in shaping the state's governance, the spotlight during these elections fell on certain high-profile battles. Notable among these were Patan, the home constituency of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel; Rajnandgaon, the seat previously held by former Chief Minister Raman Singh; and Ambikapur, a tribal-dominated constituency currently under the stewardship of Deputy Chief Minister T S Singh Deo.
Top Five Constituencies Of Chhattisgarh
1. Patan: Bhupesh Baghel Faces Nephew Vijay Baghel in Tightly Contested Battle
In the Patan constituency, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel encounters a formidable challenge from his nephew, Lok Sabha MP Vijay Baghel. The Baghel family rivalry adds intensity to the electoral duel, with both candidates having previously secured victories. Bhupesh Baghel's pro-farmer policies and handling of the COVID-19 pandemic contrast with Vijay Baghel's strong youth support and emotive connect with voters. This closely watched contest holds potential implications for Chhattisgarh's political landscape.
2. Ambikapur: T S Singh Deo vs. Rajesh Agarwal in Tribal-Dominated Showdown
Deputy Chief Minister T S Singh Deo, a three-time MLA and scion of a royal family, faces BJP's Rajesh Agarwal in the tribal-dominated Ambikapur constituency. Singh Deo, the wealthiest MLA in Chhattisgarh, contends against Agarwal's political experience and local support. This electoral clash holds significance for its impact on Ambikapur's development and the political stature of the contestants.
3. Raipur City South: BJP's Brijmohan Agrawal vs. Congress's Mahant Ramsundar Das
In the BJP stronghold of Raipur City South, seven-term MLA Brijmohan Agrawal defends his seat against Congress's Mahant Ramsundar Das. Agrawal's experience is tested by Das's charisma and popularity, as the religious figure challenges the incumbent's incumbency advantage. The electoral outcome is anticipated to be closely contested, shaping the narrative for BJP and Congress in this crucial assembly seat.
4. Konta: Kawasi Lakhma, Soyam Muka, and Manish Kunjam Vie for ST-Reserved Seat
The Konta Assembly constituency, reserved for Scheduled Tribes, witnesses a compelling battle between Congress's Kawasi Lakhma, BJP's Soyam Muka, and CPI-M's Manish Kunjam. Lakhma, seeking his sixth consecutive term, faces challenges from Muka's grassroots appeal and Kunjam's charismatic leadership. This final showdown on December 3 holds significance for the tribal community's representation and the political dynamics in Chhattisgarh.
5. Rajnandgaon: Raman Singh Confronts Giris Devangan in Chief Ministerial Battle
Incumbent Chief Minister Raman Singh faces a robust challenge in the Rajnandgaon constituency from Giris Devangan, a close confidant of CM Bhupesh Baghel. Singh, a six-term MLA, confronts tough competition from Devangan, Chairman of the State Mineral Development Corporation. A victory for Congress could signal a shift in Chhattisgarh's political dynamics, marking this battle as a crucial indicator of the state's political trajectory.
A staggering 1,181 candidates vied for victory in the 2023 Chhattisgarh assembly elections. Notably, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Gondwana Ganatantra Party (GPP) formed an alliance to contest the elections. While the primary battle unfolded between the ruling Congress and the BJP on most seats, a few witnessed a three-way tussle involving former CM Ajit Jogi's party and the BSP. Adding another layer to the complexity, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) entered the fray, fielding candidates in 53 seats, with the extent of its impact yet to be determined.
In the Chhattisgarh Assembly Elections of 2023, a total of 1,63,14,479 voters, comprising 81,41,624 men, 81,72,171 women, and 684 individuals of the third gender, were eligible to exercise their franchise across 18,833 polling booths.
Recalling the 2018 assembly elections, the Congress party secured a resounding victory, clinching 68 of the 90 seats. In contrast, the BJP's tally plummeted to a mere 15 seats, while the JCC (J) and the BSP secured 5 and 2 seats, respectively. Subsequent by-polls bolstered the Congress's standing, bringing its total in the outgoing assembly to 71 seats. As Chhattisgarh awaits the results of the 2023 elections, the political landscape appears poised for potential shifts and strategic realignments.
In the closely contested Chhattisgarh elections, early exit polls indicated a potential edge for the Congress party over the BJP. In 2018, the Congress had secured a significant victory, claiming 68 out of 90 seats in the state's assembly.
According to the India Today-Axis My India poll, the Congress was expected to secure between 40 and 50 seats, while the BJP was projected to win between 36 and 46 seats. The agency foresaw a possibility of 1 to 5 seats for other parties, raising the prospect of a hung assembly. The predicted vote share for the Congress was around 45 per cent, with the BJP trailing at 41 per cent, and other parties expected to garner a 17 per cent vote share.
On a different note, the TV5 News Exit Poll suggested a more decisive victory for the Congress, estimating a range of 54 to 66 seats, while the BJP was anticipated to secure 29 to 39 seats.