Chhattisgarh Assembly Election 2018: Congress grabbed 15 of 18 seats in Naxal areas

In Naxal-affected areas in Chhattisgarh, Congress grabbed 15 seats out of 18 constituencies compared to 12 in last assembly polls in 2013. Contrary to it, BJP lost four seats in the Naxal areas as out of 18 constituencies, they only managed to get two seats.

At Bastar, considered the heartland of Naxals, Congress candidate Baghel Lakheshwar won by 33, 471 votes. However, in 2013, the margin of win was by 19168 votes.

Similarly, at Chitrakot, Deepak Baij of Congress won by 17,770 votes this assembly polls and in 2013 he won by 12,329 votes. At Dongargaon, Daleshwar Sahu of Congress won by 19,083 votes compared to 1698 votes he won in 2013.

Interestingly at Bijapur, Congress candidate Vikram Mandavi defeated sitting BJP legislator Mahesh Gagda by 21,584 votes. In 2013, Gagda had won by 9487 votes.

Congress attributes win in these areas for renominating its nine sitting MLAs. It also attributes the sweep in Naxal areas to increase in voter turn out. A voter turnout of 76.28% was recorded in the first phase of elections in Chhattisgarh covering 18 assembly seats.