Battle hots up for north chhattisgarh where BJP & Cong shared the spoils in 2008.
After the first phase of polling in 18 constituencies which saw huge voter turnout, political parties are now concentrating their might in the north Chhattisgarh where 72 seats are at stake.
In the 2008 elections, the BJP and the Congress had shared the spoils almost equally here with nearly negligible difference in the vote share. An edge to any party in the vast plains of north can help it form the government.
The two parties seem to be in close fight on seven seats falling in the 120 km radius of Raipur – Aarang, Mahasamund, Bhilai, Vaishali Nagar, Dharsiwa, Bemetra and Saja – where dna tried to gauge mood of the voters.
While Raman Singh still enjoys a clean image in most pockets, the magic of providing rice at Re 1 and 2 through well-oiled public distribution system (PDS) is withering away because of high prices of other essential commodities. Many voters blame it on Ramans government. “If he can provide us cheap rice, then can’t he give us cheap onion, potato, cooking oil and haldi? Rice alone doesn’t make a meal you need other things as well,” said Panchram of Khora village in Aarang constituency.
He belongs to the Satnami community that constitutes 45 % of population in Aarang and 15 to 16 per cent in north Chhattisgarh. Satnamis also blame Raman’s government for reducing their reservation by 4% to 14% from 16%.
However, others belonging to Chandrakar, a sub caste of Kurmi, and a sizeable Sahu community think the other way and blame the Congress-led central government for their woes.
Another thing that can put Raman’s government in a tight spot in the north is the local anti-incumbency. Besides, the Congress has managed to tackle its rebels because of direct intervention by Sonia Gandhi.
The BJP knows it has to pull all the tricks of the hat here to win for a third time. That is perhaps the reason it is taking help of all the star campaigners here who are and concentrating their attack on Congress run central government for most of the woes.
On Thursday, it brought prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi to pitch for its candidates at five places that cater to more than a dozen constituencies. At each of the five places, Modi concentrated his attack against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul and Ajit Jogi, a great schemer that is giving BJP sleepless nights.
Relentless campaigning in Chhattisgarh serves two purpose for Modi – one, it would make him Raman’s saviour if the BJP wins in Chhattisgarh thus reducing Raman’s stature as a challenger and two, it would make him a well-known face in Chhattisgarh which is crucial for 2014 elections.
Modi launched an attack against Sonia and Rahul for claiming that the Centre was giving funds to the state but it was not able to use them properly. He asked if these funds were coming from Rahul’s “maternal uncle”.
Playing on Jogi’s “fear factor”, Modi asked why the Congress is scared of disclosing the name of its chief ministerial candidate. “If a sting is conducted of Congress leaders, you will find them taking the name of Ajit Jogi as CM candidate. Why do they fear losing polls if his name is declared? What sins he has done that are preventing you from declaring his name?” Modi said at a rally in Bemetra.
Modi’s magic seems to be steadily gaining ground in Chhattisgarh but whether it will place the BJP back in power remains to be seen.
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