As campaigning for the second and last phase of polling in Chhattisgarh came to an end on Tuesday, the main rivals appeared locked in a close contest
NEW DELHI: As campaigning for the second and last phase of polling in Chhattisgarh came to an end on Tuesday, the main rivals appeared locked in a close contest with electioneering being a see-saw battle between the ruling BJP and the main opposition, Congress.
Political analysts say the Congress and BJP are locked in a neck and neck fight. A swing of even one percent in favour or against one of them could decide the fortunes of the parties, an aspect that would enhance the role of parties like BSP.
The second phase of electizoneering witnessed hectic campaigning by senior party leaders from all major political parties including the BJP, Congress, BSP and NCP.
While about a dozen BJP national leaders were in Chhattisgarh, an equal number of senior Congress leaders were there campaigning for the party candidates.
BSP also pressed several of its ministers and senior party leaders into electioneering. Top BJP leader LK Advani was in the state on the final day of campaigning, as was Congress chief Sonia Gandhi on her first and last visit.
The Congress campaign focused on corruption, and both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi called the state government corrupt. While BJP central leaders raised issues of price rise and terrorism, the state unit and chief minister Raman Singh tried to sell to people the work done under the party’s rule.
Another factor the BJP sought to play upon was the fear former chief minister Ajit Jogi and his son Amit Jogi evoke in some people and questioned his claim to be the Congress’s chief ministerial candidate.
BSP chief Mayawati ensured that four of her ministers and several other leaders camped in the state to manage campaigning. She has claimed her party would emerge as the “kingmaker” after the polls.
Ajit Jogi and his wife Renu seem to be on a comfortable wicket in the Marwahi and Kota assembly constituencies in Bilaspur district that go to the polls on November 20. Jogi’s confidence could be understood from the fact that he has not addressed a single election meeting in Marwahi or in Kota where his wife is contesting on the Congress ticket. He covered as many as 80 of the 90 constituencies of the state.
Congress workers calculated a substantial gain for the party in the elections, claiming it would double its tally of nine seats in 39 in the first phase of polling. “On the minimum side, we should get at least 18 seats. Overall, including the second phase, Congress should improve by about 14 seats. That means it will get 48 to 52 seats. We will get majority,” said a local Congress leader. Incidentally, Chhattisgarh assembly has 90 members.
s_rajesh@dnaindia.net
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