The dates for the Lok Sabha elections have been announced. In Chhattisgarh, the first phase of voting will be held on April 19 for one seat, Bastar. BJP has announced the names of candidates for all 11 seats and Congress for 7 seats. Both the parties are claiming their respective victories.
However, there are 6 seats in Chhattisgarh where Congress never won after the formation of the state. These include Bilaspur, Janjgir-Champa, Kanker, Raigarh, Raipur and Surguja Lok Sabha seats. These seats have remained the stronghold of BJP for the last 23 years. Even after forming the government in the state, Congress could not make a dent in it.
First know when and on which dates votes will be cast
Voting is to be held in Chhattisgarh in 3 phases. Voting will be held on one seat in the first phase, 3 seats in the second phase on 26 April and 7 seats in the third phase on 7 May. The notification of the first phase has been issued. The second phase will be released on March 28 and the third phase on April 12.
Now let’s talk about those 6 seats, which are the stronghold of BJP.
Bilaspur: After the formation of the state, Bilaspur Lok Sabha seat has been held by BJP from 2004 to 2019. In 2004, Punnlal Mohale from BJP and Basant Pahere from Congress contested the elections. Punnu Lal Mohale got 324729 votes while Basant Pahere lost by 81553 votes.
In 2009, Dilip Singh Judev from BJP and Dr. Renu Jogi from Congress contested the elections. In this, Dilip Singh Judev got 347930 votes. His victory margin from Dr. Renu Jogi was 20139. In 2014, Lakhanlal Sahu stood from BJP and Karuna Shukla from Congress.
Lakhanlal Sahu got 561387 votes. His victory margin over Karuna Shukla was 124359. Similarly, in 2019, Arun Sao defeated Atal Srivastava of Congress by 141763 votes. Arun Saav got 634559 votes.
Janjgir-Champa: After the formation of the state, Janjgir-Champa Lok Sabha seat has been held by BJP leaders from 2004 to 2019. In 2004, Karuna Shukla from BJP and Charandas Mahant from Congress had contested this Lok Sabha seat. BJP candidate Karuna Shukla got 303,655 votes in this election. His victory margin over Charandas Mahant was 11329.
In 2009, Kamala Devi Patle from BJP and Dr. Shivkumar Dahria from Congress contested the elections. In this election, Kamala Devi Patle had won over Dr. Shiv Kumar Dahria by 87211 votes. He got 302142 votes. In 2014, Kamla Patle from BJP and Premchand Jaisi from Congress were in the fray.
BJP candidate has won Janjgir-Champa Lok Sabha seat every time since the formation of the state. Kamla Patle got 518909 votes in this election. Premchand Jaisi lost by 391978 votes. Similarly, in 2019, Guharam Ajgale from BJP and Ravi Parasram Bhardwaj from Congress contested. Guharam Ajgale had got 572790 votes. His victory margin from Ravi Parasram Bhardwaj was 83255.
Kanker: Kanker Lok Sabha seat was held by BJP from 2004 to 2019. In 2004, Sohan Potai from BJP and Ganga Potai Thakur from Congress had contested this seat. Ganga Potai had to face defeat by 73626 votes. Sohan Potai had got 274294 votes.
In 2009, BJP again fielded Sohan Potai and Congress fielded Phulo Devi Netam. This time also Congress had to face defeat. Sohan Potai had got 341131 votes. His victory margin from Phulo Devi Netam was 19288. In 2014, BJP placed its bet on Vikram Dev Usendi, while Congress again gave a chance to Phulo Devi Netam.
After the formation of the state, BJP candidate has never lost on Kanker Lok Sabha seat.
This time too Phulodevi Netam was defeated. Vikram Dev Usendi defeated Phoolodevi by 35158 votes. Vikram got 465215 votes in the elections. In 2019, Mohan Mandavi from BJP and Biresh Thakur from Congress had contested. Mohan Mandavi got 546233 votes in this election. His victory margin from Biresh Thakur was 6914.
Raigarh: BJP leaders have been in control from 2004 to 2019. In 2004, Vishnudev Sai from BJP and Rampukar Singh from Congress had contested this Lok Sabha seat. In this election, BJP candidate Vishnudev Sai got 329057 votes. His victory margin over Rampukar Singh was 74243.
In 2009, Vishnudev Sai from BJP and Hridayram Rathiya from Congress contested the elections. This time Vishnudev Sai got 443948 votes. His victory margin from Hridayram Rathiya was 55848. In 2014, Vishnudev Sai from BJP and Aarti Singh from Congress were in the fray in Raigarh Lok Sabha seat.
After the formation of the state, the Congress candidate never won the Raigarh Lok Sabha seat.
Vishnudev Sai got 662478 votes in this election. His victory margin from Aarti Singh was 216750. Similarly, in 2019, Gomti Sai from BJP and Laljit Singh Rathia from Congress had contested. Gomti got 546233 votes in this election. Laljit Rathiya lost by 66027 votes.
Raipur: Raipur Lok Sabha seat has been held by BJP leaders from 2004 to 2019. In 2004, Ramesh Bais from BJP and Shyamacharan Shukla from Congress had contested this Lok Sabha seat. BJP’s Ramesh Bais got 376029 votes in this election. His victory margin over Shyamacharan Shukla was 129519.
In 2009, Ramesh Bais from BJP and Bhupesh Baghel from Congress contested the elections. Ramesh Bais got 371201 votes in this election. His victory margin from Bhupesh Baghel was 57901. In 2014, Ramesh Bais from BJP and Satyanarayan Sharma from Congress were in the fray for Raipur Lok Sabha seat. Ramesh Bais got 654922 votes in this election. Satyanarayan Sharma to him
