Voting on 20 seats in the first phase of Chhattisgarh assembly elections ended at 5 pm on Tuesday. By 5 pm, 70.87 percent voting had taken place. Naxalites created terror during the voting. Naxalite incidents and encounters have been reported in Kanker, Narayanpur, Bijapur, Dantewada and Sukma.
Two soldiers have been injured in two separate IED blasts in Sukma. Currently, the encounter is going on between security forces and Naxalites in Meenpa area. According to sources, 3 soldiers have been injured. Apart from this, a farmer was injured due to bullet injury in the encounter in Kanker. Many Naxalites are being claimed injured in Bijapur. Naxalites escaped after the encounter in Narayanpur.
Highest voting in Khairagarh at 76.31%, lowest voting in Bijapur at 40.98%. Out of the 20 seats where voting is taking place, 19 seats are in the control of Congress. Only one Rajnandgaon seat is with BJP. In the 2018 elections, Dantewada seat was with BJP, but in the by-election held after the death of the MLA in a Naxalite attack, this seat went to the Congress. Similarly, Khairagarh seat was with JCCJ, but it was also captured by Congress in the by-election. There are still Congress MLAs on Kawardha and Mohla-Manpur seats. Sukma: Konta Assembly
Encounter continues between CRPF soldiers and Naxalites between Tadmetla and Duled. Soldiers were deployed in the forest to provide security to the polling party in Meenpa, during which Naxalites ambushed them. Some soldiers are feared to be injured in the encounter that lasted for about 20 minutes. A soldier has been injured in Naxalite firing and IED blast near Lakhapal in Chintalnar area. Earlier, Naxalites attacked outside the polling booth in Banda area of Konta. When the soldiers retaliated, the Naxalites escaped. It is being told that Naxalites also fired BGL in the forests of Durma and Singaram. Naxalites had also carried out IED blast in Todamarka. A CRPF Cobra battalion soldier got injured after being hit by it.
Kanker: Antagarh, Kanker, Bhanupratappur assembly.
Naxalites clashed with BSF and Bastar Fighters soldiers in the forests of Madapkhanjur and Uliya in Bande region. The Naxalites escaped after an encounter that lasted for about half an hour. A senior cadre Naxalite is claimed to be injured. AK-47 rifle has been recovered from the spot. A farmer was injured by a bullet in the encounter.
During the voting, Naxalites have threatened Congress candidate Roop Singh Potai and independent candidate Manturam Pawar from Antagarh in Bande area. Naxalites have sent threatening letters. In this, it has been announced to give punishment in the public court. In Narayanpur too, Naxalites escaped after an encounter with STF soldiers in Tadur forest of Orchha. The family of BJP leader Ratan Dubey, who was killed in a Naxalite attack three days ago in Narayanpur, also came to cast his vote. During this, Ratan’s father said that what was his son’s mistake that he was killed. My son’s wife, brother, daughter-in-law and I have come to vote. There should be a solution to the Naxal problem.
Dantewada: Dantewada Assembly
Naxalites had planted an IED in Aranpur area of the district to harm the polling party. The soldiers have recovered it. CRPF 111 Battalion C Company personnel have been deployed for the security of the polling party. Between Aranpur and Somapara, soldiers have recovered 2 pressure IEDs of 2 kg each.
Bastar: Jagdalpur, Bastar, Chitrakot Assembly
Voting was held for the first time after independence in Chandameta village of Bastar. This area is near the Odisha border and has been a stronghold of Naxalites. After the booth was built, enthusiasm was visible among the voters. The administration had also made strict security arrangements. It is said that after the Jheeram attack, a large number of Naxalites had gathered in this area.
Bijapur: Bijapur Assembly
In Bijapur, Pusbaka and Timmapur villages have been evacuated due to fear of Naxalites. Voting has not taken place at the booth built here in Marubaka. There are 4 voters in Pusbaka and 3 in Timmapur. After the information came to light, retired IPS RK Vij has asked to take cognizance of this matter.
There has also been an encounter between police and Naxalites on Gangalur road. CRPF 85 battalion soldiers were out for area domination. Police claim that after the encounter, Naxalites were seen running away carrying 2-3 dead bodies. Blood stains and drag marks were found on the spot.
Kawardha: Kawardha and Pandariya Assembly
People boycotted voting in village Bharewapara of Pandariya assembly constituency of the district. It is being told that the villagers are angry due to lack of development in the village. Officials have reached the village to convince the villagers to vote. Till now not a single vote has been cast at the booth built here. In Jhiriya Khurd too, the villagers have boycotted the elections regarding basic facilities
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Mohla-Manpur: Mohla-Manpur Assembly
Voting took place here for the first time after the formation of the district. In such a situation, the names of about 40 to 50 people of Sarkheda village here were not in the voter list. The villagers have complained to SDM Manpur Amit Yogi regarding this. He accused Congress MLA Inder Shah Mandavi of getting his name removed from the voter list. In the same village, a BJP leader was murdered by Naxalites 18 days ago.
Rajnandgaon: Rajnandgaon, Dongargarh, Dongargaon, Khujji Assembly
In Chhota Kusmi of Dongargarh, voting started late by two hours due to the warning of election boycott. The villagers were unhappy due to lack of development work in the village. After persuasion by the officials, they came to cast their vote. Voting remained closed for 2 hours due to EVM malfunction in booth number 150 of Dhara and Swami Atmanand School.
Fate of 233 candidates sealed in EVM
233 candidates are in the fray for these 20 seats. These include former Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh, Cabinet Minister Mohammad Akbar, Minister Kawasi Lakhma and State Congress President Deepak Baij. Apart from these, 198 male and 25 female candidates will contest the elections. Exit polls banned till November 30.
Assembly elections are being held in five states including Chhattisgarh. The Election Commission of India has banned any kind of exit poll from November 7 to November 30. Notification has been issued in this regard.
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Who will face whom on 20 seats of Chhattisgarh: Former CM, PCC Chief along with 2 ministers are in the fray; In 2018, Konta has the least voting, Dongargarh has the highest voting. Voting is being held for 20 seats for the assembly elections. From here, former Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh, Cabinet Minister Mohammad Akbar, Excise Minister Kawasi Lakhma and PCC President Deepak Baij are also in the fray. Along with these, 233 candidates are trying their luck. Talking about the figures of the last assembly elections 2018, the voting percentage was lowest in Konta (48.90%) and highest in Dongargarh (85.43%).
