Following its landslide victory in the recent assembly polls in Chhattisgarh, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is aiming to sweep all 11 Lok Sabha seats in the state, while the Congress grapples with the daunting task of regaining lost ground.
The Lok Sabha elections in Chhattisgarh are scheduled to take place in three phases on April 19, April 26, and May 7, with the results slated for June 4.
Buoyed by its triumph in the state assembly polls and buoyed by the 'Modi factor,' the BJP aims to maintain its momentum, particularly after fulfilling various promises, especially those related to farmers, made before the state elections. Conversely, the Congress plans to highlight issues such as agriculture, inflation, unemployment, and caste census to bolster its electoral prospects.
The BJP, energized by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rallying cry of 'Abki bar 400 par,' has already announced candidates for all 11 seats, replacing four incumbent MPs and introducing a state minister into the fold. Notably, three women leaders, including a former MP and a former MLA, feature prominently in its lineup.
On the other hand, the Congress has unveiled six candidates for Chhattisgarh, including seasoned leaders like former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, two former state ministers, and a sitting MP. Four of these candidates hail from the Other Backward Classes (OBC), while one belongs to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community.
Just a year ago, the Congress seemed to be in a strong position, buoyed by populist schemes and regionalism rhetoric. However, the tables turned dramatically in the November 2023 assembly polls, with the BJP clinching 54 seats out of 90, compared to the Congress's tally of 35, a significant drop from its 2018 performance.
In the latest assembly polls, the BJP's vote share surged to 46.27%, up from 32.97% in 2018, while the Congress's share dipped marginally from 43.04% to 42.23%.
Since its formation in 2000, Chhattisgarh has been largely unfavorable terrain for the Congress in parliamentary elections, with the BJP maintaining a stronghold. Despite its setbacks, the Congress faces yet another uphill battle in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
Key issues dominating the electoral landscape in Chhattisgarh include:
- Corruption: The BJP has aggressively targeted the previous Congress government over alleged scams, with investigations underway by central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Conversely, the Congress has accused the BJP of politicizing anti-corruption efforts.
- Welfare Schemes: The BJP-led state government has touted its implementation of various schemes, including financial assistance for farmers and women, as evidence of its commitment to governance.
- Ram Temple: The BJP's efforts to harness national sentiment surrounding the Ram temple inauguration in Ayodhya could sway voters in its favor.
- Infrastructure: The BJP has emphasized the need for infrastructural development, asserting that only a BJP-led government can propel Chhattisgarh's growth.
- Inflation and Jobs: The Congress has criticized the BJP over rising inflation and unemployment rates in the state.
- Mining: Protests have erupted over coal block allocations, with the Congress accusing the BJP government of favoring corporates.
- Left-Wing Extremism: The state continues to grapple with Naxalite violence, with the BJP pledging to address the issue within the next five years if re-elected.
As the electoral battle heats up, both parties are leaving no stone unturned to sway voters in their favor, setting the stage for a fiercely contested showdown in Chhattisgarh.