Congress, BJP see message in bumper Chhattisgarh turnout

NEW DELHI: A high turnout in the Chhattisgarh election has given rise to a sense of nervous anticipation in Congress and BJP camps, as long lines at polling booths are seen to indicate a decisive electoral result.

“Is tareh ki voting ya to sabak seekhane ke liye hoti hai ya shabashi ke liye (This kind of voting is about teaching the government a lesson or congratulating it),” said a BJP manager, hoping for the latter outcome.

Congress leaders are upbeat as they feel the party is in with a chance and reports of a close election bolster their assessment that the Raman Singh government’s 10-year stint has generated significant anti-incumbency. Having kept former CM Ajit Jogi out of the electoral fray, Congress functionaries feel the party denied BJP any propaganda advantage by raising visions of the controversial leader becoming CM again. BJP’s last-minute campaign focus on Jogi — warning that a Congress victory will mean his return — was intended to counter local disaffections but was also read as a sign of nerves by opponents.

“In Congress, MLAs and the party high command decide who will be the CM. BJP could not answer questions raised by Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s niece Karuna Shukla, who charged Singh with all around failure,” Congress general secretary B K Hariprasad said. Congress managers pointed to strong resentment at the level of MLAs and with the local administration, saying public anger against the “Raman Singh tax” was quite visible. BJP leaders insist the “Jogi threat” is not an exaggeration as he would be able to dictate the choice of CM if Congress does win. But they added BJP wanted to highlight Congress’ inability to project an alternative.

“Congress was forced to keep the leadership issue vague. But Raman Singh stands for development and peace,” BJP general secretary Jagat Nadda said. The saffron camp speaks of a comfortable majority in the 90-member assembly, insisting voters were drawn to the development and security mantra emphasized by the chief minister.

An efficient PDS with add-ons like pulses and salt along with a smart card that offers all state residents a Rs 30,000 health insurance would have swayed voters towards Singh, BJP leaders said.

On the other hand, Congress feels the election exposed the so-called popular support for the state government with the high-handed behaviour of BJP leaders and allegations of corruption spoiling the saffron party. The campaign put Singh’s claims under harsh scrutiny, feel Congress sources, and generated a strong undercurrent in favour of the main opposition. They discounted the Narendra Modi effect, saying poll issues were overwhelmingly local.