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Election campaigning in Chhattisgarh's high profile seats concludes

Congress stalwart Ajit Jogi, Chief Minister Raman Singh's son Abhishek in election fray

R Krishna Das Raipur
Last Updated : Apr 15 2014 | 5:04 PM IST
High voltage election campaign in prestigious Mahasamund and Rajnandgaon Lok Sabha constituencies in Chhattisgarh came to an end Tuesday evening.

Both the constituencies along with Kanker would go to the polls on April 17. The election in Mahasamund and Rajnandgaon added significance to the 2014 polls in Chhattisgarh. While former chief minister Ajit Jogi is contesting from Mahasamund, Chief Minister Raman Singh’s son Abhishek is making political debut from Rajnandgaon.

The election campaign in both the constituencies went on a hectic note. Mahasamund however hogged the headlines with 11 candidates resembling BJP candidate Chandulal Sahu’s name in the fray in the constituency. The BJP had alleged that Jogi fielded 11 “Chandulals” to confuse the voters at Electronic Voting Machine (EVMs).

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The Congress had categorically denied the allegation. With a major setback due to “Chandulals”, BJP candidate had concentrated in informing the serial number in the EVM to the voters. “Press No.3 button and the vote would go to BJP candidate,” the banner-posters in the constituency underlined.

In Rajnandgaon, Chief Minister Raman Singh had pulled all the strings to ensure comfortable victory for his son. The poll managers concentrated on splitting the Congress and during campaign trail, many Congress leaders including district chief joined the BJP.

The former state minister and incumbent MLA from Antagarh, Vikram Usendi is contesting from Kanker Lok Sabha constituency. The Congress has pitted Phoolodevi Netam against him. After Bastar, Kanker is the worst Naxal-infested Lok Sabha constituency in the state.

The red army has its presence in all the three constituencies but Kanker is the worst. The election commission has included the three constituencies in the second phase while Bastar alone went to the polls on April 10.

The election campaign in the Naxal-infested pockets came to an end at 3 pm following election commission directives. In the remaining parts, it ended at 6 pm as per the schedule.

According to election officials, 50 candidates are in the fray in the three constituencies. In all, 4.6 million voters would seal their electoral fate in the EVMs on Thursday.

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First Published: Apr 15 2014 | 5:01 PM IST

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