The Chhattisgarh Assembly Election Results 2023 might see a close contest between the incumbent Congress (INC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Exit polls released on November 30, 2023, painted a picture of a clear lead for the Congress party in the Chhattisgarh Assembly elections 2023. Most of the surveys predicted that the incumbent Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel-led party would retain power. According to News24-Today’s Chanakya poll, the Congress is expected to secure 57 out of the 90 seats in the state. Times Now-ETG predicted a range of 48-56 seats for the Congress. These numbers suggest that the Congress is well-placed to form the next government in Chhattisgarh. However, some exit polls offered a glimmer of hope for the BJP. India Today-Axis My India predicted a range of 36-46 seats for the BJP, while ABP News-C Voter placed the BJP’s tally at 36-48 seats. These numbers suggest that the BJP could still pose a challenge to the Congress, even if it falls short of a majority.
Here’s a look at key seats in Chhattisgarh that are poised to witness a fierce electoral contest:
Patan
Patan is set to witness a high-stakes battle where Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel will face a stiff challenge from his nephew Vijay Baghel, a Lok Sabha MP from Durg. The two Baghels have a long history of political rivalry, having faced off against each other twice in the past – in 2008 and 2013 – with each winning once. Bhupesh Baghel has been elected five times from the Patan seat since 1993, making him a formidable contender. He is known for his pro-farmer policies and his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has earned him popularity among voters. On the other hand, Vijay Baghel, nephew of Bhupesh Baghel, is a newcomer to the Patan constituency, but he is not to be underestimated. He is a popular figure in the Durg region and has a strong support base among the youth. He is also known for his fiery speeches and his ability to connect with voters on an emotional level.
The Patan constituency is one of the most closely watched constituencies in the Chhattisgarh Assembly elections 2023. The outcome of the election is likely to be a close call, and it could have a major impact on the future of Chhattisgarh politics.
Rajnandgaon
BJP’s Raman Singh, the incumbent Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh and a six-term MLA, is facing a strong challenge in his Rajnandgaon constituency from Giris Devangan, who is considered to be a close confidant of CM Baghel. Singh has held the Rajnandgaon seat since 2008, but he faces a tough battle this time around. Devangan, the Chairman of the State Mineral Development Corporation, is a popular figure in the region and is seen as a strong candidate. In the 2018 Assembly elections, the Congress fielded Karuna Shukla, a former BJP leader, against Singh. Shukla lost to Singh by a margin of 16,933 votes. However, the Congress is hoping that Devangan can turn the tide this time around. If Congress wins this seat, it would be a major blow to the BJP and could signal a shift in the state’s political landscape.
Ambikapur
The Ambikapur constituency in north Chhattisgarh is a tribal-dominated region and is set to witness a fierce electoral battle between incumbent Deputy Chief Minister T S Singh Deo and BJP’s Rajesh Agarwal. Singh Deo, a scion of an erstwhile royal family, is a three-time MLA from the Ambikapur seat. He is also the richest MLA in Chhattisgarh, with assets worth over Rs 500 crore, according to a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Chhattisgarh Election Watch. Agarwal, on the other hand, is a former Lakhanpur Nagar Panchayat chairman and a seasoned politician with a strong support base in the Ambikapur region. He is known for his work in social welfare and his commitment to the development of Ambikapur.
Raipur City South
The Raipur City South Assembly constituency is considered a stronghold of the BJP, and has been held by Brijmohan Agrawal, a seven-term MLA, since 1990. However, in the 2018 Assembly elections, Congress candidate Kanhaiya Agrawal gave Brijmohan a run for his money, securing 60,093 votes against Brijmohan’s 77,589 votes. This year, the Congress has fielded Mahant Ramsundar Das, a prominent religious figure from Dudhadhari Temple, as its candidate in the Chhattisgarh Assembly Elections 2023. Das is known for his strong protests against the derogatory statements made about Mahatma Gandhi during the 2021 Dharam Sansad held in Raipur. The outcome of the election in Raipur City South is likely to be close, as both Agrawal and Das are strong candidates with a loyal following. The BJP is banking on Agrawal’s experience and incumbency advantage, while the Congress is hoping that Das’s popularity and charisma will sway voters in their favor.
Konta
The Konta Assembly constituency in Chhattisgarh, a reserved seat for Scheduled Tribes (ST), will see the final battle unraveling on December 3, between incumbent Industry and Excise Minister Kawasi Lakhma of the Congress, Soyam Muka of the BJP, and Manish Kunjam of the CPI-M. Lakhma, one of the most influential tribal leaders in the state, is seeking his sixth consecutive term from Konta. He is known for his out-of-the-box style of politics and his commitment to the development of the Naxal-affected region. Muka, a seasoned politician with a strong grassroots following, is hoping to challenge Lakhma’s dominance in the constituency. He is known for his work in social welfare and his dedication to the upliftment of the tribal community. Kunjam, a former MLA, is hoping to revive the CPI-M’s fortunes in Konta. He is a charismatic leader with a strong support base among the tribal community.