Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh, one of the poster boys of the BJP nationally, seems to have lost the plot against the ‘disorganised-looking’ Congress as the trends suggest the grand old party was headed to power with a big majority in the state.
The BJP’s strategy to back big names and a growing unrest among the party cadre seems to have dented the saffron party’s chances in the state. Among those who were overhyped to win and are trailing include former Raipur collector OP Chaudhary from Kharasia constituency.
The party’s plan to ride on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to combat anguish against the state government and counter anti-incumbency of 15 years also seems to have backfired.
On the contrary, the Congress - which did not put up any chief ministerial face - successfully managed to pocket the tribal and OBC votes.
The party stumbled upon a winning formula, giving tickets to 39 fresh faces, most of them around 30 years of age. The party also handpicked tribal and OBC leaders, including Tamradhwaj Sahu, to increase their chances of winning.
Sahu could be the frontrunner for the post of chief minister, who enjoys a strong backing of party chief Rahul Gandhi.
Accepting a Congress win in Chhattisgarh, Janata Congress Chhattisgarh chief claimed that the public opted for the Congress but it was more of a verdict against the BJP. “We are satisfied on our emergence as the third force in Madhya Pradesh,” said Jogi.
Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergil attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that he was a liability for the BJP in Chhattisgarh. Since he is seen as an anti-tribal, his face was missing from BJP posters, he added.
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