BJP on guard as wounded Baghel eyes redemption in Rajnandgaon

RAIPUR: Rajnandgaon is superheated these days, and it’s not just because of the sweltering 40-degree summer heat. LS polls have rarely been this exciting here in the past 25 years.

Since 1999, when Raman Singh — who would become CM for three terms — won this seat, the saffron flag has flown high and largely unchallenged in Rajnandgaon, save for a lone Congress bypoll victory in 2007.

This time, though, BJP faces a fight. With former Congress CM Bhupesh Baghel stepping into the fray, the contest has reached a fever pitch. This is the bout to look out for in Chhattisgarh when three of its 11 LS seats go to polls on Friday.

Baghel is seeking redemption — not only for himself, but also for the political losses suffered by Congress following the party’s shocking defeat in assembly polls a few months ago.

BJP has fielded sitting MP Santosh Pandey — first time the party has repeated a candidate here — and is now having to throw its full might into the battle. The party has rolled out its big guns for Pandey — Union home minister Amit Shah and UP CM Yogi Adityanath have campaigned here.

BJP’s strategy is to relentlessly attack Baghel on the alleged corruption in the state under his chief ministership from 2018 to 2023, while evoking Ram Mandir sentiments. Shah reminded voters at a Rajnandgaon rally that Chhattisgarh is the maternal place of Ram, and it is PM Narendra Modi who not only ensured a temple was built in Ayodhya, but also consecrated the idol of Ram Lalla.

Baghel, meanwhile, has shed his image of a streetfighter and is focusing on quiet door-to-door campaigns. He believes the people of Rajnandgaon are yearning for a change and will reward Congress for the welfare schemes he implemented as CM. “BJP has conned the public by discontinuing his welfare schemes like godhan yojana, unemployment allowance, and programmes launched for landless labourers, farmers, and women,” he says in his speeches.

Recounting Congress’s defeat in the assembly polls, Baghel recently voiced his scepticism about EVMs, but he is careful not to be too loud in his campaigns. He holds streetcorner meetings and says Congress’s ‘Mahalaxmi Yojana’ is being talked about more than BJP’s Mahtari Vandan Yojana.

“People understand me. They know I speak the truth.”

Pandey has strong grassroots connection as he has been active in the region as an RSS worker, especially in Kawardha and Pandariya assembly segments. “From Chilphi to Aundhi, BJP workers are working day and night for the party. It’s not just about the candidate, it’s always more about the party,” he says, banking on Ram Mandir and “Modi magic”.

“Chhattisgarh is Lord Ram’s maternal place and people are overjoyed with Modiji for the consecration of Ram Lalla at the Ayodhya temple. Most people in Chhattisgarh have ‘Ram’ in their names, and they are deeply connected to him. The janata of Rajnandgaon will show Congress the consequences of corruption,” the sitting MP says.

Congress won five of the eight assembly seats in Rajnandgaon in the 2023 polls. BJP won Rajnandgaon (Raman Singh), Kawardha and Pandariya. This LS battle has all signs of a photo finish, but it remains to be seen if tradition prevails or history is made when the constituency’s 14 lakh electorate votes on Friday.