Countdown begins for next government formation in Chhattisgarh

The state will go to the crucial second phase of polls on Tuesday

The 72 assembly constituencies in Chhattisgarh will go to the polls in the second and crucial phase of elections in the state on Tuesday.

Of the 72 constituencies, Congress and ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had shared 35 seats each in the 2008 state polls while the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) had bagged two seats. The party increasing its tally from 35 seats in the second phase would be in a comfortable position to form the next government in Chhattisgarh.

In the first phase of polling in 18 constituencies, more than 67 per cent electorate exercised their franchised.

The heavy polling in many constituencies had puzzled the political pundits to establish which way the trend was moving.

Since uncertain figure prevailed in the first phase, the second phase of election had been crucial for both Congress and the BJP.

The state electoral officer, Sunil Kujur informed that all required arrangement had been made to ensure free and fair polling.

In all, 13975470 electorates would exercise their franchise to seal the fate of 843 candidates including 75 woman candidates.

The prominent candidates whose electorate fate would be sealed in the electronic voting machine (EVM) include nine ministers, leader of opposition Ravindra Choubey, Ajit Jogi’s wife Renu and son Amit.

Kujur said 17350 polling stations had been set up to enable people to cast their votes. Of it, 4594 booths have been identified as sensitive and 1398 hyper sensitive.

The polling will be conducted from 8 am to 5 pm in the 72 seats spread across the 19 districts.

What makes the second phase of polling crucial for BJP and Congress is the interference of the “third” front.

The non-BJP and non-Congress candidates having influence among the voters are in large number in the 72 constituencies with at least five in a winning position.