In Chhattisgarh, the Rajnandgaon Lok Sabha constituency witnesses a fierce electoral tussle between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress. The contest here is not just a political showdown but a battleground of prestige and power, drawing national attention. In this electoral clash, BJP's Santosh Pandey, the incumbent, faces off against a formidable opponent in Bhupesh Baghel, a prominent political figure and OBC leader of Chhattisgarh and former Chief Minister. The matchup presents an intriguing contrast, with both candidates boasting impressive educational backgrounds, Pandey with a law degree and Baghel with a master's in Political Science. Baghel’s entry into the fray was unexpected, especially after his tenure as Chief Minister. Similarly, Pandey’s candidacy in 2019 was sudden, propelled by the wave of Modi's popularity at the time. As the countdown to the election narrows to just seven days, the campaign trail, amidst scorching heat and wedding festivities, sees a slow but steady pace. Unlike previous elections marked by grand rallies and public spectacles, the current scenario is dominated by a digital battleground, with both BJP and Congress leveraging social media to sway public opinion.

 

BJP, buoyed by its return to power in the state, employs various tactics to secure victory, while Congress, led by its IT cell and Baghel, launches an aggressive campaign to challenge the ruling party. Both parties highlight their respective achievements at the national and state levels, striving to woo voters across the sprawling constituency, comprising over three thousand villages. There is a historical precedent to the electoral saga in Rajnandgaon. Over the years, the Rajnandgaon seat has seen a seesaw battle between Congress and BJP candidates, with the Khairagarh royal family’s members holding sway for a significant period. Rajnandgaon parliamentary constituency which saw 18 Lok Sabha elections since 1952, Congress candidates have emerged victorious 10 times, while BJP clinched victory on 7 occasions, and Bharatiya Lok Dal secured a single win. The members of the Khairagarh royal family have triumphed in this seat six times. In the current electoral showdown, the BJP has pinned its hopes on the sitting MP from the general category, while Congress has placed its trust in the prominent OBC leader and former Chief Minister.

 

Historically, when Chhattisgarh was part of undivided Madhya Pradesh, the Congress held a firm grip on this Lok Sabha seat. Royal members like Virendra Bahadur Singh, Shivend Bahadur Singh, and Padmadevi Singh, associated with the Khairagarh royal family, dominated the political scene in Rajnandgaon. However, the path shifted with the victory of Bharatiya Lok Dal candidate Madan Tiwari. In recent times, the BJP has maintained its hold on this seat, including in the last elections. With the election drawing near Congress workers are actively engaged in distributing pamphlets door-to-door, informing residents about the party's manifesto promises, including the pledge to create 30 lakh jobs and various other schemes. Notably, initiatives like the Mahalakshmi Nyay Yojana, offering Rs 1 lakh per year to women, are being promoted, with forms being filled out to facilitate participation.

 

Congress banks on the experience and grassroots support of Baghel. Meanwhile, BJP workers are also undertaking similar outreach efforts, canvassing doorto-door to inform constituents about the beneficial schemes implemented by their government and the Modi administration, and organizing rallies featuring key leaders like Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Both candidates have been making extensive visits to the constituency. As both camps intensify their efforts to sway the electorate, the outcome of this closely watched contest remains uncertain. Will Baghel and Congress manage to outmanoeuvre BJP's strategies, or will Pandey secure victory in the face of formidable opposition? With just seven days left for ballots, the political scenario of Rajnandgaon hangs in suspense, awaiting the verdict of the voters.