Chhattisgarh Assembly Elections 2018: Voting begins as BJP battles anti-incumbency; Jogi-Mayawati alliance to hold the key for final phase

Seventy two seats have gone to polls today in Chhattisgarh and the key to the polls lie with the Ajit Jogi and Mayawati alliance, who by winning 3-5 seats can call for a hung assembly.

This state election is seeing a high anti-incumbency for the BJP, who has been reeling with farmers agitation, naxals attack, development, education facilities, healthcare among others. Although, the BJP had won 43 seats out of 72 in this phase, the BJP would want the Ajit Jogi and Mayawati alliance to count upon any anti-incumbency votes and disintegrate them within the Congress party.

The Bilaspur-Jangir region has been at the heights of anti-incumbency for the BJP and it is where the Jogi-Mayawati allaince might come into play. But, its the BJP who mighthave the last laugh as the different signals which Ajit Jogi had sent later during rallies and interview has troubled the Opposition unity. Although, the Mayawati had declined to join the Congress and created a third front in the state. Chhattisgarh might see a hung assembly for the first time as it is a triangular contest and if the JCCJ-BSP is able to garner 3-6 seats, the election might swing either sides.

Chief Minister Raman Singh said, “We are expecting a pro-incumbency vote in the second phase also and people will come out in huge numbers this time also to vote for the BJP. We will definitely coming back to power for the record fourth-time in a row.”

Raman Singh has roped in the memories of Bharat Ratna late Atal Bihari Vajpayee by renaming Naya Raaipur to his name.

Also read: Chhattisgarh Assembly Elections 2018: Raman Singh to fight it out in the last phase of polls; Congress