RAIPUR: The fledging Janta Congress Chhattisgarh’s alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party has perhaps for the first time made the state election more than a two-horse race this time. The BSP is popular across the Scheduled Caste belt in the central plains of Bilaspur and Janjgir-Champa district, where the Congress and the BJP could face hurdles now, after the tie-up.
It is completely another fact that smaller parties had a tough time in Chhattisgarh. The CPI, which is restricted to Dantewada, Konta (Sukma), Keshkal, Kondagaon in south Bastar, couldn’t win a seat in the last three polls. In 2003, the NCP had emerged out from the Congress. Despite getting 7 per cent vote percentage, which still remains the maximum achieved by any third party, the NCP could win one seat only in 2003. It drew a blank in the next two polls.
The ruling BJP sees the JCC (J)-BSP tie-up in a different context. “We can’t remain complacent. But, such an alliance will enable us to gain more seats. The BSP’s decision clearly suggests that no party is willing to board the sinking ship of the Congress,” said BJP state president Dharamlal Kaushik.
For the Congress, the election is no less than a “do or die” situation. Political analysts believe that in about 20-odd seats out the total 90, the pre-poll coalition led by Jogi might act as anti-BJP vote cutters in triangular contests. “Owing to such coalition, the BJP may lose more than the Congress across in north Chhattisgarh. Smaller parties have limited command in some pockets only,” said political observer Ashok Tomar.
The Congress appears unfazed on the likelihood of smaller parties, including the Gondwana Gantantra Party, the CPI, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), giving tough time on some seats. “We are well-prepared to face tough contest in all Assembly segments. The BSP going with Ajit Jogi’s party will not have any impact, though both will serve the BJP’s interest only. Other parties are inconsequential,” Congress state Congress in-charge P L Punia, who was the principal secretary in the Mayawati government in Uttar Pradesh.