Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has emerged victorious in Chhattisgarh, securing 54 out of 90 assembly seats. The ruling Congress, on the other hand, faced a setback, managing to secure only 35 seats. Gondvana Gantantra Party (GGP) candidate Tuleshwar Hira Singh Markam defeated Congress candidate Duleshwari Sidar from Pali Tanakhar assembly seat. Prominent figures including Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, former Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh, BJP State President Arun Sao, and former ministers Brijmohan Agrawal, Rajesh Munat, and Amar Agrawal have clinched victory in the assembly polls. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel defeated Durg MP and BJP candidate Vijay Baghel in a closely watched contest for the Patan seat. Speaker of Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly Dr Charan Das Mahant and Union Minister of State Renuka Singh Saruta also secured wins in the assembly elections. Former Union Minister Vishnudeo Sai emerged victorious from the Kunkuri seat. In a closely contested battle, BJP candidate Rajesh Agrawal defeated Deputy Chief Minister T S Singhdeo by a narrow margin of 158 votes in the Ambikapur seat.

 

Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Assembly Speaker Dr Charan Das Mahant were the only two core members of the Congress Pradesh Congress Committee who managed to secure wins. Contrary to exit poll predictions, the BJP gained 39 seats in this assembly election, showcasing a remarkable surge from its 2018 performance where it had won only 15 seats. In contrast, the Congress had secured 68 assembly seats in 2018. The BJP’s success is attributed to the trust placed by the people in the party’s manifesto, “Modi Ki Guarantee,” despite not declaring a chief ministerial face in Chhattisgarh. The party campaigned on the face of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, this victory came at a cost for the Congress, with nine cabinet ministers, including Deputy Chief Minister T S Singhdeo, suffering defeat in the assembly polls. Only three cabinet ministers, Kawasi Lakhma, Umesh Patel, and Anila Bhendiya, managed to secure wins in Kharsia and Dondi Lohara respectively. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel defeated BJP candidate Vijay Baghel from Patan seat by a margin of 19,723 votes. Chief Minister Baghel polled 95,438 votes while Vijay Baghel polled 75,715 votes.

 

Former Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh defeated Congress candidate Girish Dewangan from Rajnandgaon seat by a margin of 45,084 votes. Dr Raman Singh polled 1,02,499 votes while Girish Dewangan polled 57,415 votes. BJP State President Arun Sao defeated Congress candidate Thaneshvar Sahu by a margin of 45,891 votes. Arun Sao polled 75,070 votes while Thaneshvar Sahu polled 29,179 votes. Former IAS officer and BJP leader Om Prakash Choudhary defeated Congress candidate Prakash Shakrajeet Naik by margin of 64,443 votes. Congress State President Deepak Baij lost the assembly poll from Chitrakote assembly seat. The BJP showcased dominance in various divisions, winning 14 seats in Surguja, 8 out of 12 seats in Bastar, 10 out of 20 in Durg, 10 out of 24 in Bilaspur, and 12 out of 20 in Raipur. The lowest victory of margin was registered by BJP candidate Asha Ram Netam who defeated Congress candidate Shankar Dhruwa from Kanker seat by a margin of 16 votes only. This victory of the BJP marks a significant shift in the politics of Chhattisgarh, as the BJP secures the highest number of seats in the assembly polls, surpassing its previous records in 2003, 2008, and 2013.