The politics in Sanjari Balod is heating up as the upcoming elections draw near. Congress, with a strong presence in the region, has comfortably secured the seat in previous elections. However, the tide may be turning as anti-incumbency sentiment brews against the ruling party. The constituency of Sanjari Balod, which was carved into a separate district in 2012, has been a stronghold for Congress. In both the 2013 and 2018 elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) suffered defeat, clearly highlighting the dominant presence of Congress. The defeat of BJP can be attributed to various factors, including internal conflicts within the party. After being in power in the state for over 15 years, the BJP leadership often downplayed the call for change, which may have contributed to their loss. The upcoming 2023 election is expected to present a bitter challenge for the Congress party due to prevailing anti-incumbency sentiment. The battle for Sanjari Balod will mainly be between the BJP and Congress, with no significant presence of a third force. Even if the Sarva Adivasi Samaj decides to field its candidate, it remains to be seen how much impact they can have on the traditional votes of BJP and Congress. The upcoming election will be a contest to protect the Congress’s home turf and retain the seat. Sanjari Balod, situated on the banks of the Tandula River, lies approximately 58 km from Durg. It is characterized by its rich forest, water, and mineral resources. The district’s revenue heavily relies on mineral wealth, contributing to about 78% of its total revenue. Additionally, the region possesses immense potential in agroindustries, particularly in the production of paddy, grams, sugarcane, and wheat.

However, this potential remains largely untapped. The main sources of irrigation in the district are the Tandula Dam, Adamabad Dam, Kharkhara Dam, and Gondli Dam. These reservoirs play a vital role in supporting agricultural activities. Notably, the long-pending ‘Link Canal’ issue, which affects Balod and Gunderdehi assembly constituency, remains unresolved due to a court case initiated by the Odisha government over the sharing of Mahanadi River water. The completion of this canal could prove to be a boon for the local farming community. The condition of roads in Balod has been a pressing concern for the residents. Recognizing the potential impact of poor roads on their electoral prospects, the ruling party has initiated roadwork, which is progressing rapidly in most locations. Meanwhile, the opposition has already geared up their election campaign pointing out to the lack of development. One major issue that has caught the BJP’s attention is the state government’s flagship project, the gothans (cow shelters). The BJP has started a campaign to expose the anomalies in these gothans, with residents complaining about the lack of basic provisions in over 50% of them. The extent to which this issue becomes a focal point during the election will depend on how effectively the BJP raises it and creates an impact on voters. On the other hand, the state government’s Rural Infrastructure and Hat Bazaar clinics have benefited numerous people, including youths. These initiatives are expected to have a positive impact on Congress and strengthen their position. A key vote bank for Congress in Chhattisgarh is the farmers, and the Bhupesh Baghel government has made efforts to ensure their satisfaction. Balod, being primarily an agricultural district, may witness substantial support for the ruling party due to their measures in paddy procurement and returns, ultimately translating into votes from the farming community. The tribal community, particularly the Halba and Gond voters, holds significant influence in the constituency. If the Sarva Adivasi Samaj decides not to contest, the swing in tribal community votes could determine the victory between BJP and Congress. Despite the Jila Sahakari Samiti scam being widely discussed, it appears to have had minimal impact on paddy purchase returns for farmers.

Consequently, its influence on the election results may be limited. The Congress has several possible contenders, including the sitting MLA Sangeeta Sinha, her husband Bhaiya Ram Sinha, Vikas Chopara (Municipality President), Meena Sahu (Jila Panchayat Member), Kedar Dewangan (Jila Panchayat Member), Krishna Dubey (former DCC president), and Yagya Patel. From the BJP, Pawan Sahu and Preetam Sahu, who lost in the 2018 and 2013 elections respectively, remain hopeful and are actively seeking the party’s ticket. Other contenders include Krishnakant Pawar, Rakesh Yadav, Surendra Deshmukh, and Mukesh Dilliwar. The BJP’s decision on the candidate selection is expected to play a crucial role in the outcome of the Balod election. In the 2018 elections, Sangeeta Sinha of Congress secured a convincing victory with a margin of over 28,000 votes, defeating Pawan Sahu of BJP. Similarly, in the 2013 elections, Bhaiya Ram Sinha of Congress emerged victorious against Preetam Sahu of BJP. As the election campaign intensifies, all eyes will be on Sanjari Balod, where the political landscape is poised for a potential shift. The upcoming election will test the strength of Congress and the anti-incumbency sentiment against them, while the BJP aims to regain its foothold in the region.