Six youth pilgrims killed, many hurt
Raipur: In a major mishap, at least six youth were killed and about a dozen injured when a speedily driven SUV collided head-on with a private bus on the Bastar-Raipur highway about 90 kms from Raipur on October 10. According to police the ill-fated victims were returning from Mahamaya temple at Ratanpur in Bilaspur district. They were in a brand new without number Mahindra Scorpio SUV. The mishap took place around 9 am near Rajarao Pathaar area under Gurur police station on the highway. The Scorpio collided with Mahindra Travels bus was on way to Raipur from Kanker.
Congress clears 17 names for polls
Raipur: The State Congress party finally announced the first list of candidates on October 11 for the next month’s Assembly election. Congress has declared names of 17 candidates in its first list. The first phase of polls would cover 18 seats spread out in Rajnandgaon district and Bastar region which is made up of seven districts. According to the list, Alka Mudliyar, wife of former Rajnandgaon legislator Uday Mudliar, has been chosen by the Congress to take on Chief Minister Raman Singh in Rajnandgaon seat. Umesh Patel, son of State Congress chief Nandkumar Patel who was among the 30 people killed in the Maoist attack, has also figured in the list. Patel will contest from Kharasia seat in Raigarh district which was a stronghold of late Patel since undivided Madhya Pradesh period. Devti Karma, wife of late Mahendra Karma will contest from insurgency-hit Dantewada seat.
Ramdev faces code violation plaint
Raipur: Putting Baba Ramdev under fire, Chhattisgarh Swabhiman Manch (CSM) made a written complaint with the State Election Commission alleging Ramdev of canvassing for the BJP Government on State expenditure after the enforcement of Model Code of Conduct (MCC). A delegation of CSM led by General Secretary Mahesh Dewangan, Central Advisor Rajkumar Gupta and treasure Bhagat Ram Soni met with Chief Election Officer (CEO) Sunil Kujur at his office on October 6. In letter handed over to CEO they alleged that Baba Ramdev during his one week starting from October 2nd was given the statutes of ‘State guest’. During his camps Ramdev tried to solicit votes for BJP. later Congress party also registered its protest with the Chief Election Officer demanding addition of Ramdev’s camp into the poll expense of the BJP.
Ticket aspirants create ruckus at BJP office
Raipur: The supporters of various ticket aspirants stormed the State BJP headquarters with slogan raising and protests becoming a routine in its premises. They were demanding tickets for their favourite candidates. On October 10, party workers from Saja Assembly segment arrived at the party headquarters while demanding a ticket for labhchand Bafna once again as their candidate for the Assembly polls. On the other hand, Vinod Bharti from Bilaigarh Assembly segment arrived with a dozen of his supporters while stating that the party did not offer him a ticket last time and
expects to win the polls this time round in a seat which is currently with the Congress. There were also office bearers and workers from Hardiha Sahu Samaj who arrived in large numbers at the party’s headquarters to demand a repeat of Nandkumar Sahu as their candidate from Raipur rural.