242 nominations Filed for 1st phase of polls
Two hundred forty two nomination papers have been filed in eighteen constituencies of Bastar and Ranjandgaon region for the first phase of state assembly election. The scrutiny of nomination papers for the first phase will be now performed and the nominations could be withdrawn latest by October 28 for the first phase of election. The first phase would cover Khairagarh, Dongargarh, Rajnandgaon, Dongargaon, Khujji, Mohla-Manpur, Antagarh, Bhanupratappur, Kanker, Keshkal, Kondagaon, Narayanpur, Bastar, Jagdalpur, Chitrakot, Dantewada, Bijapur and Konta. About 29.28 lakh voters are in these constituencies where 4074 polling booths have been setup. The voting for first phase would be performed on November 11.
Jogi made convener of Cong poll campaign panel
Applying a super effective balm to sulking former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi, the Congress high command once again brought the Marwahi stalwart to forefront relegating his bête noire Charandas Mahant — Ravindra Choubey — Bhupesh Baghel combine to back as it announced 29-member Election Campaign Committee for assembly poll bound Chhattisgarh. The panel will also have five special invitees. Notably, Ajit Jogi, who was once in a posture to even quitting the party on the ground that he was being denied his due by the high command, was suitably compensated as Convener of poll campaign committee, even if Motilal Vora, the Treasurer of All India Congress Committee, has been nominated chairman of the panel given his stature as a consensus figure. At the same time, CGPCC chief Charandas Mahant, CGPCC programme convener Bhupesh Baghel, Congress legislature Party leader Ravindra Choubey among others have been made members of the panel. As consolation to young brigades and those aggrieved by denial of tickets, chiefs of five frontal organisations have also been nominated as special invitees.
BJP releases list of 67 names for polls
The ruling BJP on October 20 declared the names of 67 candidates for the Assembly polls scheduled for November 11 and 19. With the declaration of the list, while the ministers of the Raman Cabinet were spared of looming persecution, party MlAs, barring nine unfortunate ones, were retained for next electoral fights. For the remaining 23 seats, BJP national president Rajnath Singh has been authorised to take final decision in consultation with Raman Singh, JP Nadda and Saudan Singh.
Cong declares second list of candidates
Congress party on October 21 announced its second list containing names of candidates for 45 Assembly seats for assembly election. After announcing of the list the total number of candidates announced by Congress party so far for a 90-member State Assembly has reached 62. The list gave a clear indication that while the party high command was not averse to accommodating the choices of state leadership it was also not ready to succumb to the pressure of any regional ‘kshatrap’ either. Making its team a fine melange of youth and experience, the party has put up some fighting figures like Raipur mayor Kiranmayee Nayak and Bilaspur mayor Vani Rao against the BJP heavyweights and senior ministers Brijmohan Agrawal and Amar Agrawal. The Congress which is out of power in Chhattisgarh since Dec 2003, has also accommodated young Turks like Vikas Upadhyay and Amit Jogi, son of former chief minister Ajit Jogi.
aIJZao8IJIJyment and Training Minister Chandrashekhar Dubey on Friday. The workers are demanding immediate fulfilment of their demands including medical, residential and career benefits, said a media statement.
AJSU to launch Sankalp Yatra today
Sankalp Yatra, demanding special status for the State, will launched by AJSU party chief Sudesh Mahto on October 27 from the birth place of Bhagwan Birsa Munda — Ulihatu in Khunti.