The main Opposition party virtually failed in its strategy to hem Chief Minister Raman Singh in his constituency as the latter is not only running the Bharatiya Janata Party’s election show throughout in the State, but also dared the Congress to pull its all strings for dislodging him in his home turf if it can.
Notably, by fielding Alka Mudliyar, the widow of former MlA Udai Mudliyar who was gunned down by Maoists at Jeeram Valley on May 25, the Opposition had chalked out a plan not only to cash in the sympathy of electorate but also to restrict the movement of the Ayurveda Doctor who silently crafted victory twice for the Saffron party.
To spearhead their plan, the Congress is still directing all its attention to Rajnandgaon by lining up visits of its bigwigs: AICC treasurer and senior leader of Chhattisgarh Motilal Vora, Rajya Sabha Member Mohsina Kidwai, former CM Ajit Jogi, State Congress president Charandas Mahant, Union Minister Kumari Selja and others will address a massive public meeting at Rajnandgaon on November 5, whereas on November 7, the party High Command Sonia Gandhi herself will also address meeting at Rajnandgaon in support of Mudliyar.
On the other hand, the BJP has left the home turf of Raman Singh out of itinerary of all its central and star campaigners. BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi will address meetings at Jagdalpur, Kanker and Dongargarh, BJP patriarch l K Adwani will seek votes at Kasdol, Bilaspur and Bhatapara, party’s National president Rajnath Singh will address public meetings at Chitrakot, Bhanpuri and Keshkal, leader of Opposition in lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj will address meets at Pandariya, Takhatpur and Masturi, former BJP president Nitin Gadkari will address meetings at Kawardha, Ambikapur, Pendra, and Vekaiah Naidu at Konta, Bijapur and Bhilai.
In view of the busy schedules and wider involvement of Raman Singh, his spouse and son are handling his campaign with a confidence that electorate will not forget his Government’s achievements.