The top leaders across the political parties were caught by surprise on Friday by early poll dates announced for the 90-member legislative Assembly in Chhattisgarh. “It’s really a big surprise, the poll dates have come in at least two weeks in advance. I am caught by surprise and I think most of the politicians of the State were not expecting polls too early though it’s good as far as poll expenses are concerned,” remarked a senior BJP leader and minister in Chhattisgarh government. Sources in Congress circle, too, confirmed that party leaders were expecting voting dates somewhere around late of November rather than on November 11 and November 19. “Though Congress is fully geared up for the change of regime in Chhattisgarh in two-phased polls but it's sure that the EC has stunned Chhattisgarh politicians by deciding to complete voting by Nov 19. I was expecting the voting by the fag end of November and first week of December,” a seasoned politician of Congress said. In the first phase, 18 seats, mostly the leftist militancy-hit constituencies, will go to polls while remaining 72 seats in the second and the final phase. The results will be declared on December 8 along with Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi and Mizoram.