National spokesperson of the Congress Bhakt Charandas has said that people of the State have been demanding change in leadership this time. A good atmosphere has been created in the State in favour of the Congress.
“Several big leaders and workers of the party were killed in the Jeeram Ghati Naxalite attack. The Congress would never forget their martyrdom. The Congress will get sympathy votes also,” he added. Bhat Charandas alleged that fake votes were cast in the 2008 Assembly election in Bastar. Many police personnel were forced to cast their votes and because of which the Congress had to face defeat in Bastar in that election. This time, because of huge security cover there were no disorders, he said.
The Congress spokesman claimed that out of the 18 seats, where polling held in the first phase, the Congress would get 10. The Congress and the BJP had neck and neck fight in Konta and Antagarh constituencies. Bhakt Charandas said that the situation would be clear after declaration of the election result. He hoped that the Congress would get 50 to 55 seats in the State.
On the Pushp Steel issue, he said that mining lease was given to the company in a wrong way. On this issue, he had put the chief minister, Dr Raman Singh in the dock. He alleged that Dr Raman Singh had played important role in providing mining lease to Push Steel.