Marking the beginning of the last round of crucial Assembly Elections before the Lok Sabha Elections 2019, 18 constituencies in the Maoists-affected areas of Chhattisgarh went to polls in the first phase on Monday (November 12) amid tightened security. Voting began at 7 am in 10 constituencies and at 8 am in the remaining eight.
Following phase one of the Chhattisgarh Assembly elections on Monday, the rest of the 72 constituencies will vote on November 20 in the second phase. The Bharatiya Janata Party government in the state, led by CM Raman Singh, is seeking victory for the fourth time after remaining in power for three consecutive terms.
On the other hand, the Congress is hoping to snatch power in the state from the saffron party with the help of huge anti-incumbency in the state. Meanwhile, former chief minister Ajith Jogi’s Janata Congress Chhattisgarh party is also hoping to claim victory, in alliance with Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party.