Chhattisgarh: BJP and Cong heading for nail-biting contest

The ruling BJP and the main opposition appeared to be heading for a nail-biting contest in as initial trends indicated a marginal lead for the Congress.

Opposition Congress continued to be pro-active in its electoral battle with the ruling BJP as counting trends showed a close contest between both these parties, with no major say for Bahujan Samaj Party or the Left Parties.

As counting progressed in 90 constituencies, Congress candidates in 41 constituencies were leading by narrow margin while BJP nominees are ahead in 41 constituencies. BSP and CPI are leading in one contituency each.

The strategy of BSP, which had fileded its candidates in 90 constituencies under its Uttar Pradesh strategy of Sarva dharma sambhav, apparently did not click in this election. Left Parties too are heading for a similar situation.

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Chief Minister Raman Singh was leading in Rajnandgaon by a margin of more than 4000 votes while former chief Minister Ajit Jogi (Congress) and his wife Dr Renu Jogi ( Both Congress) have established a comfortable lead in Marwahi-St and Kota constituencies respoectively.

Leader of the opposition Mahendra Karma (Dantewada-Congress), Speaker Prem Prakash Pandey (Bhilai-BJP), state Congress President Dhanendra Sahu (Abhanpur) and state BJP president Vishnudeo Sai (Pathalgaon-St) were prominent among those who were trailing trends coninued to pour in.