Chhattisgarh: Son rise, but task cut out for Raman

How the CM convinces the new PM to handle the Maoist issue with top priority would be keenly watched.

Chhattisgarh has returned the similar tally it registered in the last two elections, as the BJP won 10 of the 11 seats in the third consecutive Lok Sabha election.

While it marks yet another assertion of Chief Minister Raman Singh in the state politics, it’s also a significant personal moment for him as his son Abhishek Singh won his debut election from Rajnandgaon. Among the most educated parliamentarians of Chhattisgarh, Abhishek now has a crucial responsibility to raise the voice of a state that quite often remains in news because of the Maoist insurgency and mass deprivation of tribals.

The stunning victory of the BJP in the country, however, brings an enormous responsibility for the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister. Chhattisgarh became the capital of Maoist insurgency under his watch, and his oft-repeated reply for the crisis had been that the Centre was not cooperating in the battle. The Chhattisgarh government abdicated all its responsibilities in handling the Maoist situation, repeatedly blamed the UPA for funds and forces, accused them for not formulating a national policy. Now, Singh has his government at the Centre and a task cut out.

From the position of strength are taken bold decisions. Singh could now invite the Maoists for talks, reassess the ground situation or formulate new programmes to win over tribals. The BJP has retained the Maoist stronghold of Bastar, a Lok Sabha seat it has since 1998.

Narendra Modi has been away from the theatre of Maoist insurgency, has no ground experience and except making a few passing references during his speeches in the affected areas he has skirted the issue so far.

How the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister convinces the new PM to handle the issue with top priority would be keenly watched. Significantly, in Parliament, Abhishek now represents a district that was among the 26 most severely hit by Maoists as assessed by the UPA government. The only victorious Congress candidate is Tamradhwaj Sahu, who won from Durg defeating sitting BJP MP Saroj Pandey. Among the high-profile BJP leader of Chhattisgarh, Pandey was also the president of the BJP women’s wing and considered a rival to the Chief Minister. Her ouster would only consolidate Singh’s hold over the state.

The result also leaves a blank space ahead for Ajit Jogi, whose chief minister ambitions were dashed in the last year Assembly polls. He had soon announced a year-long retirement from politic but returned to contest from his favourite seat. With the Congress ousted from the Centre, the veteran would have to pull some tricks to sustains himself and stay relevant in politics.