Why all eyes are on lone seat in Abujhmad, the last Maoist fortress

Larger than the state of Goa, with parts of it extending into Dantewada and Bijapur districts of Chhattisgarh and bordering Gadchiroli in Maharashtra, Abujhmad includes around 200 villages. But, given its sparse population, estimated to be around 40,000 people, it is covered by the single Assembly constituency of Narayanpur. Officials say that 90% of its area remains unsurveyed.

A healthcare centre in Narayanpur. (Express file photo/Sajin Saju)

Most of the residents are “Abujhmaadiya”, a loose term for the seven Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) of Chhattisgarh, entitled to special benefits and rights from the government meant for endangered groups like them.

Since 2018 to now, the push by the Election Commission has added 312 new voter names to the electoral rolls in Abujhmad; 14,800-plus were added overall in Narayanpur district. The average for the rest of the 11 Assembly seats in Bastar is 13,000-plus. An official says that voting is “very low” in general at three-fourths of the 30 polling booths in the Abujhmad region. For all but one booth, officials will be sent on choppers.

Chhattisgarh Chief Electoral Officer Reena Kangale told The Indian Express, “For the first time in the Bastar region, 2,000 polling booths will have arrangements for a live webcast, with officials monitoring the proceedings from the control room. Overall, 12,000 polling booths in Chhattisgarh will have live webcasting.” However, the facility will not be available in Abujhmad.

In 2018, the Orchha development block within Abujhmad saw among the lowest voting, with only around 32.40% turning up, less than half of the state’s average of 76.45%. Narayanpur district, overall, saw voting of 74.88%.

Every vote matters for the parties as, in 2018, Chandan Kashyap of the Congress had defeated two-time minister and three-time MLA Kedar Kashyap of the BJP by a margin of just 2,647 votes in Narayanpur.

Since 2018 to now, the push by the Election Commission has added 312 new voter names to the electoral rolls in Abujhmad. (Express file photo/Sajin Saju)

However, there are apprehensions regarding the turnout following fatal attacks on five BJP leaders, which have left party workers rattled in the region. The BJP poll coordinator for Narayanpur district, Ratan Dubey, says: “I have told BJP workers that there is no need to take the risk of going to the polling booths in Abujhmad. Neither are Congress workers taking that risk, as the area is under Naxal influence.”

Among those killed was BJP Narayanpur deputy chief Sagar Sahu, who was shot by Maoists in February.

Dubey adds that he is uncertain how the people will vote, given the situation. “After five back-to-back murders of our BJP workers this year by Maoists, some of us have got security. Even I got a call asking me if I wanted security.”

Ravi Ghosh, a general secretary and a Bastar leader said,”The element of risk is there, but people in Abujhmad have also benefited from welfare schemes of the Congress.”

Narayanpur District Collector Ajeet Vasant admits the challenging task before them, “owing to Left Wing Extremism, geographical barriers and inaccessible areas”. He talks of measures to restore the faith of the people in the government, such as a health and welfare centre for pregnant women, reopening of schools, and new school buildings.

Given Abujhmad’s sparse population, estimated to be around 40,000 people, it is covered by the single Assembly constituency of Narayanpur. (Express file photo/Sajin Saju)

Sundarraj P, Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range, is counting on measures such as “opening up of police stations at Sonpur and Kohametta as well as new base camps like Dondribeda, Kademeta, Kadenar etc” to encourage voting.

This year, there was a jump in the number of farmers in Kurusnar village bordering Abujhmad who sold their paddy to the government following increased compensation under the state government’s Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojna. Abujhmad also got its first operation theatre recently, and two new mobile towers, though over 70% of the area is still without a mobile network.

Journalist Alok Putul, author of a book called “Naxalbadi Abujhmaad”, says there are signs of change. “Critics say Naxals are behind the recent protests by villagers for their rights. But I see it as a positive sign because Naxals too are protesting in democratic way rather than choosing a path of violence.”

Come November 7, both the Centre and state government will be watching for the same.