Chhattisgarh polls: BJP, Congress claim victory citing huge turnouts

Raipur: With a high voter turnout of 75 percent in the second and final phase of Chhattisgarh Assembly polls on Tuesday, both the ruling BJP and opposition Congress claimed to secure the popular mandate to rule the state. Chief Minister Raman Singh, who is eyeing a hat trick, said he was overwhelmed to see the turnout during both the phases. [caption id=“attachment_1239007” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Congress leader Ajit Jogi casts his vote during the 2nd phase of elections. PTI[/caption] “I express my gratitude to the electorates, police and administration for the conduct of successful election,” Singh told reporters on Tuesday evening. “I am confident that we will make a hat-trick,” he added. While around 75 percent polling was recorded for the final phase, the percentage of polling stood at 75.53 in the first phase of elections held for 18 seats on 11 November in eight Maoist-hit districts. In Tuesday’s phase, 72 constituencies spread across 19 districts were up for grabs. Singh attributed the huge turnouts to development works carried out by his government in the state. “During BJP’s Vikas Yatra across the state, I had seen the trust and faith of people in my government. Huge crowds of people, particularly women and youth, extended their support to Vikas Yatra programme,” the Chief Minister said. Singh claimed that developmental schemes implemented in various sectors in the last ten years “have touched the heart of people.” The main opposition Congress, which targeted the ruling BJP on the issue of Jiram Ghati naxal attack throughout its campaign, claimed that party will dislodge the Raman Singh government this time. Congress has been out of power for ten years now. State unit Congress chief Charandas Mahant said the huge turnout in both the phases reflected awareness among voters. “Record turnout reflects that people have voted against bad governance of BJP. Now a period of false promises, crime against women, forgery and bad governance will come to an end. “People have voted for their favourite party and we are confident of forming the government in the state,” Mahant said. Counting of votes will be held on 8 December. In the 2008 elections, BJP had won 50 seats, Congress 38 and BSP 2 seats. PTI