The upcoming Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh are witnessing heightened political drama in the Patan constituency, situated in the Durg district. This seat has become the epicenter of attention due to a fierce battle between key contenders.
At the forefront of this electoral showdown is Congress candidate and Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, pitted against his nephew, Vijay Baghel, who is a Lok Sabha Member of Parliament from the Durg district. The competition in Patan has taken an intriguing twist with the entry of Amit Jogi, the son of the late Ajit Jogi, Chhattisgarh's first Chief Minister, turning this contest into a three-cornered fight.
Political analysts suggest that the outcome in Patan is expected to significantly influence the overall political landscape of the state. The history of this constituency is noteworthy. Before the formation of Chhattisgarh as a separate state from Madhya Pradesh, Bhupesh Baghel represented the Patan constituency from 1993 onwards. However, he faced defeat at the hands of his nephew Vijay Baghel in 2008. Since then, Patan has evolved into a prominent political battleground.
In the previous election, Baghel secured a victory here, eventually ascending to the position of Chief Minister. Patan is characterized by a significant presence of voters from the Kurmi and Sahu communities. Both the BJP and Congress candidates in this constituency hail from the Kurmi community, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the electoral contest. This makes the Patan Assembly election crucial, as it will determine the supremacy between two leaders from the backward class.
The Patan Assembly constituency, with its strong representation of Kurmi and Sahu communities, is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the election results, according to political analysts. It is evident that the caste dynamics will be a crucial factor in the upcoming elections, something that Baghel is likely to take into account in his campaign strategy.
Meanwhile, the BJP's stance on this issue remains unclear, leaving room for speculation about their approach.
As the battle for the Patan seat primarily revolves around securing votes from the Backward Classes, all three candidates are making every effort to connect with and appeal to the electorate. The Patan constituency is undoubtedly one of the most closely watched battlegrounds in the Chhattisgarh Assembly elections.
(With Agency Inputs)
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