Democracy, terror designs... Chhattisgarh has them all ahead of polls

Raipur, Nov 9: Activities of all kind intensify in Chhattisgarh as the state prepares for its assembly polls, the third since its formation in 2000. While leaders from across the political spectrum have been campaigning in constituencies that are set to go to the polls in the first phase scheduled on Monday, militants have also steeped up their activities aiming to disrupt the festival of democracy.

On Saturday, another improvised explosive device (IED) was found from the Maoist-affected Dantewada district in southern Chhattisgarh. The explosive weighing about 20 kg was discovered by a joint team of paramilitary forces and the district police and was meant to target the polling staff, suspected authorities.

The personnel saw a group of Naxalites planting the explosive in a steel container on a village road connecting Kuwakonda police station with Dantewada district headquarters. They fled on seeing the security personnel, a PTI report said.

Two days ago, IEDs weighing around 50 kg were found ahead of rallies of Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and BJP patriarch LK Advani addressed rallies in the state on Saturday, the final day of campaigning for the first phase.

Security personnel are currently carrying out operations to ensure safety of the polling agents scheduled to reach their respective booths by Sunday for the first phase. Eighteen constituencies in eight districts will go to the polls. The ultras have called for boycotting the polls in the state.

Narendra Modi in Jagdalpur

BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi at a rally at Jagdalpur in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh on November 7, 2013.

In Rajnandgaon

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi addresses an election rally in Rajnandgaon district, Chhattisgarh, on November 8, 2013.

In Rajnandgaon

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi meets the crowd during a rally in Rajnandgaon district in Chhattisgarh on November 8, 2013.

In Jagdalpur

BJP supporters at an election rally of party's Prime ministerial candidate Modi at Jagdalpur in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh on Thursday.

In Raipur

Chattishgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh releases BJP party manifesto for 2013 assembly elections with other state ministers.

In Raigarh

Umesh Patel, son of slain Congress leader & former PCC chief Nand Kumar Patel, files his nomination papers from Kharsia assembly seat in Raigarh in Chhattisgarh. Nand Kumar was killed along with top party leaders by the Maoists in May this year.

In Rajnandgaon

Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh files his nomination papers from Rajnandgaon Assembly seat in Rajnandgaon for the upcoming assembly polls.

In Rajnandgaon

Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh on his way to file his nomination papers from Rajnandgaon Assembly seat in Rajnandgaon for the upcoming polls.

In Rajnandgaon

Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh on his way to file his nomination papers from Rajnandgaon Assembly seat in Rajnandgaon for the upcoming assembly polls.

In Raipur

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh waves to crowd at an election rally at Budhapara in Raipur, Chhattisgarh on Saturday.

In Raipur

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at an election rally at Budhapara in Raipur, Chhattisgarh on Saturday. Senior Congress leader Motilal Vohra and Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress chief Charan Das Mahant are also seen.

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