Campaigning ends for the first phase of polling in Chhattishgarh

Raipur, Nov 12 (UNI) Campaigning for the first phase of Assembly elections in 39 of the total 90 constituencies in Chhattisgarh ended this evening where polling will be held on November 14.

Fate of 383 candidates would be sealed in 7268 polling stations spread in 10 districts of the southern parts of the state. Over 6.4 million voters were eligible to increase their franchise during the first phase of polling on Friday from 0800 hrs to 1700 hrs.

However the poll timings in the naxalite belt would be from 0700 hrs to 1500 hrs.

Political parties have deployed all resources at their command and brought senior leaders and cine stars in the field to garner support in favour of their candidates.

Development was the main issue for all the political parties during the campaign with BJP leaders narrating the achievements of the Dr Raman Singh government. The Congress on the other hand highlighted the corruption and misuse of government funds by the state government during the past five yearss of their rule.

The prominent candidates whose fate would be decided in the first phase are Chief Minister Raman Singh (BJP-Rajnandgaon), Assembly speaker Prem Prakash Pandey (BJP-Bhilai), Leader of the Opposition Mahendra Karma (Congress-Dantewada) his Deputy Bhupesh Baghel( Congress- Patan), state Minister Hemchandra Yadav (BJP-Durg) and former Congress Minister Ravindra Choubey (Saja).

The first phase of the polling would be a major challenge for the Election Commission and the security personnel as most area is naxalite infested.

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