Battle For Patan: Amit Jogi To Test His Luck Against Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel

Ahead of Chhattisgarh Assembly election 2023, the Patan constituency promises to be a riveting battle as it witnesses a face-off between two prominent candidates: Chief Minister Bhupendra Baghel and Amit Jogi, the son of former CM Ajit Jogi.

Both candidates have filed their nominations for the seat on Monday, making this a contest of significance in the state.

Amit Jogi, the chief of Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J), emphasized the significance of the election, framing it as a battle against corruption rather than a personal contest against Bhupendra Baghel. In a statement on social media, he clarified that he represents various victims, including those affected by the PSC scam, housing issues, breached promises, irregularities, and liquor bans. He firmly asserted that his candidacy symbolizes the fight against corruption, serving as the voice of these victims.

On the other hand, Chief Minister Bhupendra Baghel filed his nomination from his traditional seat, Patan in Durg district, for the forthcoming assembly polls. Expressing confidence in the Congress's ability to retain power in the state, he posted pictures of the nomination process on his social media account.

Accompanied by Chhattisgarh assembly speaker Charan Das Mahant and state Home Minister Tamradhwaj Sahu, Baghel formally submitted his nomination papers at the Durg collectorate. With an emotional touch, he shared pictures of his wife applying 'tilak' on his forehead at their residence in Bhilai before heading to file the nomination.

Bhupendra Baghel boasts an impressive electoral record, having won five times from the Patan seat in the years 1993, 1998, 2003, 2013, and 2018. The only exception was in 2008 when he lost to his nephew Vijay Baghel, who contested on the BJP ticket.

This contest in Patan presents a 'Chacha vs. Bhatija' scenario, with the opposition BJP fielding Vijay Baghel, the current Lok Sabha member from Durg, as their candidate. Both Bhupendra Baghel and Vijay Baghel belong to the Kurmi community, an influential OBC group in the state, which holds significant sway in the Patan constituency due to its sizable population.