Congress Fields Kawasi Lakhma for Bastar Lok Sabha Seat Amid Chhattisgarh Polls

In a significant political development from Raipur, the Congress party has officially declared Kawasi Lakhma as its candidate for the Lok Sabha seat in Chhattisgarh's Naxal-affected Bastar region. This announcement comes as the state gears up for the upcoming general elections, with Bastar scheduled to vote in the first phase on April 19. Lakhma, a prominent tribal leader and a six-term Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Konta in Sukma district, has been a key figure in Chhattisgarh politics since 1998. His extensive experience and influence in the Bastar area are expected to play a crucial role in the Congress's campaign strategy.

The decision to nominate Lakhma marks a shift from the party's previous choice, as it has opted not to field the sitting Member of Parliament (MP) from Bastar, Deepak Baij, who also serves as the president of the Pradesh Congress Committee. This move is particularly noteworthy given Baij's defeat in the 2023 Assembly elections from Chitrakot. The Congress has so far announced seven candidates across the state, which boasts a total of 11 Lok Sabha seats. Among those nominated are former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel from Rajnandgaon, two former state ministers, and a sitting MP.

Chhattisgarh is set to witness its Lok Sabha elections in three phases - on April 19, April 26, and May 7, with the counting of votes scheduled for June 4. The second phase will see polling in three other constituencies: Kanker ST, Rajnandgaon, and Mahasamund on April 26. The final phase will include voting in seven constituencies - Surguja ST, Raigarh ST, Janjgir-Champa SC, Raipur, Durg, Korba, and Bilaspur on May 7. In contrast to the Congress's phased candidate announcements, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has already named its contenders for all 11 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

The nomination process for candidates eyeing the Bastar seat commenced on March 20, setting the stage for what promises to be a closely watched electoral battle in this Naxal-affected region. Lakhma's candidacy represents a strategic choice by the Congress, banking on his longstanding connection with the local populace and his political acumen honed over decades. As both major parties have now laid out their electoral cards for Chhattisgarh's 11 constituencies, the stage is set for an intense political contest in one of India's most crucial electoral battlegrounds.