Assistant sub-inspector Telam Chamru, belonging to the District Reserve Guard (DRG), who was riding the two-wheeler, died in the accident and constable Uday Kumar Patwa of Bastar Fighters sustained injuries, he said.

DRG and Bastar Fighters are units of the state police.

“As per the preliminary information, the motorcycle plunged into a roadside ditch, leaving the twoinjured. The duo were shifted to a hospital in neighbouring Dantewada, where the ASI succumbed to his injuries. The injured constable was later shifted to a hospital in Jagdalpur (Bastar district) and his condition was stated to be stable,” he added.

Further investigation into the incident was underway, he added.

The IED blast took place at around 3 PM near the Timmapuram village between Silger and Tekalgudem camps of security forces, over 400 km from the state capital Raipur, said an official.

Giving details, the official said an advance party of the 201st unit of Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA)– the specialised jungle warfare unit of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)– was on a patrol from Silger camp under Jagargunda police station limits as a part of its Road Opening Party duty towards Tekalgudem.

The CoBRA personnel were riding motorcycles while their luggage and rations were being ferried in the ill-fated truck which was blown up Naxalites with an IED.

“Naxalites triggered an IED blast targeting the truck that claimed the lives of constable Shailendra (29), a resident of Uttar Pradesh, and driver Vishnu R (35) hailing from Kerala. The truck did not have any other occupant,” he said.

The officer said that more forces were rushed to the spot and the bodies were evacuated from the forest following the blast and a search operation is underway in the area.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed grief over the deaths of two soldiers, asserting that their martyrdom will not go in vain and Naxalism will be wiped out from the state.

“Received the sad news of the demise of 2 CoBRA soldiers in an IED blast triggered by Naxalites in Sukma district. I pray to God to rest the departed soul in peace and to give strength to their families,” he said.

“Naxals are frustrated with the ongoing anti-naxalite operation in Bastar region and have been committing such cowardly acts out of frustration. The martyrdom of the soldiers will not go in vain. We will not sit quiet until Naxalism is eliminated,” Sai asserted.

(With PTI inputs)

Earlier this month, security forces gunned down six Naxalites during an encounter in Gobel jungle. The encounter broke out after Maoists attacked a joint search party including personnel of ITBP, District Reserve Guard (DRG), and CRPF.

#UPDATE | A total of 8 naxals killed so far in an encounter with security forces in ​​Abujhmarh. One jawan died in the line of duty, two injured: Police official#Chhattisgarh

— ANI (@ANI) June 15, 2024

(Note: This is a developing story and further details will be added.)

According to the police, a tourist bus with 35 passengers onboard, was moving from Jagdalpur to Raipur when it caught fire on Saturday afternoon, adding that police and fire services personnel arrived at the scene and doused the flaming bus and rescued the passengers.

Videos of the burning bus have gone viral on social media sites showing the vehicle engulfed in raging flames and completely gutted in the fire.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

जगदलपुर से रायपुर आ रही महिंद्रा की बस की एसी पाइप फटने से लगी आग… बस में 35 यात्री थे सवार… सभी यात्री सुरक्षित हैं!#abhanpur #bus #raipur #fire #Chhattisgarh pic.twitter.com/ZTFaKiY1Qk

— News Bindass (@NewsBindassIND) June 1, 2024

A senior official the fire was apparently caused due to the air-conditioning (AC) pipe in the bus bursting due to some malfunction.

No injuries or casualties were reported in the fire and all the passengers are completely safe, he said.

A senior police officer said the encounter took place in a forest along the border of Narayanpur and Kanker districts on early Tuesday morning, resulting in the deaths of nine Naxal insurgents, in what was the second major strike on Naxalites in a span of 15 days.

‘Major success’

In a video statement, Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma termed the operation as a major success and hailed the efforts of security agencies in curbing the Naxalite menace from the state.

Sharma, who also holds the Home portfolio, said an anti-Naxal operation was launched on Monday night by a joint team of security forces, and the encounter broke out in the Abhujmad area on the border of Narayanpur and Kanker districts on Tuesday morning.

“Nine Naxalites, including three women, were gunned down and their bodies have been recovered. No harm was reported to security personnel in the face-off,” he said.

An AK-47 rifle and a cache of other arms, ammunition and explosives were also seized from the spot, he said, terming the action as a major success.

‘Govt wants dialogue, not violence’

Congratulating the security forces for the success, Sharma also appealed Naxal cadres to give up arms and join the mainstream for the betterment and development of the state, asserting that the government want to solve their issue through dialogue, not violence.

“The state government led by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai wants a solution to this issue through talks. If any Naxalite, or a big or small group wants to talk through video call or a mediator, we are ready and will arrange better rehabilitation for them. We urge them to join the mainstream. We want peace to prevail in Bastar and development to take place there,” Sharma said.

88 Naxals killed in 2024

As per the police, the firefight broke out at around 6 AM on Tuesday in the forest between Tekmeta and Kakur villages in Abhujmad area, a Naxalite stronghold, when a joint team of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Special Task Force (STF) was out on the anti-Naxal operation.

The identity of the killed Naxalites was yet to be ascertained, police said.

With this incident, 88 Naxalites have been killed so far this year in separate encounters with security forces in the state’s Bastar region, comprising seven districts including Narayanpur and Kanker, according to police.

On April 16, 29 Naxalites were shot dead in an encounter with security forces in Kanker district.

“Congress and development can not go hand in hand, and wherever it was in power, corruption and violence reached their peak. When it was in power in the North East, violent activities could not be brought under control, and as long as it ruled in Chhattisgarh, Naxalite violence kept on rising,” Modi alleged.

The Prime Minister further claimed that there direct connection between the Congress and violence in Chhattisgarh as the grand old party encouraged Maoist insurrection to hide its corruption.

“What is the connection between Congress and violence? The answer is corruption. Congress kept on encouraging violence to hide its corruption. People kept dying but Congress kept on filling its coffers,” he alleged.

Asserting that the BJP government brought both corruption and Maoist violence under control, Modi said, “Naxalism has been declining rapidly in Chhattisgarh. I give a guarantee to the parents that I will root out Naxalism. I assure mothers that the lives of their children will not go to waste. To protect your child, I assure every mother that I will eliminate Naxalism and Maoism.”

Mahasamund seat, parts of which are affected by Naxalism, will go to polls on April 26.

(With PTI inputs)

The retired bureaucrat and his son, Yash Tuteja, were summoned to the Economic Offences Wing (EOW)/Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) office in Raipur on Saturday to record their statement in the same case, officials said, adding that former IAS officer was detained by the ED after his deposition.

Citing official sources, a PTI report said that Anil Tuteja was taken into custody by the central probe agency under the provisions of the PMLA Act. He is expected to be produced before a magistrate by the ED who will seek a remand of the ex-IAS officer who retired from service last year.

The ED had filed a fresh money laundering case in the alleged liquor scam case after the Supreme Court recently quashed its earlier FIR that was based on an Income Tax Department complaint.

The federal probe agency, which investigates financial crimes, shared details of its probe in the case with the state EOW/ACB seeking registration of a FIR and once they filed a FIR, the ED registered a new money laundering case taking cognisance of that complaint.

Money was “illegally” collected from “every” bottle of liquor sold in Chhattisgarh and evidence of “unprecedented” corruption and money laundering of Rs 2,000 crore generated by an alcohol syndicate led by Anwar Dhebar, the elder brother of Raipur Mayor Anwar Dhebar, has been unearthed, the ED had alleged.

(With inputs from agencies)

A senior police official said the gunfight erupted at around 2 PM on Tuesday afternoon when when a joint team of the Border Security Force (BSF) and the District Reserve Guard (DRG) of the Chhattisgarh Police were carrying out an anti-Naxal operation in the Hapatola forest located between Binagunda and Koronar villages under Chhotebethiya police station limits.

29 Naxals, including top cadres killed in Kanker gunfight

Talking to reporters, Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Sundarraj P said the security forces had launched the operation based on inputs about the presence of senior cadres of north Bastar division of the outlawed CPI (Maoist) Shankar, Lalita, Raju and others.

Naxalites in the area opened fire on the security forces, triggering a fierce gunfight in which 29 Naxals, including their top cadres were shot dead, the senior officer said, adding that a massive cache of weapons, including AK-47 rifles, were recovered from the spot.

“Bodies of 29 Maoists along with a huge cache of weapons, including AK-47, SLR, Insas and .303 rifles, were recovered from the spot,” IG Sundarraj said.

The senior IPS officer said that three security personnel sustained injuries in the encounter and their condition was stated to be out of danger, adding they were referred to hospital for treatment.

‘Big achievement’, says CM Vishnu Deo Sai

Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai hailed major anti-Naxal operation as “big achievement” and congratulated security forces for the “historic encounter”.

“It is indeed a very big achievement. A joint party of DRG and BSF carried out this operation and encountered Naxalites in the Binagunda-Koragutta jungles of the Chhottebetiya Police Station area of Kanker District. 29 Naxalites have been reported dead. Three jawans have been injured during the encounter and they are being treated. I congratulate all jawans and security personnel involved in this historical encounter,” CM said said.

The chief minister said the Naxalites were trying to disrupt the election process in the Bastar region which goes to polls on April 19.

“It seems as if the Naxalites wanted to disrupt the election process in the Bastar region on April 19. The site of the encounter is close to the Bastar and Kanker Lok Sabha constituencies. In Bastar, elections are going to be held on April 19,” Sai noted.

“In the past, they have attempted to disrupt polls. Our government is trying to bring development in the naxal-affected areas through the ‘Niyad Nellanar’ scheme. Home Minister Amit Shah has also reiterated his desire to put an end to naxalism. The government wants these Naxalites to come into the mainstream,” he added.

79 Naxals killed in Bastar so far this year

As many 79 Naxalites have been killed in separate gun-battles with security forces in the Bastar region, comprising seven districts, including Kanker, so far this year. Earlier this month, 13 Naxals were killed in another major gunbattle with forces personnel on April 2 in Bijapur district.

Polling in the Naxalite-hit Bastar Lok Sabha seat will take place on April 19 in the first phase, while the Kanker constituency, part of the Bastar region, will vote in the second round of general elections on April 26.

(With inputs from agencies)

On Wednesday morning, security personnel found the bodies of three more Naxalites, taking the death toll of Maoists slain in Tuesday’s fiery encounter to 13, the police said.

“The bodies of three more Naxalites were recovered on Wednesday morning from a dense forest where the encounter took place,” said a senior police official, adding that search operations in the area are still underway.

He said the identity and group affiliation of the killed Naxalites was being ascertained but it appears they were part of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army.

“The identity of the dead Naxalites was yet to be ascertained but prima facie, it appears that they belonged to the PLGA (People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army) company no. 2 of Maoists,” the official said.

A fierce encounter broke out between security personnel Naxals on Tuesday in a dense forest at around 6 AM on Tuesday morning, officials said.

Giving details, police said a joint team of security forces was conducting an anti-Naxal operation in forest located between Lendra and Korcholi villages under the Gangaloor police station area when they were fired upon by Naxalites, triggering a gunfight.

The intermittent firing lasted for a long time and the security forces continued search operations in the area.

A light machine gun (LMG), a .303 rifle, a 12-bore gun, a large number of barrel grenade launchers and shells, and other arms and ammunition were also seized from the spot, police had said earlier said.

Bijapur district comes under the Naxal-insurgency hit Bastar Lok Sabha constituency, which will go to polls in the first phase of the general elections on April 19.

(With PTI inputs)

“The four trucks were carrying iron ore from the Aamdai Ghati mine, allotted to a private company. They were stopped by Naxalites near Chhota Dongar police station on Orchha-Narayanpur road”, a senior police official said.

The officer said the Naxals asked the drivers to get down from the trucks, then set the vehicles on fire and fled from the spot.

No person was reported to be injured in the incident which took place late Saturday night, the officer said, adding that after receiving information about the incident, a police team rushed to the spot but the trucks were completely gutted by the time they reached the scene.

Visuals shared on social media platforms showed the torched remains of the trucks which are completely gutted in the blaze.

नारायणपुर के छोटे डोंगर क्षेत्र में नक्सलियों ने की 4 ट्रकों मे आगजनी। सभी ट्रकें अमदाई खदान से लौह अयस्क ढोने में लगी थीं। घटना की जानकारी मिलते ही मौके पर पहुंची पुलिस। छोटे डोंगर थानाक्षेत्र का मामला :@ranutiwari_17 pic.twitter.com/hM5Zco4kVI

— Bastar Talkies (@BastarTalkies) March 31, 2024

(Note: India.com could not independently verify the veracity of the videos)

Notably, Naxalites have been opposing the Aamdai Ghati mine project since long time. In the past too, Naxal militants have torched vehicles engaged in work at the site.

Chhattisgarh’s Naxalite-hit Narayanpur district comes under the Bastar Lok Sabha constituency, where polling will be held in the first phase of the general elections on April 19.

(With PTI inputs)

According to the police, a joint team of security forces were carrying out an anti-Naxal operation in Hidur village under Chhotebethiya police station limits, following specific inputs about the movement and presence of Naxals in the Hidur forest area.

#WATCH | Chhattisgarh: Kanker ASP Avinash Thakur says, "Anti-naxal operations are continuously going on. In a joint operation conducted by BSF, DRG and the Police force, one Naxal was shot dead, and one AK-47 has also been recovered. Constable Ramesh Kurethi also lost his life… pic.twitter.com/Tx0RFtnHxU

— ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) March 3, 2024

A senior police official said that personnel from the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Bastar Fighters, both units of the state police, along with the Border Security Force (BSF) and district force, were involved in the operation.

While the security forces were patrolling the area and cordoning off the forest, Naxals opened indiscriminate fire upon them, triggering an encounter, said Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Sundarraj P.

In the ensuing gunfight, a police constable and a wanted Naxalite guerrilla commander were killed, the police said, adding that the slain Naxal carried a bounty of Rs 10 lakh on his head.

“The body of a Naxalite identified as Nagesh was recovered from the spot along with an AK-47 rifle. Nagesh was self styled Partapur Local Guerrilla Squad (LGS) Commander/Area Committee Member (ACM). He had a bounty of Rs 10 lakh on his head,” the IGP said.

Meanwhile, the martyred police constable was identified as  Constable Ramesh Kurethi of the Bastar Fighters. Kurethi hailed from Sangam village in Pakhanjur area of Kanker, the senior officer said, adding that a search operation was underway at the site.

6 Naxals nabbed in Bijapur

In related news,  six Naxalites, including a woman ultra carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh on her head, were arrested on Sunday from two places in Bijapur district in Chhattisgarh, police said.

Woman Naxal Ram Bai was apprehended from the forest near Jarpalli village under Pamed police station limits by the local police, 204 battalion of Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) and 151 battalion of CRPF, Bijapur Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Yadav said.

“The team was out on an anti-Naxal operation in the Jarpalli and Aempur areas. Ram Bai is the president of Maoist front organisation Kamlapur Krantikari Adivasi Mahila Sangathan (KAMS) and has a reward of Rs 1 lakh on her head. We seized cooker-bomb, detonating cord, and pamphlets related the Maoists’ tactical counter offensive campaign (TCOC) from her,” the SP said.

Five Naxals were held in a separate operation from Jangla, Yadav said.

“Hadma Madkami, Ramesh Awalam alias Bojja, Kumaru Lekam alias Mahru, Maddaram Podiyam and Bomda Kuhrami were apprehended from the forest of Kotrapal when a team of District Reserve Guard and local police were out on road opening and area domination activities,” he said.

Two cooker bombs, two tiffin bombs, two detonators etc were seized from the ultras, who confessed they planned to plant an IED to target security forces, the official informed.

(With inputs from agencies)

Virtually addressing the Viksit Bharat Viksit Chhattisgarh’ programme, the Prime Minister said that Congress ruled the country for a long time after independence, but its focus was only on forming the government and not building the future of the country.

“Those who ruled the country for a long time after Independence, their thinking was not big and they kept on taking decisions keeping in mind (their) political interests. Congress was elected to power again and again but forgot to build the future of the country,” Modi said.

Their (Congress) thought was only to form a government while taking the country forward was never on their agenda, he said.

“Today too the Congress’ dasha and disha’ (condition and direction) are the same as earlier. The Congress cannot think beyond parivarvaad, corruption and appeasement,” he said.

‘You Are Modi’s family’

PM Modi said those who are only busy making the future of their sons and daughters can never think about “your sons and daughters”

“But for Modi, you all are Modi’s family. Your dreams are Modi’s resolution. That is why today I am talking about developed India and developed Chhattisgarh,” he added.

A developed Chhattisgarh can be built with the empowerment of the poor, youth and women, he said.

The previous Congress government in Chhattisgarh had stalled the construction of houses for the poor but the new BJP government has expedited it, the PM claimed.

‘Money looted from poor recovered’

The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stones of 10 development projects worth over Rs 34,400 crore on the occasion and said when India becomes the world’s third-largest economy in the next five years, Chhattisgarh will reach new heights of development.

Referring to himself as the servant of the people, Modi said he had given 140 crore Indians a guarantee of his commitment and hard work.

Strong action was being taken against those who had looted the poor and the money recovered is being utilised for the betterment of citizens, he said.

India being built as our ancestors had dreamed

Modi spoke about his government’s welfare schemes under which people are getting free rations, medical treatment, affordable medicines, housing, piped water, gas connection and toilets.

“Ten years ago, Modi had given the guarantee that we will create an India as per the dreams of our ancestors. Today, look all around, a new India is being built just like the dreams that our ancestors had seen. Did anyone think 10 years ago that digital payments could be done even in villages? Had anyone ever thought that a son who had gone to work outside would be able to send money to his family in the village? Today it has become possible,” he said.

Rs 34 lakh crore transferred in citizens’ accounts

Hitting out at the Congress, Modi referred to the statement by then PM Rajiv Gandhi about just 15 paise of every rupee being spent for development reaching the rightful beneficiary.

If the same situation prevailed today, one can imagine what would have happened to the nation, the PM said.

“In the last 10 years, the Centre transferred more than Rs 34 lakh crore into the bank accounts of citizens through Direct Benefit Transfer. Had the Congress been in power and had the 15 paise tradition continued, then Rs 29 lakh crore out of this Rs 34 lakh crore would have been embezzled by middlemen,” he said.

Throwing light on initiatives to create health and education facilities as well as infrastructure like roads and rail lines, the PM said development starts and employment opportunities get created once corruption comes to an end.

Govt transforming ‘annadata’ into ‘urjadata’

Referring to the PM Surya Ghar Free Electricity scheme, which currently covers one crore households, Modi said his government strives to cut down electricity bills of consumers to zero.

The government will provide financial aid directly into bank accounts for setting up rooftop solar panels where 300 units will be made free and excess electricity produced will be bought back by the government, thereby creating additional income for citizens, he pointed out.

The government was transforming the “annadata” (food producer) into “urjadata” (power producer) by assisting farmers to set up small-scale solar plants on barren farmlands, Modi said.

The BJP government in Chhattisgarh, which took over in December last year, has begun fulfilling “guarantees” (poll promises), Modi added.

The BJP unseated the Congress in the 2023 Assembly polls, winning 54 seats in the 90-member House.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and senior BJP leaders were present at the main event held in the Indoor Stadium Budha Talab in Raipur.

(With PTI inputs)

As per PTI, Deo will replace party’s legislator Arun Sao, who was appointed as the state deputy chief minister after the saffron party’s thumping triumph in the recent state Assembly election.

BJP leader Kiran Singh Dev appointed as BJP Chhattisgarh State President. pic.twitter.com/v34YBSFLI9

— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2023

Notably, former CM Raman Singh resigned from the BJP’s National Vice President on Sunday after filing his nomination for the Speaker post in the newly-elected legislative assembly of Chhattisgarh.

“At present, I am discharging the post of National Vice President of the Bharatiya Janata Party but I have been nominated by the party for the post of Chhattisgarh Assembly Speaker. Therefore, I respectfully submit my resignation from the National Vice President of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Please accept my resignation,” Raman Singh wrote in his resignation letter which was sent to JP Nadda.

Notably, Deo recently elected as the MLA for the first time from Jagdalpur. Jagdalpur Bastar Division is the only seat that is unreserved. Earlier, he served as the Mayor of Jagdalpur Municipal Corporation, reported amritvichar.com. Deo Started his political journey with the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), the youth wing of the BJP.

Chhattisgarh Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan administered the oath of office to Sai at the Science College grounds in Raipur. The oath ceremony was attended by PM Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP National President JP Nadda, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and other senior party leaders. Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel was also present.

Swearing-in ceremony of the new government of Chhattisgarh. https://t.co/qprBZulSJ1

— BJP (@BJP4India) December 13, 2023

Vijay Sharma and Arun Sao were also sworn-in as Sai’s two deputies.

The BJP on Sunday had announced the name of Vishnu Deo Sai as its CM-designate after a meeting of the party’s newly-elected 54 MLAs in the state was held in Raipur. Sai, a reputed tribal leader, won Kunkuri Assembly seat with a total of 87,604 votes.

Who is Vishnu Deo Sai?

A prominent figure in the BJP, Vishnu Deo Sai  is the former state chief of the BJP as well as a former union minister in PM-Modi led Central government.

Sai hails from the influential Sahu (Teli) community which has a sizable presence in the Durg, Raipur and Bilaspur divisions. He served as State President of the party for Chhattisgarh from 2020 to 2022. Sai was the Union Minister of State for Mines, Steel in the first PM Modi cabinet.

A massive name among the tribal voters, Vishnu Deo Sai started his political career from the grass-root levels. Sai was elected as a ‘panch’ of Bagia village panchayat in 1989 and a year later became the Sarpanch (village head) after being elected unopposed.

Sai’s first foray into state-level politics did not go as planned as he lost the 1998 assembly polls from the Pathalgaon seat. However, a year later, the tribal leader won four consecutive Lok Sabha elections from the Raigarh constituency from 1999 to 2014.

The BJP did not field Sai in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

59-year-old Sai is the fourth chief minister of Chhattisgarh state, which was created in 2020.

Chhattisgarh Assembly Election 2023

The BJP won a decisive victory in the recently held state Assembly elections, winning 54 seats in 90-member Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly while the incumbent Congress was ousted from power, winning only 35 seats.

“The BJP’s legislative party meeting will be held on Sunday. The party’s three observers – Union ministers Arjun Munda and Sarbananda Sonowal, and party general secretary Dushyant Kumar Gautam – will be present in the meeting,” the party’s state unit president Arun Sao told reporters on Saturday.

#WATCH | On government formation in the state, Chhattisgarh BJP chief Arun Sao in Raipur says,” BJP Legislative Party meeting with take place tomorrow, 10th December. Arjun Munda, Sarbanada Sonowal, and Dushyant Gautam will take a meeting of the MLAs.” pic.twitter.com/gtyk2JQVGH

— ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2023

Chhattisgarh BJP MLAs are meeting tomorrow to decide who will be their leader and the next chief minister. The suspense about who will become the chief minister is likely to end after this meeting.

The BJP didn’t announce its chief ministerial candidate before the assembly elections last month. The meeting will include 54 newly elected MLAs, and three party observers – Union ministers Arjun Munda and Sarbananda Sonowal, and party general secretary Dushyant Kumar Gautam. Other party leaders like Om Mathur, Mansukh Mandaviya, and Nitin Nabin will also be present.

The BJP won 54 out of 90 seats in the state, while the Congress, which had 68 seats in 2018, only managed to secure 35 seats this time. There’s speculation that the BJP might choose an OBC or tribal chief minister if it doesn’t pick Raman Singh. Contenders from the tribal community include former Union minister Vishnu Deo, Renuka Singh, Ramvichar Netam, Lata Usendi, and Gomti Sai.

Tribal communities make up 32 percent of the state’s population, and the BJP secured 17 out of 29 seats reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST) in the recent election. Additionally, one tribal candidate won from the unreserved Premnagar seat in Surajpur district. This is a significant improvement for the BJP, as they had won only three seats reserved for tribals in 2018.

The BJP’s success in the tribal-dominated Surguja division, where they won all 14 seats this time (compared to Congress winning all in 2018), is considered a key factor in their overall victory. Prominent leaders like Vishnudeo Sai, Renuka Singh, Ramvichar Netam, and Gomti Sai come from this division.

State BJP chief Arun Sao, who resigned as an MP after being elected as an MLA, and bureaucrat-turned-politician O.P. Choudhary, both from Other Backward Classes (OBC), are also potential candidates for the Chief Minister position. Sao belongs to the influential Sahu (Teli) community, which has a significant presence in the Durg, Raipur, and Bilaspur divisions. OBCs constitute around 45 percent of the state’s population.

On Thursday, almost all major exit-polls had forecasted clear majority for the Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress dispensation in the state while others had predicted a close contest with the BJP.

However, the BJP had expressed confidence it will prove exit polls wrong and win at least 58 seats in the 90-seat Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly, a prophecy which came eerily close to fulfillment as the party is likely to end with at least 54 seats, just four short of the number prophesized by former CM Raman Singh.

Chhattisgarh went to the polls in two phases on November 7 and 17 and the counting of votes, along with that of three other states, took place on December 3. Votes in Mizoram will be counted on December 4.

Stay tuned to India.com as we bring you all the updates from the Chhattisgarh Assembly Election Results 2023.

On Thursday, almost all major exit-polls had forecasted clear majority for the Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress dispensation in the state while others had predicted a close contest with the BJP.

However, the BJP had expressed confidence it will prove exit polls wrong and win at least 58 seats in the 90-seat Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly, a prophecy which came eerily close to fulfillment as the party is likely to end with at least 54 seats, just four short of the number prophesized by former CM Raman Singh.

Chhattisgarh went to the polls in two phases on November 7 and 17 and the counting of votes, along with that of three other states, took place on December 3. Votes in Mizoram will be counted on December 4.

Stay tuned to India.com as we bring you all the updates from the Chhattisgarh Assembly Election Results 2023.

According to poll-pundits, the Congress is tipped to retain power in the state with all major exit-polls giving the ruling party a clear edge over main rivals BJP. As many as three exit polls have predicted a clear majority for the Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress dispensation in the state while others have forecasted a close contest with the BJP, with the ruling party emerging victorious.

However, the BJP are expected to put up a tougher fight unlike 2018 Assembly elections when the grand-old party sweeped the polls. The opposition party, which aims to regain its former bastion, has expressed confidence it will prove exit-polls wrong and win at least 58 seats in the 90-seat Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly.

Chhattisgarh Assembly Election Result 2023: Date And Time

The counting of votes for the Chhattisgarh assembly polls is scheduled to take place on December 3, (Sunday), as mandated by the Election Commission of India(ECI). Counting is set to begin at 8 AM IST.

Where And How To Watch Live Streaming Of Counting:

Catch the real-time coverage of counting of votes and results by tuning into Zee News on your favorite cable network or OTT platform. You can also stream ZEE News Live TV online by visiting this link zeenews.india.com/hindi/live-tv.

You can also catch the live streaming of results, counting and other election-related insights, stories and trends on the popular OTT platform Zee5. Download the Zee5 App now and subscribe for news, movies, exclusives, and more.

Chhattisgarh Assembly Election 2023: How To Check Results On The Web

• Visit the official website of the Election Commission of India (ECI) (https://eci.gov.in/)
• Click on the ‘Election’ tab.
• Click on ‘Chhattisgarh’.
• Detailed results of Chhattisgarh Assembly Elections 2023 will be displayed on your screen.

Chhattisgarh Assembly Election 2023: How To Check Results On Phone

• Download the Voter Helpline app on Google Play or Apple App Store on your Android or iOS devices, respectively.
• Open the app and complete registration. (Registration is NOT mandatory)
• Go to results, and tap ‘Assembly Elections 2023’.
• Tap on ‘Chhattisgarh’.
• Constituency-wise results should be displayed on your screen.
• Chhattisgarh is tipped to feature a head-to-head poll battle between the ruling Congress and the BJP.

Chhattisgarh Assembly Elections: Key dates

• Date of nomination: 13 October, 2023
• Nomination ends: 2o October, 2023
• Last date of withdrawal: 23 October, 2023
• Date of polling: November 07, 2023

Phase II

• Date of nomination: 21 October, 2023
• Nomination ends: 3o October, 2023
• Last date of withdrawal: 02 November, 2023
• Date of polling: November 17, 2023
• Date of counting/Declaration Of Results: 03 December, 2023

For all the in-depth coverage of Assembly Elections 2023, download the India.com mobile App on your Android and iOS devices and stay updated on all the latest trends, insights, and other important stories about elections, politics, and more.

Stay tuned to India.com for all the LIVE updates related for all the seats in the Chhattisgarh Assembly Elections 2023. Find out who will be the winners, losers, victory margin, and all other details during our special election result coverage.

As many as three exit polls have predicted a clear majority for the Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress dispensation in the state while others have forecasted a close contest with the BJP, albeit a victory for the ruling party nonetheless.

Check out some of the major exit poll predictions below:

ABP C-Voter Exit poll:

According to ABP C-Voter predictions, Congress is poised to win 41-53 seats in the 90-seat Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly. The C-Voter exit poll predicts the BJP winning 36-48 seats and others 0-4 seats.

India Today-Axis My India Exit poll:

The exit poll has predicted a close contest between the BJP and Congress with the ruling party emerging victorious, winning 40-50 seats while the opposition can land anywhere between 36-46 seats. Other parties are predicted to win 1-5 seats.

India TV-CNX Exit poll:

As per the CNX exit poll, Congress will secure a clear majority with 46- 56 seats while the BJP is likely to win 30-40 seats. It has predicted 3-5 seats for others.

Jan Ki Baat Exit poll:

The Jan Ki Baat exit poll sets Congress and the BJP neck-to-neck winning 42-53 and 34-45 respectively while others are likely to win 0-3 seats.

P-Marq Exit poll:

The P-Marq poll said Congress is poised to win 46-54 seats with 44.6 per cent vote, BJP 35-42 seats with 42.9 per cent vote and others will get 0-2 seats with 12.5 per cent votes.

Today’s Chanakya Exit poll:

Today’s Chanakya has predicted that Congress will get 57-66 seats in Chhattisgarh with BJP getting 33-42 seats with 0-3 seats going to the others.

Chhattisgarh Polls

Chhattisgarh went to the polls in two phases on November 7 and 17 and the counting of votes, along with that in the other four states, will take place on December 3. The exit poll predictions came after polling concluded in Telangana, the last of the five states that went to polls this month.

In 2018, the Congress won 68 seats in Chhattisgarh and the BJP won 15 seats. Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) won five seats, while the Bahujan Samaj Party won two seats.

(With inputs from agencies)

As many as three exit polls have predicted a clear majority for the Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress dispensation in the state while others have forecasted a close contest with the BJP, with the ruling party emerging victorious.

Stay tuned to India.com as we bring you all the updates from the Chhattisgarh Assembly Election 2023 Exit Polls