AMN / RAIPUR
Today is the last day for withdrawal of nominations for the second and final phase of Chhattisgarh Assembly elections. 72 of the total 90 constituencies will go to polls in this phase on the 20th of this month. The last day for filing of nominations was Friday, while scrutiny was held on Saturday.
Campaigning has picked up pace for the first phase, in which 18 constituencies in eight naxal-affected districts will go to polls on the 12th. Top leaders of various parties addressed rallies at various places to garner support for their candidates.
More than two thousand six hundred nominations were filed by the candidates in 72 assembly segments, which are going for poll in second phase on November 20. After scrutiny, One thousand two hundred and forty nine candidates have been left in the fray from these constituencies.
The highest number of forty nine candidates are from Raipur south constituency. The main concern of both the major parties, BJP and Congress, are the rebel candidates, who have filed their nominations as independent. Most of these candidates have been denied ticket by their party. Few of them could influence the outcome of the elections. Hence Congress and BJP are trying their best to persuade these candidates to withdraw from contest.