63.41% Voter Turnout in Bastar Lok Sabha Seat Election Amid Tragic Incidents
Raipur
The electoral battle for the Bastar Lok Sabha seat in Chhattisgarh witnessed a notable voter turnout of 63.41% as the voting concluded on Friday at 5 p.m. Despite the enthusiasm among voters, the election was overshadowed by tragic incidents.
During the polling process, CRPF Constable Devendra Kumar (32) lost his life in separate blasts that occurred in Bijapur, highlighting the persistent security challenges in the region. An Assistant Commandant was also injured in the incidents.
The electoral contest in Bastar was primarily between Congress’s Kawasi Lakhma, known as ‘Dadi,’ and the BJP’s Mahesh Kashyap, with the overarching issues of Naxalism, infrastructure, and social development largely absent from the discourse.
In a poignant gesture, the relatives of the martyred constable will receive Rs 30 lakh in assistance, while the injured will receive Rs 15 lakh, offering some solace amid the tragedy.
The first blast in Bijapur, triggered by a UBGL shell, occurred just 500 meters away from a polling booth, claiming the life of Constable Devendra Kumar. Despite swift medical intervention, he succumbed to his injuries at Jagdalpur Medical College.
In a separate incident in Chihakka, Bhairamgarh, an IED blast injured Assistant Commandant Manu HC of CRPF-62/E, who was deployed for area domination operations.
Amidst these grim occurrences, the commitment of rural voters in the Gutturaras region of Bastar was remarkable, as they traversed difficult terrain to cast their votes in Miriwaada, expressing hope for developmental initiatives in their villages.
The highest voter turnout of 73.49% was recorded in Chitrakote, an area represented by the incumbent MP and Pradesh Congress President, Deepak Baij, while Bijapur witnessed the lowest voter participation at 41.62%.
Comparing to the figures from 2019, this year’s voter turnout in Bastar was 2.63% higher, signaling a continued engagement of the electorate despite challenges.
In Sukma district, however, the village of Purvati remained deserted as residents, fearing Naxalite threats, abstained from voting, underscoring the persistent security concerns in certain areas.
While the electoral process in Bastar concluded without major incidents, the focus now shifts to the subsequent phases of voting for the remaining Lok Sabha seats in Chhattisgarh, scheduled on April 26 and May 7.
