What caused the stunning turnaround in Chhattisgarh?

RAIPUR: Beating perception and exit polls, BJP secured a resounding victory in Chhattisgarh by clinching 54 of the state's 90 assembly seats, dethroning Congress and demonstrating the influence of PM Narendra Modi.

PM Modi's emphasis on the corruption allegations resonated with voters. When Modi said "they didn't even spare Mahadev" - a reference to the Mahadev app betting scam - it stuck. When he took Baghel's name in reference to the corruption charges, it hit hard. Congress was further hit by protests over recruitment irregularities, including a half-nude demonstration by Dalit youths that went viral. Charges of corruption, including coal, liquor, DMF fund and PSC recruitment scams, marred the Congress government's image. One of the key reasons for Congress's ouster is said to be infighting, with some leaders allegedly acting as saboteurs.



A defining moment in BJP's triumph was Ishwar Sahu's victory in the Sajja constituency. He is the father of the youth who was murdered in communal violence in Biranpur (part of Sajja) in April. At a rally in ex-CM Raman Singh's constituency Rajnandgaon a month before the polls, Union home minister Amit Shah highlighted Sahu's name and said: "Congress will continue with its politics of appeasement if it wins the election again in Chhattisgarh."

Sahu, a political greenhorn, resonated powerfully with voters and secured a significant win over Congress minister Ravindra Choubey by over 5,000 votes. Congress, confident in its substantial majority of 71 MLAs, was stunned by the final score. Most ministers lost, and even CM Bhupesh Baghel trailed for a few rounds on his home turf Patan. Congress wasn't expecting defeat. An example of how laidback Congress was in reacting to BJP's promise of a monthly allowance of Rs 1,000 to every married woman. The state leadership woke up after nine days and decided to match it after requests from party candidates.

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