Chhattisgarh assembly elections 2018 Highlights: Campaigning for first phase ends, Shah, Rahul trade barbs

A high-decibel election campaign dominated by the Maoist issue with nearly half a dozen attacks by Left wing extremists during the period came to end Saturday evening in 18 Assembly seats spread across eight Maoist-affected districts of Chhattisgarh that will go to polls in the first phase on November 12, reports news agency PTI.

7:55 pm IST

Amit Shah seeks 70,000 victory margin for Raman Singh

BJP president Amit Shah on Saturday called upon the voters to ensure the victory Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh from Rajnandgaon seat with a lead of over 70,000 votes against his rival in the ensuing Assembly polls. Singh’s victory margin from Rajnandgaon was over 35,000 votes in the last polls.

7:45 pm IST

Rahul accuses PM of insulting Cong leaders with ‘urban Naxals’ remark

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi by accusing him of insulting Congress leaders like Mahendra Karma and Narendra Kumar Patel, who fell to the bullets of Maoists in Chhattisgarh. “Our leaders in Chhattisgarh have made the real sacrifice by standing up against the menace of Naxals,” said Gandhi, while addressing a poll rally at Maoist-affected Jagdalpur, reports news agency ANI.

6:55 pm IST

Raman Singh has broken all development records in Chhattisgarh: Shah

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh has broken all records of development during his tenure, BJP president Amit Shah claimed Saturday, and sought to know what the Congress has done for the state.

Once counted among laggards, Chhattisgarh has now emerged as one of the most developed states in the country under the leadership of Singh, who became the chief minister in 2003, he said.

5:58 pm IST

Rahul promises all-loan waiver to farmers within 10 days of forming govt: ANI

Congress president Rahul Gandhi promised all-loan waiver to poor farmers of Chhattisgarh within 10 days of forming the government if voted to power in the state, reports news agency ANI.

5:45 pm IST

People’s affection and support is our strength: CM Raman Singh

“The people have faith in BJP’s administration. I’m glad at the large turnout during the roadshow in Rajnandgaon, their affection and support is our strength,” tweeted Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh.

छत्तीसगढ़ की जनता का @BJP4CGState के सुशासन पर विश्वास अटूट है। आज राजनांदगाँव रोड शो के दौरान जनसैलाब उमड़ आया। उनका अपार स्नेह और समर्थन हमारी ताकत है। #भाजपामय_छत्तीसगढ़ pic.twitter.com/U1Dpfpz4Ck

— Dr Raman Singh (@drramansingh) November 10, 2018

5:34 pm IST

Campaigning for first phase of Chhattisgarh elections concludes, reports ANI

Campaigning for the first phase of state Assembly Elections in Chhattisgarh has concluded. Voting for 18 constituencies to be held on November 12, reports news agency ANI.

5:28 pm IST

Rahul addresses booth workers at Lal Bagh Ground

Congress president Rahul Gandhi addresses booth workers at Lal Bagh Ground in Chhattisgarh’s Jagdalpur.

5:20 pm IST

Congress has always used farmers as a vote bank: Raman Singh

“Congress has always used farmers as a vote bank,” said CM Raman Singh.

5:17 pm IST

Congress is biggest obstacle in building Ram Temple: Adityanath

“The biggest obstacle in building the Ram Temple in Ayodhya is Congress. Congress doesn’t want Ram Temple to be built in Ayodhya. If Congress cannot support Lord Ram, it cannot be of any use to the people either,” said UP CM Yogi Aditynath while addressing a public meeting in Chhattisgarh’s Kawardha.

Bhagwan Ram ka bhavya mandir Ayodhya mein bane iss marg mein sabse badi baadha koi hai,toh Congress hai,kyunki Congress nahi chahati ki Ayodhya mein Ram Mandir bane. Jo Congress Ram ki nahi ho sakti woh hamare bhi kisi kaam ki nahi ho sakti: UP CM in Chhattisgarh's Kawardha pic.twitter.com/t9stJemXrO

— ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2018

3:30pm IST

Amit Shah’s roadshow at Rajnandgaon

LIVE: @BJP4India के राष्ट्रीय अध्यक्ष श्री @AmitShah जी, मुख्यमंत्री @drramansingh जी समेत अन्य पार्टी पदाधिकारी राजनांदगांव में रोड शो करते हुए। #भाजपामय_छत्तीगढ़https://t.co/lLy41xIBhr

— BJP Chhattisgarh (@BJP4CGState) November 10, 2018

2:54pm IST

Will be your soldier in Delhi: Rahul

We have old relations with Bastar. You remember Indira Gandhi. I will be your soldier in Delhi. I will be with you whenever you need: Rahul Gandhi.

2:50pm IST

Rahul targets BJP on Rafale

Our PM speaks of nationalism. During our time, the Air Force decided on Rafale. They wanted 126 jets. We decided to give the contract to HAL. Air Force told us they needed Rs 526 crore. But then PM Modi goes to France. The Rafale deal price increases to Rs 1,600 crore. When I asked him the question in Parliament, he was not able to look me in the eye: Rahul Gandhi in Kondagaon.

2:24pm IST

Thank people for Ram temple at Raipur: Yogi

Would like to thank the people of Chhattisgarh for the Ram temple at Raipur: Yogi Adityanath

1:46pm IST

Will make Chhattisgarh Maoist-free: Raman Singh

We will make Chhattisgarh Maoist-free. We will create welfare board for journalists. We will create film city. All students till Class 12 will get free books and uniforms: Raman Singh, Chhattisgarh CM.

1:40pm IST

We will open hostels, provide scholarships for poor: Rahul

We will open hostels, provide scholarships for poor. We will work for all sections of people, not on the basis of caste or religion. PM does not speak of GST or note ban now.: Rahul

1:37pm IST

Want to see MP and Chhattisgarh become food hubs of India: Rahul

Want to see MP and Chhattisgarh become food hubs of India.China employs 25,000 youth every 24 hours. Modi govt can give jobs to only 450 in 24 hours. Banks’ Rs 12.5 lakh crore given to 15 richest industrialists . We want that money to be given to people. We want people to be self-employed. We brought land acquisition bill to protect land of farmers and tribals: Rahul

1:33pm IST

Every block will have food processing units if we win: Rahul

Will waive off farm loans in 10 days if we come to power. Will fulfil the promises made by BJP also. Lakhs of youths are unemployed. Farmers do not get proper price. Bastar does not have industries. Every block will have food processing units if we win. Farmers will sell directly to these units. These factories will employ your sons and daughters: Rahul

1:28pm IST

Waived off farm loans in Punjab: Rahul

PM Modi gave Rs 3,50,000 crore to his industrialist friends. But farmers of Chhattisgarh get no help from him. He did not fulfil any promise he made in the last four-and-a-half years. We promised loan waver for farmers in Punjab. We did it: Rahul Gandhi

1:25pm IST

Will stop outsourcing of jobs: Rahul

40 lakh youth unemployed, tribal land given to industrialists, teachers’ posts vacant, no irrigation facilities in most lands despite 15 years of BJP rule. People of other states given employment here. We will stop it. People of Chhattisgarh will get jobs. Will give land to landless: Rahul Gandhi

1:22pm IST

PM mum on corruption in Chhattisgarh: Rahul

Chhattisgarh is rich, but people are poor. Your natural resources are distributed among the rich. Chhattisgarh is the poorest state in India. PM says he fights corruption, but when he comes to Chhattisgarh, he doesn’t speak of corruption.

1:17pm IST

Rahul Gandhi meets NGOs and civil society members

Congress President @RahulGandhi meets several stakeholder groups in Chhattisgarh, including Satnami Samaj , NGOs, Civil Society members & party workers. pic.twitter.com/qGRLbW0VKj

— Congress (@INCIndia) November 10, 2018

1:14pm IST

Why no action against CM’s son when his name appeared in Panama papers: Rahul

If the CM doesn’t want to answer that, then he should explain to the people of Chhattisgarh why no action has been taken against his son, whose name appeared in Panama papers? In Pakistan, the PM is jailed because his name appeared in Panama papers: Rahul Gandhi in Kanker, reports ANI.

1:10pm IST

Rahul accuses BJP leaders of corruption

Second is PDS scam. Rs 36,000 cr of the people of Chhattisgarh was looted. Diary mili, diary mein likha tha ‘CM madam ko paisa diya. Dr sahab ko paisa diya’. I ask Raman Singh ji who is this CM madam and Dr sahab whose names were found in the diary in connection with the scam: Rahul Gandhi, reports ANI.

1:05pm IST

CM Raman Singh involved in chit fund scam: Rahul Gandhi

Modi ji says he’s fighting corruption. But when he comes to Chhattisgarh, he doesn’t tell you the CM is corrupt. Your Rs 5,000 cr disappeared in chit fund scam, 310 FIRs were registered but no action was taken because CM was involved: Rahul Gandhi in Kanker, reports ANI.

12:50pm IST

Congress toyed with national security: Yogi

Be it Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Northeastern states or Kashmir, Congress did politics at the cost of national security. But for BJP, national security is top priority. We never tolerated threat to national security. No one has liberty to toy with national security: Yogi Adityanath, reports ANI.

12:46pm IST

Congress promoted Maoism: Yogi

Congress had promoted Maoism in this region for their own selfish motives. BJP govt is taking strict measures to combat it which has become a threat to people in this region. Congress toyed with national security for their political benefits: Yogi Adityanath, reports ANI.

12:37pm IST

PM ensuring house for all: Yogi

For the first time after independence, a PM announced that by 2022 no poor in India will be without a house. Had there not been a BJP govt at the Centre, people in Chhattisgarh wouldn’t have received the houses which they’re receiving now: UP CM Yogi Adityanath in Lormi,reports ANI.

12:32pm IST

Those who think Maoism is revolution can never work for Chhattisgarh: Shah

Congress left a budget of Rs 9,000 crore for Chhattisgarh. Today, it is Rs 87,000 crore. Farm production has risen, irrigation has been developed, rural roads have been developed. Those who think Maoism is revolution, they can never work for Chhattisgarh: Amit Shah

12:27pm IST

Amit Shah accuses previous UPA govt of neglecting Chhattisgarh

Farmers should get proper prices for their produce. It never happened earlier, but was possible only after BJP came to power. From a little over Rs 48,000 crore during UPA rule, Chhattisgarh got more than Rs 1,37,000 crore during PM Modi’s rule: Amit Shah

12:24pm IST

PM’s focus on Chhattisgarh: Amit Shah

3,48,000 scheduled caste people will be given 7lakh acre land. Be it rural electrification or higher education, Chhattisgarh has excelled. After becoming PM, Narendra Modi focussed on Chhattisgarh. Small state like Chhatiisgarh got Rs 3,000 crore aid from Centre: Amit Shah

12:20pm IST

Ensured no corruption in govt schemes: Amit Shah

Today there are cement industries in Chhattisgarh. The state has moved forward in education and industry. Our focus was on Antodyay. We tried to benefit farmers. Chhattisgarh made law on skill development for the poorer sections. We ensured all govt schemes reach people without any corrupt practices: Amit Shah

12:16pm IST

Raman Singh has dealt strongly with Maoism: Amit Shah

Chhattisgarh is an example of how to go about development in democracy. The BJP under CM Raman Singh has moved positively. Chhattisgarh was known as under-developed. In 15 years, it has moved towards development. Biggest achievement was fight against Maoism, the way he has dealt with it: Amit Modi

11:53am IST

Rahul pays tribute to Mini Mata

Congress president Rahul Gandhi pays floral tribute to Mini Mata in Rajnandgaon.

Chhattisgarh: Congress President pays floral tribute to Minimata in Rajnandgaon pic.twitter.com/D2UPphnkl8

— ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2018

11:05am IST

Rahul Gandhi in gurdwara

Congress president Rahul Gandhi visits gurdwara in Rajnandgaon and offers prayers.

Chhattisgarh: Congress President Rahul Gandhi visited a Gurudwara in Rajnandgaon today and offered prayers. pic.twitter.com/yZd1UA823F

— ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2018

10:06am IST

Yogi’s schedule tomorrow

Tomorrow, Yogi Adityanath will address one public meeting at Baikunthpur Dham and three in Durg district.

10:01am IST

Yogi to address eight meetings

UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath will address eight public meetings today and tomorrow. Today’s meetings are scheduled at Lormi and Mungeli in Mungeli district, Saja in Bemetara district and Kawardha in Kabirdham district.

9:57am IST

Preparations in Bijapur ahead of first phase of polls

#Chhattisgarh: Preparations underway in Bijapur ahead of the first phase legislative assembly elections on 12th November pic.twitter.com/pEtTSIRZEl

— ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2018