Chhattisgarh elections 2023: Adivasi votes become gamechanger for BJP

Presently, the saffron party has secured a lead in 54 seats, while the Congress is only leading in 34 seats.

| Updated: 03 December, 2023 5:53 pm IST

BJP moves towards a victory in the state of Chhattisgarh

NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has now established a newfound vote base in the Adivasi populace in Chhattisgarh, taking away the Congress’ base despite its promise of conducting a caste survey.

Districts with high tribal density, such as Bastar, Dantewada and Bijapur, among others, have now seen the resurgence of the saffron party, having taken away vote share from both the Grand Old Party and the smaller regional parties. Presently, the saffron party has secured a lead in 54 seats, while the Congress is only leading in 34 seats.

#ChhattisgarhElections2023: BJP Leaders and workers celebrate in Chhattisgarh as party sprints ahead with a 53-seat lead in the 90-assembly constituency.
Congress trails with 34 Seats.

Reports: @nibirdeka #ElectionResults #ChhattisgarhElections2023 #AssemblyElectionResults… pic.twitter.com/BV3otcH6AA

— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) December 3, 2023

According to Election Commission of India data, the party has secured a resounding amount of voter share with 13 per cent of the votes swinging in its favour. In cumulation, the BJP has secured 46 per cent of the votes, with the Congress only being able to secure 41 per cent of the votes. However, counting is still underway.

Districts such as Bastar and Dantewada which have 66 per cent and 77 per cent tribal density respectively, according to National Health Systems Resource Centre, have seen the BJP making inroads. To put matters into perspective, BJP’s stint in the Jagdalpur constituency, has seen it leading with a clear margin of 22,705 votes. On the other hand, it has also secured a lead in the Dantewada seat as well whooshing past its Congress counterpart with a margin of 12,567 votes. The district has a tribal density of 77 per cent.

Taking to the drawing board is the only course of action left for the Grand Old Party. Presently, the Congress has not managed to retrieve its voter base in the Sahu community either, with the BJP dominating over the OBC community, with Arun Sao being a potential CM candidate.

On the other hand, incumbent CM Bhupesh Baghel has finally managed to claim a lead over his nephew Vijay Baghel in his home constituency of Patan.