Rebel Candidates Add Intrigue to Chhattisgarh Elections: Congress Bears Double the Rebel Brunt Compared to BJP

• As the State Heads to Second Phase of Voting, Rebels Pose a Challenge for Major Parties

TFP Bureau Report, Nov 16, 2023: With the second phase of voting for 70 seats in the Chhattisgarh Assembly scheduled for November 17, both the Congress and BJP face a peculiar challenge—rebel candidates vying for victory after being denied official tickets. The rebel factor is particularly prominent in this election, with Congress grappling with twice the number of rebel candidates as the BJP.

Notably, six rebel candidates are contesting on BJP’s behalf, while the Congress contends with 12 rebel candidates. This unexpected twist adds complexity to the electoral landscape, affecting key constituencies in the second phase.

BJP Rebels:

1. Ram Bai Dewangan: Contending from Bhatgaon Assembly against BJP’s official candidate Laxmirajwade, Dewangan, the former vice president of BJP District Morcha, is challenging party lines.
2. Shiv Bhagat: In open rebellion against BJP candidate Raimuni Bhagat in Jashpur Assembly, Shiv Bhagat adds an element of unpredictability to the race.
3. Gopika Gupta: Choosing to rebel against BJP’s official candidate OP Chaudhary, Gupta contests from Raigarh Assembly, creating a contest within the party.
4. Chandni Bhardwaj: Rebel candidate from Masturi Assembly contesting on Congress ticket against BJP’s official candidate Dr. Krishnamurthy Bandhi.
5. JP Yadav and Sangeeta Ketan Shah: Both contesting elections from Vaishali Nagar Assembly in rebellion against BJP’s official candidate Rickesh Sen.
6. RK Rai: Contending from Gunderdehi Assembly on Congress ticket after rebelling against BJP’s official candidate Virendra Sahu.

Congress Rebels:

1. Pradeep Khes: Rebels against Congress’s official candidate Vinay Bhagat in Jashpur Assembly, injecting an element of competition.
2. Anubhav Tiwari: Contending on AAP ticket from Sakti Assembly in rebellion against Congress’s official candidate Dr. Charandas Mahanta.
3. Jogi: Rebels against Baleshwar Sahu, the official candidate of Congress from Jaijaipur Assembly, by contesting on Congress ticket.
4. Gorelal Burman: Contesting from Pamgarh Assembly on Congress ticket, rebelling against Congress’s official candidate Sheshraj Harbansh.
5. Chhatrapal Singh: In rebellion against Congress’s official candidate Duleshwari Sidar from Palitanakhar Assembly, Singh contests on Congress ticket.
6. Sagar Singh Bais: Contests from Lormi Assembly in rebellion against Congress’s official candidate Thaneshwar Sahu, adding an independent voice.
7. Rooplal Kosare: Rebels against Congress’s official candidate Sanjit Banerjee, contesting from Mungeli Assembly.
8. Saraipali MLA Kismatlal Nand: In rebellion against Congress’s official candidate Chaturi Nand, Nand contests on Congress ticket.
9. Ajit Kukreja: Contests from Raipur North Assembly in rebellion against Congress’s official candidate Kuldeep Juneja, presenting an alternative choice.
10. Lokeshwari Sahu: Rebels against Congress’s official candidate Omkar Sahu, contesting from Dhamtari Assembly as an independent candidate.
11. Meena Sahu: Rebels against Congress’s official candidate Sangeeta Sinha in Balod Assembly, challenging party lines.
12. Gorelal Sahu: In rebellion against Congress’s official candidate Sandeep Sahu, Sahu contests from Kasdol Assembly, presenting an alternative choice.

As the state braces for the electoral showdown, these rebel candidates could play a decisive role in shaping the outcome of the Chhattisgarh Assembly elections.