Patan: The Patan constituency in the Chhattisgarh Assembly election is gearing up to be a highly contested seat, with two prominent candidates entering the race. Chief Minister Bhupendra Baghel and Amit Jogi, son of former CM Ajit Jogi, filed their nominations on Monday, setting the stage for an intriguing political showdown.
Amit Jogi, the leader of Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J), emphasized that his candidacy represented more than just a political race. He framed it as a battle against corruption and a fight for the rights of the marginalized sections of Patan, including the poor, SC-ST, and MBC classes. Jogi associated himself with various victims of different issues, from PSC scam victims to those affected by housing problems and broken promises, making his campaign a symbol of the people’s struggle against corruption.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Bhupendra Baghel expressed his confidence in the Congress’s chances of retaining power in the state. He officially filed his nomination from Patan, his traditional seat in Durg district, where he has been elected five times in the past. Baghel’s nomination filing event was attended by Chhattisgarh assembly speaker Charan Das Mahant and state Home Minister Tamradhwaj Sahu, showing a unified front within the Congress.
Before filing his nomination, Baghel shared moments from his nomination preparation on social media, including his wife applying a ’tilak’ on his forehead at their residence in Bhilai. The Chief Minister’s strong political history in Patan, having won the seat in 1993, 1998, 2003, 2013, and 2018, speaks to his enduring popularity in the region.
The opposition BJP, aware of Baghel’s influence in Patan, has fielded Vijay Baghel, the Lok Sabha member from Durg and Bhupendra Baghel’s nephew. Both Baghel and Vijay Baghel belong to the Kurmi community, an influential OBC group in Chhattisgarh, making this election even more intriguing.
The battle for the Patan constituency is not only a face-off between two prominent politicians but also a test of public sentiment and the capacity to address local concerns. As the election unfolds, all eyes are on Patan, waiting to witness the outcome of this fierce political contest.