The 2023 Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly election was held in two phases on 7 November and 17 November 2023 to elect all 90 members of the state’s Legislative Assembly. The results were announced on 3 December 2023.
The election was a closely contested battle between the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress (INC). The BJP had been in power in Chhattisgarh since 2003, but the INC was hoping to make a comeback.
Background
The BJP won the 2018 Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly election with 49 seats, while the INC won 38 seats. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) won 6 seats, the Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (JCC) won 3 seats, and other parties won 4 seats.
Campaign
The BJP’s campaign focused on its record of development in the state. The party highlighted its achievements in areas such as infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
The INC’s campaign focused on the BJP’s failure to address the state’s key challenges, such as unemployment and farmer distress. The party also promised to provide free electricity to farmers and to waive farmer loans.
Results
The BJP won 55 seats, while the INC won 35 seats. The BSP won 4 seats, the JCC won 1 seat, and other parties won 0 seats.
The BJP’s victory was a major setback for the INC. The party’s failure to make a comeback in Chhattisgarh is a sign of its diminishing popularity in the country.
Analysis
The BJP’s victory in Chhattisgarh can be attributed to several factors, including:
- The BJP’s strong track record in the state: The BJP has been in power in Chhattisgarh since 2003, and during this time, the state has seen significant development in areas such as infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
- The INC’s failure to provide a strong alternative: The INC’s campaign was lackluster, and the party failed to provide a clear vision for the future of Chhattisgarh.
- The BJP’s effective use of social media: The BJP used social media effectively to reach out to voters, particularly in rural areas.
The BJP’s victory in Chhattisgarh is a major political victory for the party. However, the BJP will need to address the state’s key challenges, such as unemployment and farmer distress, if it wants to retain power in the next election.
