RAIPUR: Voting for first phase of panchayat elections got underway in Chhattisgarh on Monday, with nearly 76% voters casting their ballot. CM Vishnu Deo Sai said this was the first time that Maoists haven’t dared oppose rural elections in the state.
“For the first time in 40 years, people of more than 130 polling stations in the worst Maoist-affected districts of Sukma and Bijapur cast their votes and participated in the festival of democracy,” said the CM.
Locals of Puwarti, the native village of dreaded Maoist commander Hidma, also turned out to vote. “Reports of the end of Naxalism and the victory of democracy bring a sense of deep satisfaction,” he said, adding: “In Bastar division, the influence of the ballot is now overtaking the bullet. This is the first time that Naxals have not opposed panchayat elections in Bastar.”
Sai said this had been possible due to the establishment of more than 40 new security camps in highly sensitive areas by govt. “The final nail in the coffin of Naxalism, which has been a cancer for Bastar, is being hammered in by our ‘double engine’ govt,” he said.
The most recent security camp – a CRPF forward operating base – was opened in Bijapur district’s Pujarikanker on Feb 13. The camp is strategically located to aid in the construction of a crucial road linking Bijapur with Usur and Pamed, one of the worst insurgency-affected regions. “As per the resolve of PM Modi and home minister Amit Shah, the eradication of Naxalism in Bastar is set to be achieved by March 2026. This is victory of democracy over forces of terror, Jai Bastar, Jai Chhattisgarh!” said Sai.
Voting began at 6.45am and ended at 2pm in Bastar division. The results will be announced Tuesday.