Dantewada (Chhattisgarh), Dec 09: It was Maoists
versus Mahendra Karma, the Congress's Leader of Opposition in
Chhattisgarh, which led to the "unexpected" and maiden lotus
bloom in the 'red zone' of Dantewada constituency.
More than Congress MLA Karma's loss, it's the win of
BJP's Bheema Mandavi which surprises many as the CPI candidate
Manish Kunjam's anti-Salwa Judum campaign here had made him a
favourite among the rural masses. Kunjam had appeared a sure
winner in case Karma fell from grace.
Mandavi chances were considered bleak after two important
leaders of the saffron party were killed by Maoists in the
same constituency just a few days prior to the polls.
Despite the odds against him, Mandavi's victory margin
was quite impressive. He secured a total of 36,813 votes,
which accounted for 38.06 percent of the total 96,722 valid
votes cast. Kunjam got 24,805 (25.65 percent) and Karma
received 24,250 (25.07 percent votes) in his favour.
The Maoists antipathy with Karma, the architect of the
Salwa Judum movement in the state, dates long back and the
ultras from the very beginning made it clear that they will
leave no stone unturned to ensure that Karma loses this
election.
Karma, too, in his election meetings, had made it clear
that his contest is not with any political party but with the
Maoists.
Bureau Report
First Published: Tuesday, December 09, 2008, 00:00