Raipur, Nov 02: The Bahujan Samaj Party today said that it will contest for 55 out of 90 seats in Chhattisgarh for the December 1 assembly elections, but would not put up a candidate against Chief Minister Ajit Jogi. "We had earlier decided to contest from all the 90 seats but October 8 CBI raids by BJP against BSP president Mayawati and the subsequent changed political atmosphere forced us to reconsider our strategy and we have decided finally to put up candidates in 55 seats only," BSP national general secretary Narendra Kashyap told reporters here.

Releasing the names of candidates, Kashyap said that BSP state president Dauram Ratnakar will contest from Pamgarh which he represents currently but there will not be any candidate against Chief Minister Ajit Jogi.
To a question on contesting only 55 seats and not from all 90, the BSP leader said after evaluating the prospects the party decided to put up in those places where there is a chance to win.


"It has been decided to stop BJP from coming to power in the state in the wake of changed political atmosphere after CBI raid on Mayawati," he added.

He also denied of a secret alliance with the ruling Congress in the state.

Bureau Report