Chief Minister Ajit Jogi was accorded a heros welcome as he reached Bilaspur district to file his nominations from Marwahi (ST) seat. Jogi, who filed his nomination papers at 2.32 pm was the first candidate to do so from Marwahi.
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is yet to declare its candidate, while the BJP has fielded leader of opposition Nand Kumar as its nominee from Marwahi. Apart from Jogi, Assembly Speaker, Rajendra Prasad Shukla and Anil Tah also filed nominations for Kota and Bilaspur assembly segments.
Six Congress (I) candidates, two BJP nominee, 8 Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), one Gondwana Ganatantra Party and independents also filed their nomination papers for Assembly election. A total of 27 candidates filed their nomination papers for eleven Legislative seats of the district. Today was the third date of filing nomination papers.
Ashok Agrawal, a Samajwadi party candidate, also managed the impressive background of 20-30 carloads of his electorate while presenting the nomination papers to the Returning Officer of his Bilaspur constituency.
Thus far the district's biggest and the most jubilant election rally was witnessed today at Congress Bhavan to collectorate building. Over 20,000 people are estimated to have participated in the rally that accorded a rousing reception to Jogi.
{{/usCountry}}Thus far the district's biggest and the most jubilant election rally was witnessed today at Congress Bhavan to collectorate building. Over 20,000 people are estimated to have participated in the rally that accorded a rousing reception to Jogi.
{{/usCountry}}Jogi is contesting for the second consecutive elections from Marwahi. Jogi reached Bilaspur from Raipur by road and then proceeded to Mahamaya temple to offer prayer before arriving at the collectorate in a procession from the district Congress office.
Enthusiatic people on over 40 tractors and medium vehicles received Jogi at number of villages along the main road. Remarkably, unlike in 2001 bye election, majority of Jogi's followers were youngsters.