Youth, especially first time voters, have defied all predictions and apprehensions in the first phase of polling held in the 12 assembly constituencies of Chhattisgarh’s Bastar division. Young voters led their parents and elders to the polling booths.
Vijjo Podiyam, 18, a first time voter from Chitrakote assembly constituency, said, “I am here to elect a good leader who would stand by us in our problems.”
Standing behind her in the long queue at a school in Bastanar in Chitrakote constituency, Masse Podiyam, another first time voter, said, “I am here to choose a good leader.”
At the Dargamapara middle school in Darbha block, first time voter Srinivas Rao was voting to ensure the BJP wins as it has brought all round development.
Fate of altogether 143 candidates has been sealed in the EVMs as the first phase of polls in 18 assembly constituencies of Chhattisgarh concluded on Monday evening. In Dantewada, a Maoist affected constituency, people travelled as far as 15 to 20 km to cast their vote.
Around 1 pm, the polling both at Patraras Primary School on the outskirts of Dantewada town had witnessed 80% of polling. “We saw the youngsters bringing their parents and grandparents on bicycles and motorcycles to this booth to vote,” said a CRPF jawan.
{{/usCountry}}Around 1 pm, the polling both at Patraras Primary School on the outskirts of Dantewada town had witnessed 80% of polling. “We saw the youngsters bringing their parents and grandparents on bicycles and motorcycles to this booth to vote,” said a CRPF jawan.
{{/usCountry}}Darbha polls 7 votes
Maoist opened fire at Kolenga polling station near Darbha ghati, few kilometre from the place where a chunk of top leadership of state Congress was wiped out in deadly Maoist ambush on May 25 this year. The security forces retaliated.
There was however no report of any injury. Of the 2,200 registered voters only seven had voted at Kolenga which is considered to be a stronghold of the rebels.