Chhattisgarh polls: 70% turnout in phase 1, what’s at stake for Cong, BJP

Hindustan Times Associate Editor Kumar Uttam reports from the ground on voting in Phase 1 of the Chhattisgarh assembly elections and what's AT on stake for the BJP and the Congress. Voters cast their ballot in 18 seats spread across seven Maoist-affected districts and Rajnandgaon amid heavy security. Congress had won 12 out of these 18 seats in the last assembly elections. However, the BJP feels that the government's developmental work will help the party reclaim the seats this time, especially in the Bastar region. The BJP also hopes to improve its tally in Rajnandgaon. Phase 2 of polling for the balance 72 seats in the state will be held on November 20th.