'BJP Sure To Lose': Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel Projects Victory On 18-19 Seats In Phase 1 Polling

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said the BJP was losing the first phase of elections in the state adding that Congress will win 18 to 19 seats.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel ( Image Source :PTI )

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Wednesday exuded confidence about his party winning a clear majority on in the first phase of polls in the state. He also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's involvement in the Mahadev betting app case in whichi Baghel's name has been mired. 

"BJP is losing in the first phase of elections," Baghel said speaking to ANI.  "In the first phase (elections) we will win 18-19 seats," he added. 

On being asked about Prime Minister Modi's jibe at Baghel over the Mahadev betting app case during a rally in Madhya Pradesh's Damoh, the Congress leader said, "What is PM Modi's involvement in the 'Mahadev' betting app that should be told, because the app is still operating and why have there been no arrests yet in the case." 

#WATCH | Bilaspur: Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel says, "BJP is losing in the first phase of elections & therefore there have been raids at the residence of the person who keeps accounts of the elections...What is PM Modi's involvement in the 'Mahadev' betting app that should be… pic.twitter.com/Qn4gGRUMU4

— ANI (@ANI) November 8, 2023

"Why is the Prime Minister giving protection," Baghel questioned further. 

The first phase of polling took place for 20 seats in Chhattisgarh for the 90-member Legislative Assembly with a provisional voter turnout of 71.48 per cent. The voting was held in two different time slots due to security reasons amid Naxalite violence and call for a boycott. 

Voting for 10 constiuencies began at 7 am and went up till 3 pm while for the rest of the constituencies, the polling was held between 8 am and 5 pm under a thick security blanket of police and paramilitary personnel in the Naxalite-hit Bastar division.

"An average voter turnout of 71.48 per cent was recorded in the first phase of the Chhattisgarh elections on Tuesday. However, this figure may go up as the final data from several booths was yet to be received," a poll official said, according to PTI.