The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Chhattisgarh is targeting a clean sweep of the state’s 11 Lok Sabha seats in the upcoming elections. The BJP is relying on the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the state government’s programs for farmers and women. The party won 54 out of 90 seats in the Chhattisgarh assembly last year and aims to secure all 11 Lok Sabha seats. The Congress, on the other hand, faces challenges with leadership and allegations of scams. The Lok Sabha polls in Chhattisgarh will be held in three phases on April 19, April 26, and May 7, with vote counting on June 4.

The BJP’s strengths lie in PM Modi’s unmatched popularity, which played a significant role in the party’s victory in the last year’s assembly polls. Additionally, the party has traditionally performed well in Lok Sabha elections in the state, winning nine out of 11 seats in 2019. The state government under Vishnu Deo Sai has also implemented various welfare schemes, fulfilling ‘Modi ki guarantee’ with financial assistance to women and aid to farmers. However, a weak and lack of a popular party face in the state could be considered a weakness for the BJP.

For the Congress, its strengths include the welfare schemes introduced by the previous government in the state and the popularity of former CM Bhupesh Baghel as a regional leader. The party has strengthened its organisational set-up till the booth level. However, factionalism, infighting, and allegations of scams against the Baghel-led government pose challenges for the Congress. The party seeks to take advantage of BJP’s reliance on central leadership for campaigning and the absence of a strong saffron party face in the state. The ‘Modi factor’ and the Congress’s loss in the state assembly elections last year could also impact its prospects in the Lok Sabha polls.

Both parties have opportunities and threats in the upcoming elections. The BJP can capitalize on public anger against alleged scams during the previous Congress government and differences among Congress leaders in the state. However, it also faces criticism on issues like inflation, unemployment, and uneven operation of passenger trains. The Congress can use BJP’s reliance on central leadership and the absence of a strong saffron party face in the state to its advantage, but it is overshadowed by the ‘Modi factor’ and the impact of last year’s loss in the state assembly elections.