Lok Sabha Elections 2019: What polls in last 15 years in Chhattisgarh indicate

The 2018 Assembly polls in Chhattisgarh came as a shocker to the BJP as the Congress wrested the Maoist-hit state from the saffron party, showcasing its best sign of resurgence. The Congress won 68 seats while the BJP relegated to a distant second spot, winning just 15 seats. The JCC-BSP combine won seven seats.

The BJP’s seat share dropped to 15 from 49 in the 2013 Assembly elections while the Congress’ seat share witnessed a big jump from 39 to 68.

However, the exit poll predictions show that the Congress might fail to capitalise on the gains it made in the 2018 Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh.

The BJP which had lost its governments in three states – Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan – in assembly elections, will manage to hold on to its Lok Sabha seats, according to the exit polls.

The poll of polls predicts that the BJP is likely to win seven seats in Chhattisgarh. The Congress is expected to win only four of the 11 seats.

What happened in 2014 Lok Sabha polls

The BJP dominated the 2014 Lok Sabha polls in Chhattisgarh which was then its stronghold, bagging 10 of the 11 seats while the Congress bagged only one.

The saffron retained the seats of Surguja, Raigarh, Janjgir-Champa, Korba, Bilaspur, Rajnandgaon, Raipur, Mahasamund, Bastar and Kanker while the Congress won the Durg seat.

What happened in 2009 Lok Sabha polls

In the 2009 Lok Sabha polls too, the BJP had won 10 of the seats while the Congress had managed to get only in its kitty.

The seats won by the BJP included Surguja, Raigarh, Janjgir-Champa, Durg, Bilaspur, Rajnandgaon, Raipur, Mahasamund, Bastar and Kanker while the Korba seat went to the Congress.

The election was marred by Naxalite violence in several of the state's constituencies. Out of approximately 15.4 million eligible voters 55.29 per cent exercised their right to vote.

What happened in 2004 Lok Sabha polls

This is the first time, that an election took place in this state after it achieved statehood from Madhya Pradesh in 2000. The result was National Democratic Alliance winning overwhelmingly by capturing 10 out of the 11 seats, while the United Progressive Alliance, captured only 1 seat.