Chhattisgarh Political Heavyweights Enter Bihar Election Battlefield: Cross-State Strategy Unfolds

Political activities in Chhattisgarh have unexpectedly intensified following the announcement of Bihar Assembly election dates. Despite being separate states, both Congress and BJP in Chhattisgarh are preparing to assume significant roles in Bihar's consequential political contest.

The Congress party has designated former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel as the senior observer for the Bihar elections, clearly indicating their strategy to utilize Baghel's extensive organizational and electoral expertise. Simultaneously, the BJP's Chhattisgarh in-charge, Nitin Nabin, who also holds a ministerial position in the Bihar government, is anticipated to serve as a vital connection between the two states.

Consequently, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, accompanied by more than a dozen senior BJP leaders from Chhattisgarh, will establish temporary bases in Bihar to strengthen the NDA's campaign efforts. Ministers, MPs, and senior party officials are expected to be assigned responsibilities for specific assembly constituencies to enhance ground-level operations.

Having been entrusted with a significant national responsibility, Bhupesh Baghel has emerged as the central figure in Congress's campaign machinery for Bihar. "Vote theft will no longer be tolerated in Bihar," Baghel asserted, expressing confidence that the Congress-led alliance will form the government.

He highlighted that Rahul Gandhi's 16-day visit to Bihar will invigorate party workers and mobilize voters. According to Congress sources, alongside Baghel, AICC in-charge Devendra Yadav, who recently accompanied Rahul Gandhi during his Bihar tour, will oversee strategic operations in several critical constituencies.

Congress is also planning to deploy more than two dozen senior leaders from Chhattisgarh, many of whom have been tasked with managing specific districts and constituencies. Baghel's appointment has revitalized the state Congress, with numerous leaders viewing this as an opportunity to regain political momentum following their defeat in Chhattisgarh last year.

From the BJP side, sources indicate that Chief Minister Sai might be named a star campaigner, while prominent leaders like MP Santosh Pandey and cabinet ministers are being prepared for campaign responsibilities at the grassroots level.

The BJP perceives this as an opportunity to demonstrate its unity and coordination across different states.

Political sparring has already commenced. BJP MP Pandey critically remarked on Baghel's appointment as observer, stating, "Wherever Bhupesh Baghel goes, Congress collapses." Referring to Baghel as "the ATM of Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi," he suggested that the Congress intends to utilize this "ATM in due time."

Political analysts observe that the Bihar assignment carries substantial implications for Chhattisgarh's internal politics as well. For Baghel, this represents an opportunity to reinforce his national significance within Congress. For the BJP, it serves as a platform to portray Chief Minister Sai as a confident and influential leader beyond state boundaries.

As both parties mobilize their top leadership, the Bihar election has effectively transformed into a proxy battleground for political prestige in Chhattisgarh, where leadership roles, campaign performances, and inter-state coordination could influence the next phase of political narratives back home. In Chhattisgarh's corridors of power, one thing remains evident: the road to Patna is paved with political ambitions from Raipur.