With the electoral future of Chhattisgarh assembly polls candidates now sealed in EVM machines, several of the politicians are now on a temple run, apparently seeking final divine intervention in their favour in the form of a victory.
Many prominent candidates including the state presidents of both Congress and BJP were seen visiting well known temples across Chhattisgarh and even other parts of the country during the past few days, in most cases accompanied by family members.
Chhattisgarh polls, held in two phases on November 7 and 17, saw an overall turnout of 76.31 per cent, marginally less than the turnout of 76.88 per cent in 2018.
There have been speculations and also opinion poll indications that the ruling Congress led by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel might retain the state due to its welfare measures focused on rural economy, farmers and women. However, the opposition BJP that looked in tatters a few months ago is said to have covered quite some ground during the last three months, posing a challenge to the ruling party.
The marginally low voters’ turnout is being considered by political watchers as being in favour of the ruling party, but the final outcome remains sealed in the EVMs and will become known only on December 3.
Meanwhile, the politicians have decided to shift their appeals from voters to divine power.
CM Baghel took a pre-sunrise holy dip in the river Kharun at Mahadev Ghat in Raipur on occasion Kartik Poornima on Sunday, but it is an annual ritual for Baghel and therefore cannot be linked to the polls.
However, Congress state president and member of parliament, Deepak Baij, who is also party candidate for assembly polls from Chitrakot seat, visited the famous Mahakal temple of Ujjain of neighbouring Madhya Pradesh a few days ago. He was accompanied by family members and posted photographs on social media platform X, saying that he sought blessings of Lord Mahakaleshwar and prayed for the happiness, peace and prosperity of all Chhattisgarh residents.
BJP state president, member of parliament and Lormi candidate of the party Arun Sao visited the famous Mahamaya temple at Ratanpur (Bilaspur) and sought blessings on the occasion of his birthday two days ago. He too was accompanied by family members. Sao has also been visiting other temples including those in his ancestral village Lohdia in Mungeli district.
Minister and Konta candidate of Congress Kawasi Lakhma, visited a tribal deity temple at Meradam of Telangana during his election campaign tour there. The Samakka-Saralamma Devi temple here is considered as one of the biggest religious and social spots for tribal people, especially the Koya tribe in Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.
Former minister BJP’s Raipur (South) candidate Brijmohan Agrawal visited the famous Rajiv Lochan temple at the confluence town of Rajim to seek blessings with his family members. Interestingly, he also sought Mahant Ram Sundar Das of Dudhadhari Math, who is the Congress candidate against him, during a chance meeting at Rajim. All these leaders posted their temple visits on social media platforms.
According to sources, among other leaders who have sought divine blessings for victory post polling include BJP candidate Dharmajit Singh who reached Maa Sharda temple in Maihar of neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, Congress Vaishali Nagar candidate Mukesh Chandrakar who visited Mahakal temple in Ujjain and BJP candidate Ramvichar Netam who sought blessings at Budhadev temple. Congress candidate from Keshkal seat, Santram Netam, visited religious town Haridwar and sought blessings at various temples and ashrams there.
