Newsbytes
  • India
  • Business
  • World
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
  • Auto
  • Lifestyle
  • Inspirational
  • Career
  • Bengaluru
  • Delhi
  • Mumbai
  • Videos
  • Visual Stories
  • Reviews
  • Phone Reviews
  • Fitness Bands Reviews
  • Speakers Reviews
  • Find Cricket Statistics
Hindi
More
In the news
Nitish Kumar
Bihar Government
Modi Government
Mahagathbandhan
Indian National Congress (INC)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Newsbytes
Hindi
Newsbytes
User Placeholder

Hi,

Logout


India
Business
World
Politics
Sports
Technology
Entertainment
Auto
Lifestyle
Inspirational
Career
Bengaluru
Delhi
Mumbai
Videos
Visual Stories
Reviews
Phone Reviews
Fitness Bands Reviews
Speakers Reviews
Find Cricket Statistics

More Links
  • Videos

Download Android App

Follow us on
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube
 
Home / News / Politics News / Ballot over bullets: Defying threats, residents of Bastar cast votes
Politics

Ballot over bullets: Defying threats, residents of Bastar cast votes

Ballot over bullets: Defying threats, residents of Bastar cast votes
Written by Shalini Ojha
Apr 11, 2019, 02:57 pm 3 min read
Ballot over bullets: Defying threats, residents of Bastar cast votes

Sending a strong message to Naxals and reinstating faith in democracy, voters of Bastar in Chhattisgarh turned up in huge numbers at polling booths to cast their votes. Polling in the Naxal-hit areas began on Thursday, during the first phase of the seven-legged general elections. Earlier, Naxals warned citizens and asked them to not participate in polling. Here's what we know so far.

Attack
Backstory: BJP MLA and security personnel died in IED blast

On Tuesday, a BJP lawmaker and four security personnel died in Dantewada district of the constituency. MLA Bhima Mandavi was returning from his campaign when his vehicle was blown up in an IED blast. The killed security personnel were identified as driver Danteshwar Maurya and jawans Chhagan Kuldeep, Somdu Kawasi and Ramlal Oyami. However, Election Commission maintained the schedule won't change.

Warning
Maoists warned citizens, asked them to not cast votes

Maoists scribbled warnings on walls of Bastar asking people to stay away from polls. The message was written on walls of Dantewada, Bijapur, Sukma and Narayanpur districts. While one of messages read: BJP ko maar bhagao (Force the BJP to flee), another one read: On the one hand the central government has sold the nation to corporates and on other they talk about nationalism.

Rights
But, warnings didn't deter spirit of voters

Despite threats, residents of Bastar arrived at polling booths. Voting began at 7 AM and will end at 3 PM, due to security reasons. According to an election official, 23% of voters exercised their rights by 11 AM. The official added long queues of voters were seen at all booths, including booth no. 220 which falls in Shyamgiri village, where the BJP MLA died.

Information
Naxals attacked security personnel but their attempt was thwarted

Reportedly, 80,000 state and paramilitary personnel have been deployed to ensure peaceful voting. Earlier in the day, Naxals triggered an IED blast in Farasgaon area. The incident took place around 4:15 AM when officers were escorting polling staff to booths. Fortunately, no one was injured.

Voters
Many former Naxals will cast their votes today

These elections are also special for Naxals who surrendered before authorities. Many of these former rebels will cast votes for the first time. A former Naxal named Sundari told ANI that it felt good to be associated with this democratic exercise. Lauding their participation, district magistrate Topeshwar Verma said, "It is good that they are voting to be part of democracy."

Information
Fun fact: BJP has never lost from Bastar since 1998

The Bastar seat is reserved for STs. This time a total of seven candidates are testing their luck. However, the seat is all set to witness a direct battle between Congress' Deepak Baij and BJP's Baiduram Kashyap. Notably, BJP hasn't lost from Bastar since 1998.

Share this timeline
Facebook
Whatsapp
Twitter
Linkedin
Shalini Ojha
Shalini Ojha
Twitter
A mathematics graduate, I handle the national desk. Always looking for items to read, I started off as an entertainment beat writer and made the switch three years into my career. My talents include breaking news and being on top of trending topics.
Latest
Lok Sabha
ANI
Congress MLAs
Election Commission of India (ECI)
Chattisgarh
Latest
My faith in justice is shaken: Bilkis Bano breaks silence
My faith in justice is shaken: Bilkis Bano breaks silence India
Cincinnati Masters: Borna Coric stuns 2013 champion Rafael Nadal
Cincinnati Masters: Borna Coric stuns 2013 champion Rafael Nadal Sports
Earth's water may have come from asteroids, claims Japanese probe
Earth's water may have come from asteroids, claims Japanese probe Technology
Register FIR against Shahnawaz Hussain in rape case: Delhi HC
Register FIR against Shahnawaz Hussain in rape case: Delhi HC India
Indian, Chinese soldiers coming together for military drill in Russia
Indian, Chinese soldiers coming together for military drill in Russia World
Lok Sabha
#NewsBytesExplainer: Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2022, its issues and benefits
#NewsBytesExplainer: Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2022, its issues and benefits India
From not eating onions to UPA barbs, Sitharaman's controversial comments
From not eating onions to UPA barbs, Sitharaman's controversial comments Politics
Suspension of 4 Congress MPs revoked; price rise debate begins
Suspension of 4 Congress MPs revoked; price rise debate begins Politics
Ruckus in Lok Sabha over addressing President Murmu as 'Rashtrapatni'
Ruckus in Lok Sabha over addressing President Murmu as 'Rashtrapatni' Politics
Parliament monsoon session: 19 opposition Rajya Sabha MPs suspended
Parliament monsoon session: 19 opposition Rajya Sabha MPs suspended Politics
More News
ANI
R-Day rally: 20 farmer leaders served notices by Delhi Police
R-Day rally: 20 farmer leaders served notices by Delhi Police India
BKU (Bhanu), Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan withdraw from farmers' protest
BKU (Bhanu), Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan withdraw from farmers' protest India
Tamannaah Bhatia, Virat Kohli issued notices for promoting online rummy
Tamannaah Bhatia, Virat Kohli issued notices for promoting online rummy Entertainment
Ganguly re-admitted to hospital after he complains of chest pain
Ganguly re-admitted to hospital after he complains of chest pain Sports
Galwan hero could be posthumously awarded Mahavir Chakra on R-Day
Galwan hero could be posthumously awarded Mahavir Chakra on R-Day India
More News
Congress MLAs
Monsoon session from Monday: Government plans to introduce 24 new Bills
Monsoon session from Monday: Government plans to introduce 24 new Bills India
Congress's G-23 leaders to meet Sonia Gandhi: Details here
Congress's G-23 leaders to meet Sonia Gandhi: Details here Politics
'Want electricity? Swear you voted for BJP,' MLA tells villager
'Want electricity? Swear you voted for BJP,' MLA tells villager India
Dharamshala BJP MLA accused of mental, physical torture by wife
Dharamshala BJP MLA accused of mental, physical torture by wife Politics
10 women en route Goa for vacation killed in accident
10 women en route Goa for vacation killed in accident India
More News
Election Commission of India (ECI)
Economy losing serious money: Supreme Court slams freebies
Economy losing serious money: Supreme Court slams freebies India
Voter enrolment: 17-year-olds can register in advance, says Election Commission
Voter enrolment: 17-year-olds can register in advance, says Election Commission India
'Use own parents' photos for votes': Uddhav Thackeray slams Shinde
'Use own parents' photos for votes': Uddhav Thackeray slams Shinde Politics
Uddhav Thackeray challenges EC in SC over 'real Shiv Sena'
Uddhav Thackeray challenges EC in SC over 'real Shiv Sena' Politics
SC to hear plea challenging Aadhaar & Voter ID linking
SC to hear plea challenging Aadhaar & Voter ID linking India
More News
Chattisgarh
Chhattisgarh: 11-year-old rescued from borewell in 104-hour 'longest ever' operation
Chhattisgarh: 11-year-old rescued from borewell in 104-hour 'longest ever' operation India
Chhattisgarh Budget: CM Baghel carries briefcase made of cow dung
Chhattisgarh Budget: CM Baghel carries briefcase made of cow dung India
'Bachpan Ka Pyaar' fame Sahdev Dirdo 'better now,' says Badshah
'Bachpan Ka Pyaar' fame Sahdev Dirdo 'better now,' says Badshah Entertainment
Chhattisgarh: Four children killed in lightning strike in Jashpur district
Chhattisgarh: Four children killed in lightning strike in Jashpur district India
I didn't lose hope, says CRPF commando abducted by Naxals
I didn't lose hope, says CRPF commando abducted by Naxals India
More News
Next News Article
Next News Article

Love Politics news?

Subscribe to stay updated.

Politics Thumbnail
India News Business News World News Politics News Sports News Technology News Entertainment News Auto News Lifestyle News Inspirational News
Career News Bengaluru News Delhi News Mumbai News Mukesh Ambani Indian Premier League (IPL) Karnataka Samsung Xiaomi West Bengal
Bihar Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma Haryana Narendra Modi Arvind Kejriwal Tamil Nadu Gujarat Yogi Adityanath YouTube
Instagram Hollywood News Uttar Pradesh Kerala Netflix Bollywood News Mamata Banerjee Maruti Suzuki Rahul Gandhi Elon Musk
Shah Rukh Khan Chelsea FC OPPO Akhilesh Yadav Indian Cricket Team Apple Manchester United Salman Khan Cryptocurrency OnePlus
Amitabh Bachchan ICC Women's World Cup Vivo India vs Sri Lanka
About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive IPL 2022 Schedule IPL 2022 Points Table Find Cricket Statistics
Follow us on
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Youtube
All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2022