Dantewada (PTI): It was Maoists versus Mahendra Karma, the Congress's
Leader of Opposition in Chhattisgarh, which led to the "unexpected"
and maiden lotus bloom in the 'red zone' of Dantewada constituency.
More than Congress MLA Karma's loss, it's the win of BJP's Bheema
Mandavi which surprises many as the CPI candidate Manish Kunjam's anti-
Salwa Judum campaign here had made him a favourite among the rural
masses. Kunjam had appeared a sure winner in case Karma fell from
grace.
Mandavi chances were considered bleak after two important leaders of
the saffron party were killed by Maoists in the same constituency just
a few days prior to the polls.
Despite the odds against him, Mandavi's victory margin was quite
impressive. He secured a total of 36,813 votes, which accounted for
38.06 per cent of the total 96,722 valid votes cast. Kunjam got 24,805
(25.65 per cent) and Karma received 24,250 (25.07 per cent votes) in
his favour.
The Maoists antipathy with Karma, the architect of the Salwa Judum
movement in the state, dates long back and the ultras from the very
beginning made it clear that they will leave no stone unturned to
ensure that Karma loses this election.
Karma, too, in his election meetings, had made it clear that his
contest is not with any political party but with the Maoists.
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