Dantewara: A triangular contest is being witnessed in the Naxalite-affected Dantewara Assembly seat of Chhattisgarh from where sitting Congress legislator and Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Mahendra Karma is seeking re-election for the third time.
Karma is facing tough fight from CPI candidate Manish Kunjam, while the presence of BJP nominee Bhairav Mandavi has made the contest triangular.
The fight on this seat appeared to be getting divided between anti-Naxalite Salwa Judum supporters and its opponents.
With six days to go for polls, poll campaign was relatively low-key as compared to other areas. There are hardly any publicity vehicles, party flags, banners or cutouts to lend colour to the campaign.
Aspirants are stressing upon people-to-people contact but are not able to muster courage to go to inner areas.
In the wake of the Election Commission taking cognizance of a photograph published in an English daily showing Karma allegedly bribing voters and registering of an FIR against him, the administration has become more alert.
The campaign, which was already lacklusture, has become more dull with election observers becoming more active.
Karma, who has been provided 'Z plus' security cover, as he is on the hit list of Naxals, has been undertaking campaign under the shadow of security officials.
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