Chhattisgarh Elections

C’garh Elections: ‘Abki baar 75 paar’, Says Tamradhwaj

After the Congress party released the first list of candidates for the Chhattisgarh Assembly Elections, State’s Minister Tamradhwaj Sahu said that Congress is aiming to win more than 75 seats in the upcoming polls.

Sahu said, “Our Government and party are working towards that direction. We are 71 now, and all our work is focussed on ‘Abki baar 75 paar’.

On the names of several MLAs being dropped from Congress’ first list of candidates for Chhattisgarh elections, he said, “Committee makes these decisions. Our CEC, Screen Committee and State Election Committee cancels tickets based on the information available with them and new people are also made candidates. This is possible even for the time to come.”

State party President Deepak Baij on Sunday said that the party has asked me to contest from the Chitrakoot constituency stating that he will win the seat even if he

“Party has asked me to contest and I will file my nomination from the Chitrakoot constituency… People and party workers will work there… We have family relations with the people of Chitrakoot. I will win even if we do not go for any campaign over there,” Deepak Baij told ANI.

He further said that the list is released after contemplating every seat and BJP has given tickets to those who have already been rejected by the people.

“Whoever is made a candidate by Congress will win… The list is released after contemplating every seat… BJP has given tickets to those who have already been rejected by the people. Our CM can contest from any seat he wants, he will win. Even the central leadership cannot affect it. He would win historically. In the upcoming list also, we will prioritise women,” he said.

The Congress announced the first list of 30 candidates for Chhattisgarh assembly elections.

The first phase of polling for 20 seats in Chhattisgarh will be held on November 7, and the remaining 70 seats in Chhattisgarh will go to polls on November 17.

The ruling party in the state has fielded Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel from Patan and Deputy Chief Minister TS Singh Deo from Ambikapur.

Meanwhile, Congress has fielded Girish Devangan in Rajnandgaon, where he will contest BJP leader and former state chief minister Raman Singh.

Congress leader Taradhwaj Sahu will contest the polls from Durg (Rural), Ravindra Choubey from Nawagarh, Yashoda Verma from Khairagarh, Vikram Mandavi from Bijapur, Lakheshwar Baghel from Bastar, Deepak Baiji from Chitrakot and K Chavindra Karma Dantewada.

The counting of votes will take place on December 3 in all the states. Of the five states, polling in Chhattisgarh will be held in two phases. The Model Code of Conduct has come into force with the announcement of poll dates.

Earlier after the 2018 assembly polls, the Congress witnessed a landslide victory winning 68 seats out of 90 of those against the then ruling-BJP, which acquired 15 seats.

The BJP aims to wrest power from the Congress-ruled state which is expected to set the tone for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha polls. (ANI)

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13 Transgender Persons As Trainee Constables

‘Police Uniform Gives Me A Life Beyond ‘Badhai’ & Begging’

In an exemplary first, Chhattisgarh Police recently recruited 13 transgender persons as trainee constables. Krishi Tandi, 23, one of the recruits, tells her story to LokMarg

The growing-up period for a transgender child is never easy. But if you are born into a poor household of a small town, it can be traumatic. I too faced dilemmas, dejections, discrimination and derogatory remarks at a young age. It was difficult to reconcile to what I felt from inside and what was expected of me in the world out there.

It was only when I met other members of transgender community in Raipur (where I was born), the trauma became bearable. Yet, it pained me that the social mindset in our country leaves the members of transgender community with only two options for livelihood: Begging or Badhai (singing and dancing at wedding or childbirth). I even thought of ending my life at times. But then I met Vidya Ma’am (in 2017) and positivity breathed into my life.

Tandi, fellow recruits and Vidya Rajput (encircled) meet Chhattisgarh home minister Tamradhwaj Sahu

Vidya (Rajput) Ma’am is a community leader who helped other transgender persons fight back the stigma. She told me (and several others) that there was a provision where a transgender can apply for a column in Chhattisgarh Police constabulary. Ma’am herself was past the recruitment age but she wanted others to prepare and appear for the same. Here was an opportunity for me to live with dignity, I realized.

About 27 of us applied online for the posts in December 2017. There would be one physical strength exam and one written test. Both posed a big challenge. We had never seen a running track closely, let alone indulging into any kind of sports activity. How to train with proper sports equipment was another worry. Vidya Ma’am stepped in, once again. She arranged a trainer for us and we put in extra hours to cross the eligibility threshold. During the first few days we returned from the track with swollen limbs, muscle injuries and completely drained. But none of us called it quits.

The written exam carried its own set of hardships. Although I am Class 12 pass-out, the bullying in school had kept me from proper all-round learning. Again, Ma’am sought help from high-ranking police officials in the state and got us a police facility to study and prepare for the exam.

The recruits in in the office of Ajay Kumar Yadav, SP of Raipur Range

A few days before our physical test on April 5, 2018, I lost my father. But that only made me more determined. I cracked my physical tests and looked forward to clearing the written exam, scheduled a few months later. We took the exams but as luck would have it, the results kept getting delayed for one reason or the other. This was followed by one year of lockdown amid pandemic in 2020.

Well, we never thought it would be easy for us to don the uniform so none of us felt disappointed or demotivated. The Chhattisgarh Police finally decided to take fresh physical and written exams in January 2021. This called for fresh training, after one year of little physical activity. We trained hard. This time the physical exam was tougher, and had a few extra strength tests added. The exams were held on January 29 and results were announced on March 1. I cannot express my happiness when I saw my name on the list of the 13 who had cracked it.

I draw my strength from Vidya Ma’am who saw us through from the first post to the final. With a state uniform and badge, I will take this as an opportunity to contribute to our society in a positive manner. The (police) force has been kind in accepting our aspirations, so now it is our time to give back to the institution and society.

With Chandra Prakash Tiwari Police Line RI, Raipur

As told to Mamta Sharma