NEW DELHI: Located on the banks of the Hansdev and Ahiran rivers amidst lush green forests of Chhattisgarh, Korba is heading for a Didi vs. Bhabhi contest, as locals term it.
The BJP has fielded Saroj Pandey, who is respectfully called “Didi” by BJP workers, while Congress has fielded incumbent MP Jyotsna Mahant, who is popularly called “Bhabhi” among Congress workers as she is the wife of Congress leader Charandas Mahant. Korba serves as the industrial nucleus of the state. Renowned as the power capital of the state, it boasts self-sufficiency in essential resources like coal and water, vital for electricity generation. Housing four thermal power plants, including NTPC, KTPS, BALCO and BCPP, DSPM, CSEB East, and CSEB West, along with a hydroelectric power station in Machadoli (Bango), Korba stands as a pivotal contributor to the nation’s power grid. Moreover, the district hosts significant mines operated by the SECL under Coal India Limited and is home to Balco (Bharat Aluminium Company), the nation’s largest aluminium producer. Falling under the Bilaspur division, Korba predominantly accommodates the protected tribal community of Korwa (Pahadi Korwa).
Korba swung to Congress from BJP in the 2019 elections, where Jyotsna Mehant defeated her near-rival BJP candidate Jyoti Nand Dubey by a margin of 26,349 votes. The BJP this time is eyeing to regain its stronghold in Korba.
Traditionally, it is a tribal majority seat, while it has outside voters who are settled here and work in the industries. The BJP enjoys good support among these voters, other than tribal voters. However, Korba came into the spotlight after many trees in the Hasdeo forest, famous for elephants, were cut down for exploring coal mines in the area and faced a lot of criticism among the local tribal population.
Speaking with The Sunday Guardian, BJP Spokesperson Nellu Sharma said, “We will win Korba by a larger margin than that of Congress in 2019, as the incumbent Congress MP failed to live up to the expectations of the voters and she hardly visits the constituency.” He added that Saroj Pandey will use her experience in this election. She has a strong presence among the voters of the Korba. Further taking jibe at Congress, he said, Congress has lost its ground not only in Chhattisgarh but in the entire country. Sharma further added that PM Modi will come to power for a third term, marking a hat-trick.
Bhanu Pratap Singh, a resident of Korba constituency, asserted to The Sunday Guardian, “The BJP looks strong here, as it has given representation to the tribal community by appointing the first tribal CM of Chattisgarh, Vishnu Deo Sai. It has given edge to the BJP.” Also, since the urban population is already affectionate towards the BJP, it seems to be a favourite here in Korba. Singh added that it represents the BJP and Congress in every alternate election. So the BJP could swing here.