Bastar: The Bastar Lok Sabha constituency in Chhattisgarh, known for its significant Scheduled Tribe population, saw a voter turnout of 68.29% in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections held on April 19. The constituency, which covers parts of Keshkal, Kondagaon, Narayanpur, and Jagdalpur, witnessed a fierce contest among 11 candidates, reflecting the region’s diverse political landscape.
The candidates vying for the Bastar seat in 2024 included Aytu Ram Mandavi from the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Phulsingh Kachlam from the Communist Party of India (CPI), Narendra Burka from the Hamar Raj Party (HRP), Mahesh Kashyap from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Kanwal Singh Baghel from the Rashtriya Jansabha Party (RAJSP), and several independents. The Indian National Congress (INC) fielded Kawasi Lakhma, aiming to retain the seat won by Deepak Baij in the 2019 elections.
The Bastar constituency has shown a steady increase in voter turnout over the years, from 47% in 2009 to 66% in 2019. In the 2019 elections, Deepak Baij of the INC defeated Baidu Ram Kashyap of the BJP by a margin of 38,982 votes. The INC secured a 44.05% vote share, reflecting the constituency’s competitive political environment.
Historically, the Bastar seat has alternated between the BJP and INC. In 2014, Dinesh Kashyap of the BJP won the seat with a 50.11% vote share, defeating INC’s Deepak Karma. In 2009, Baliram Kashyap of the BJP emerged victorious with a 44.16% vote share, defeating Shankar Sodi of the INC.
The Bastar constituency has a significant Scheduled Tribe population, comprising 70% of its demographics, and a Scheduled Caste population of 3%. According to the 2011 Census, the literacy rate in the region is 49%. The constituency includes 14,59,977 registered voters for the 2024 elections, a notable increase from 13,79,122 in 2019.
As the votes are counted on June 4, the Bastar constituency remains a key battleground with its unique demographic composition and political significance. The outcome of the elections will be closely watched to see if the INC can hold onto its stronghold or if the BJP can reclaim the seat. The detailed seat-wise results of the 2024 elections, as well as historical data from past elections, can be explored using the interactive News18 Election Analytics Centre, providing comprehensive insights into the voting patterns and electoral dynamics of Bastar and other constituencies.
