Caste arithmetic to new faces, BJP draws strategy to wrest Chhattisgarh from Cong

Out of power for five years and striving to put together a formidable fight, the BJP is hoping that its strategy of balancing caste and regional aspirations, pitching newer faces, and pivoting the election campaign on issues such as joblessness and corruption will see the party form the government in Chhattisgarh in the elections to pick a new assembly later in the year.

- Smriti Kak Ramachandran

According to people aware of the details, while the campaign is being designed to "corner" the Congress government on a slew of issues, particularly corruption, it is the choice of candidates in key seats such as Vijay Baghel pitched against his uncle and incumbent chief minister Bhupesh Baghel -- that the party hopes will add bite to the electoral battle.

To be sure, while Vijay Baghel has been declared as the candidate from Patan, there is no confirmation that the CM will contest from the same seat, which he has won three times in the past -- except in 2008 when Vijay Baghel got the better of him.

"It will be a challenging electoral battle for the CM as he will have to fight against his nephew who has defeated him in the past. If he does not contest from Patan, or chooses to contest from two seats, then it will send a wrong signal to the voters.