Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh filed his nomination papers from Rajnandgaon Assembly constituency on Tuesday, 23 October, in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Singh, who is seeking a fourth consecutive term, was also accompanied by his wife, party in-charge for Chhattisgarh Anil Jain and several other leaders and party workers.

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According to reports, the 66-year-old Chief Minister touched the feet of the Uttar Pradesh CM who is not only 20 years his junior by age but also has less experience in politics.

Adityanath arrived in Chhattisgarh to canvass support for BJP candidates after cancelling the weekly meeting of the Uttar Pradesh cabinet. He has been extensively campaigning for the saffron camp in election campaigns ever since his elevation as Chief Minister in March 2017.

Singh has contested from Rajanandgaon constituency in the last two elections. Before that, he contested and won from Dongargaon assembly constituency in Rajnandgaon district in the 2004 elections.

Ahead of filing nominations, Singh told reporters, “I have full faith on the strength of party workers and booth-level workers. The BJP has dedicated this election to Atal ji and each party worker has vowed to form the government for the fourth consecutive term with a thumping majority in the state”.

Commenting on Karuna Shukla, niece of former prime minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee who has been pitted by Congress against Singh, the CM merely said that the Congress “did not get any local candidate”.

On the other hand, Shukla said that Singh has not done anything for the people in Rajnandgaon.

“Dr Raman Singh has served as CM Chhattisgarh for 15 yrs and as the MLA of Rajnandgaon from last 10 yrs but he didn’t do anything for the betterment of people there. So the Congress president sent me to fight for the people of Rajnandgaon,” Shukla was quoted as saying by ANI.

The last day of filing of nominations for the first phase of state assembly polls to be held on November 12 is 23 October. The second phase of the polls for the 90-member Chhattisgarh Assembly will be held on 20 November.

The votes will be counted on 11 December.