The Congress party has released its first list of 30 candidates for the Chhattisgarh Assembly elections, retaining all ministers while dropping eight sitting MLAs. The roster includes several first‑time contenders and a return of CPCC chief Deepak Baij to state politics.

Key Takeaways

  • All ten ministers will contest from the seats they won in 2018
  • Eight sitting MLAs have been omitted, most are first‑timers
  • CPCC president Deepak Baij is back in the state fray at Chitrakot

First List Unveiled

The ruling Congress announced on October 15 a slate of 30 candidates for the Chhattisgarh Assembly polls. All ten ministers—including Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Deputy Chief Minister T.S. Singh Deo, and Assembly Speaker Charan Das Mahant—have been retained to contest from the constituencies they captured in 2018.

Key Leaders Re‑fielded

Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee (CPCC) president Deepak Baij, now a Lok Sabha MP from Bastar, will contest the Chitrakot Assembly seat, a constituency he vacated after winning the parliamentary seat in 2019. Former CPCC chief Mohan Markam also keeps his Kondagaon seat in the tribal belt.

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Why Ministers Were Kept

Party insiders say retaining every cabinet minister—despite adverse reports on a few—is a move to imprint the list with Chief Minister Baghel’s authority and prevent any major rebellion. Only one minister, Guru Rudra Kumar, will see his constituency changed.

Eight Sitting MLAs Dropped

The eight omitted MLAs were largely first‑time legislators whose winnability scores fell short in multiple internal surveys. Some seasoned incumbents, such as former IAS officer Shishupal Shori who won Kanker by 14.7% in 2018, lost their tickets to former MLA Shankar Dhruv due to perceived performance gaps.

First‑Time Candidates

In Dantewada, widow Devati Karma is replaced by her son Chavindra Mahendra Karma**. Close associate of Baghel, Girish Dewangan, will contest Rajnandgaon for the first time, despite a four‑decade affiliation with the party and a recent ED probe into the coal levy scam.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the blend of seasoned ministers and fresh faces signals Congress’s dual strategy of stability and renewal, aiming to solidify its core base while attracting new voters ahead of the November‑December polls.

"The Congress list balances continuity with fresh energy, a formula that could prove decisive in Chhattisgarh’s tightly contested election."
Did You Know?: In the 2018 assembly election, Congress swept 68 out of 90 seats, marking a historic victory in the state.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Question: When are the Chhattisgarh Assembly elections scheduled?
    Answer: The first phase begins on November 7, with the final phase concluding on December 3, 2026.
  • Question: How many women candidates are on the Congress list?
    Answer: The list features four women candidates across various constituencies.