By Mohuya chaudhuri
Just before the assembly polls in Chhattisgarh, there are more security personnel than candidates campaigning in Bastar. The mood is low key and listless in this election.
Except for district headquarters like Jagdalpur, it is hard to say that voting will take place in few days.
Maoists have called for a boycott of the elections. The fear is so great that no one travels beyond 10 kilometres from urban centres. Posters cannot be put up or pamphlets distributed. Two BJP leaders who didn't listen ended up brutally murdered.
Even the man who set up Salwa Judum to fight Naxals says it isn't worth taking the risk.
"No one is going into the interiors. I am on their hit list so I don't want to take any chances. Why go to sensitive areas?" said Mahendra Karma, Congress candidate.
The fight is no longer between the Congress and the ruling BJP. The CPI offers a strong challenge as well.
But the surprise element this time is the dreaded Salwa Judum, a civilian peace movement that is tarnished by its own brand of violence. Though launched by Congress leader Karma, Judum supporters have defied him and are contesting from six out of 12 seats.
The camps, which are their captive voter base are sprinkled all over south Bastar.
For three years now, Salwa Judum has controlled the lives of tribal people in these camps and in villages as well. Though the movement has suffered several setbacks, Salwa Judum leaders still exert a significant amount of influence on people. But will the elections change its fate?
It may not be that easy since the camp population has dwindled from 50,000 to around 13,000 and even those who still remain have turned away from the Judum.
On being asked whether they will vote for Salwa Judum, a special protection officer said, "We will vote for those who will give us benefits afterwards and take care of us."
Even so, the Judum may play spoilsport and split votes, whoever wins the spectre of Salwa Judum will remain.
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