‘Third-party’ influencers vie for attention in a bi-polar landscape

Smaller parties and regional outfits in Chhattisgarh are hoping to influence the state’s election dynamics as the Congress and BJP compete for power. Parties such as the CPI, Aam Aadmi Party, HRP, BSP, JCC-J, and GGP are looking to cut into the bipolar electorate by winning seats or splitting votes. While some parties have had limited success in the past, there is a desire for a credible alternative to the Congress and BJP. However, the state has traditionally been dominated by the two major parties.