Ahead of the Chhattisgarh assembly elections, a small village called Anjora is gaining attention as candidates from two different constituencies visit the place to seek votes. Anjora is located on the border between the Durg and Rajnandgaon districts, with one half falling under Durg Rural constituency and the other half under Rajnandgaon constituency.
The village is divided by streets, with houses on one side belonging to Rajnandgaon and those on the other side belonging to Durg Rural. Additionally, Anjora is governed by two panchayats – Anjora village panchayat in Rajnandgaon and Anjora ‘kh (B)’ village panchayat in Durg.
This unique situation has led to candidates from both constituencies visiting Anjora for campaigning. Posters and banners of candidates can be seen throughout the village, regardless of the constituency they are contesting from. Anju Sahu, the sarpanch of Anjora panchayat, jokingly mentioned that it is said the village elects two MLAs.
Despite the division, the people of Anjora have coexisted peacefully and celebrate festivals and other functions together. Anju Sahu, who is also a Congress leader, shared that her paternal home falls under Durg Rural constituency, while her in-laws vote for Rajnandgaon constituency.
While Rajnandgaon is among the 20 seats that will go to polls in the first phase on November 7, the remaining 70 constituencies, including Durg Rural, will vote in the second phase on November 17.
The village’s division into two panchayats and the delimitation of assembly seats were done when Rajnandgaon district was formed in 1973. Families in Anjora also have members who vote for different constituencies.
Rajnandgaon and Durg Rural are both prominent constituencies with high-profile candidates. Former chief minister Raman Singh is contesting from Rajnandgaon for the BJP, while the Congress has nominated Girish Dewangan, the current chairman of Chhattisgarh State Mineral Development Corporation. In Durg Rural, the Congress has fielded minister Tamradhwaj Sahu, an influential leader, and the BJP has put forward Lalit Chandrakar as their candidate.
As the election day approaches, Anjora continues to be a fascinating example of a village divided by political boundaries, yet united in its peaceful coexistence.
