Rice, an important poll issue in Chhattisgarh

POLL PROMISE: BJP knows that in order to fight anti-incumbency it must come up with populist schemes.

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Simga (Chattisgargh): As Chhattisgarh gets ready to vote in the first phase of Assembly elections on Friday, rice is [roving to be big factor.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has already announced that if it is voted back to power, the party will implement the Rs 3 a kg rice for those below the poverty line and this promise might just tilt the scale in its favour.

In an election scarred by price rise, dole has become a direct vote-catcher and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh has become the Santa Claus.

Exactly a year ago, Singh understood that he would have to play the rice card.

He offered rice at Rs 3 per kg to the poor and it's this price of rice which may propel BJP towards power in Chhattisgarh.

"Chhattisgarh is the rice bowl and our schemes will make an impact. Whether it is our rice procurement policy or our scheme of giving rice at Rs 3 per kg it has had an impact and it will help us in the elections," says Singh.

But in Chhattisgarh, it is auction time and the lowest bidder is likely to win.

So, Congress made a counter offer of rice at Rs 2 a kg. It couldn't have hoped to draw votes only on an anti-incumbency drive.

The BJP surprised the Congress yet again by coming up with a fresh deal. Its election manifesto pledges rice at Re One a kg. The common man however, is weighing his options.

"Well the BJP has given rice at Rs 3 per kilo. Let's see what they do in the future. As far as the Congress is concerned they are still to be tested. Let's see what they do," a voter Rati Ram says.

Chhattisgarh is one of the largest producers of rice in the country and the politics of the state has almost always revolved around rice.

Both the Congress and the BJP are competing as in who will give rice at a lower price.

This time around the BJP, however, is in a slightly advantageous position as it has already delivered on providing rice at Rs 3 per kg in the state.