Chhattisgarh's Durg district takes centre stage ahead of Lok Sabha polls
Chhattisgarh's Durg district, a bustling metropolis which played a key role in the state's economic and educational growth, has turned into a political hotspot ever since the declaration of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Four candidates of the opposition Congress, including former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, and two of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the Lok Sabha elections hail from Durg district, bringing it to the centre stage ahead of the polls.
Durg district was founded in 1906 after being carved out from Raipur.
In 1973, the district was divided and a separate Rajnandgaon district came into existence.
Durg was bifurcated again in 2012 and two new districts — Bemetara and Balod — came into existence.
With the establishment of the Bhilai Steel Plant, a flagship unit of the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), in 1955 in Durg district, it has grown rapidly and become a hub of economic activity, attracting people from all over the country.
After the formation of Chhattisgarh in 2000, Bhilai city developed as an educational hub with the setting up of technical institutes and coaching centres for engineering and medical entrance exams.
With the announcement of candidates by the BJP and Congress for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the political significance of the district has become a point of discussion among experts in the state.
Congress's candidate Bhupesh Baghel from Rajnandgaon Lok Sabha seat, Devendra Yadav from Bilaspur seat, Tamradhwaj Sahu from Mahasamund seat and
