Elected representatives have been promising to set up cooperatives to procure tomato to ensure that farmers get a fair price. The Horticulture Department had even purchased the equipment necessary for setting up a project for tomato processing but it could not take off because of the ‘non-availability’ of suitable land for the project.

Still, both the BJP and Congress candidates are seeking votes for the “development” of this backward constituency, with about 1.75 lakh voters. Sai claims he was instrumental in persuading his party’s government to launch seven irrigation projects in the area, including the Kamkada and Seranala irrigation schemes. “Corruption is the main issue. Everyone knows it as it has become decentralised during the BJP regime”, counters Congress’s Rampukar Singh.

Candidates of the Chhattisgarh Vikas Party, CPI, JMM and Gondwana Gantantra Party are also testing their poll fortunes. They point out that this mineral rich Jashpur district — with deposits of bauxite, gold and even diamond at a few places — does not have major industries and employment opportunities.