News Analysis India

Tag: Bhupesh Baghel

  • Significant drop in naxal activities in Bastar: Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel

    By PTI

    RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Friday claimed that naxal incidents have significantly declined in the Bastar region of the state.

    His government was ready to hold talks with the rebels if they expressed faith in the Constitution, he said, speaking to reporters here.

    Asked about reports that Kondagaon district in the Bastar division had been removed from the list of districts affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE), Baghel said naxal-related incidents have been “declining consistently”.

    Earlier, only news reports of naxal attacks dominated the electronic and print media, he said.

    “Through our public welfare schemes, we have succeeded in winning the confidence of people there, which has resulted in pushing the naxals on the backfoot,” the chief minister said.

    “It is a matter of happiness and satisfaction and we don’t want such incidents to take place any more. We want peace and normalcy to return to Bastar. The region will reclaim its earlier identity of peace, brotherhood and tribal brothers and sisters living peacefully with nature. We have been making efforts in this direction,” he said.

    Asked if the state government will take steps to hold talks with the naxals, Baghel said, “I have been saying from the very first day (of his government) that if naxals expressed faith in the Constitution of India, we are ready for talks on any platform”

  • Budget session of Chhattisgarh Assembly from March 7; BJP to target Congress govt on law & order issues

    By PTI

    RAIPUR: The budget session of the Chhattisgarh Assembly will begin from Monday and the state’s budget for 2022-23 will be tabled in the House on March 9, an official said on Sunday.

    The opposition BJP has decided to corner the ruling Congress over several issues, including the ‘deteriorating’ law and order situation in the state.

    On Monday, the session will commence with Governor Anusuiya Uikey’s address, followed by tabling of the motion of thanks on her address, the Assembly official said.

    The debate on the motion of thanks to the governor’s address is proposed for March 8, he said.

    Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, who holds charge of the state finance department, will present the state budget on March 9, he said.

    Till Saturday, 1,682 questions were received from the legislators, including 854 starred questions and 828 un-starred ones.

    Besides, 114 notices were received for the calling attention motion and 10 for the adjournment motion, the official said.

    There will be 13 sittings during the session, which will conclude on March 25.

    Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Dharamlal Kaushik said the BJP was fully prepared to corner the state government during the session on several issues, particularly the “deteriorating” law and order situation.

    Expressing unhappiness over the ‘curtailed’ duration of the budget session, Kaushik claimed that for the first time such a short budget session is being held in the history of Chhattisgarh, which is a violation of the parliamentary tradition.

    “The session has been called only for 13 days. It should have been lengthier as there are a lot of issues that need to be raised in the House. The ruling Congress is trying to escape from the discussion,” he claimed.

    “We will try to raise all issues of public importance in such a short period. We will target the government over the rising crimes, including incidents of rape and loot. We will also raise the issue of the increasing illegal sale of narcotics and liquor in the state,” the BJP leader said.

    A delegation of BJP MLAs had met Assembly Speaker Charan Das Mahant on Saturday and requested him that the session should not be concluded ahead of its schedule, a leader from the saffron party said.

  • Chhattisgarh govt to bear travel expenses of people of state returning from Ukraine: CM

    As per officials, over 100 people, including 70 students, from Chhattisgarh are stranded in Ukraine currently.

  • UP polls: Unfazed by FIR, Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel continues reaching out to public

    By PTI

    NOIDA: Unfazed by an FIR against him, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Monday continued reaching out to the public and held door-to-door campaigns in Dadri and Jewar areas of Gautam Buddh Nagar for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls in favour of Congress candidates.

    Baghel, the Congress’ observer for the polls in UP, held door-to-door campaigns for candidate Deepak Bhati ‘Chotiwala’ in Dadri and Manoj Chaudhary from Jewar, a day after an FIR was lodged against him for flouting COVID-19 norms during a poll campaign in Noida.

    “CM Baghel went on a door-to-door campaign in Bisrakh and Dujana villages of Dadri and informed them about public welfare schemes implemented in Chhattisgarh. He exhorted people to rise above the politics of caste and religion and vote the Congress into power in UP for progress and development,” a Congress statement read.

    With Baghel seeking support for him, Deepak Bhati, who is pitted against BJP’s sitting Dadri MLA Tejpal Nagar, exuded confidence of the Congress winning the seat this time.

    The Chhattisgarh chief minister later visited the Jewar Assembly constituency, where he held indoor meetings with local residents in Devta and Kishorepur villages.

    According to the Congress, among those Baghel met were villagers affected by the Noida International Airport, a mega greenfield project for which land has been acquired by the UP government from people in Jewar area.

    In Jewar, Congress’ Manoj Chaudhary has been fielded to take on BJP’s popular MLA Dhirendra Singh.

    Singh had quit the Congress to join the BJP ahead of the 2017 Assembly polls in UP.

    Dadri has 5.86 lakh voters while Jewar has 3.46 lakh voters.

    Elections to these seats will be held on February 10 and results will be announced on March 10.

  • In UP for poll campaign, Chhattisgarh CM Baghel booked for flouting COVID norms

    By PTI

    NOIDA: The Uttar Pradesh police lodged an FIR against Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday for allegedly flouting COVID-19 norms while campaigning for a Congress candidate in Noida for the assembly polls, officials said.

    Baghel, along with some supporters, was in Noida for a door-to-door campaign in support of Congress’ Pankhuri Pathak when the alleged violations took place.

    The case, lodged under the Epidemic Diseases Act, names ‘others’ also as accused besides the senior Congress leader from Chhattisgarh, even as Pathak said the development was indicative of “fear” due to the “growing support base” of her party.

    “The FIR was lodged against Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel and others for violating COVID-19 rules as set by the Election Commission when they were in the Sector 113 police station area today (Sunday),” a police spokesperson said.

    Indian Penal Code sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 269 (unlawfully or negligently spreading infection of any disease dangerous to life) and 270 (malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) have also been invoked in the case, the official added.

    Pathak, the Congress’ Noida candidate, also alleged police failure in controlling crowd during a “popular CM’s” visit and said they are not afraid of the FIR.

    “The fear of the growing support base of the Congress has started reflecting. I and three other people were with the Chhattisgarh CM. Now when a popular chief minister comes, people come to meet him. It is the failure of the police that the crowd was allowed to gather there. The Congress is strongly contesting the elections in Noida. We are not afraid of FIR,” she said.

    Earlier in the day, Baghel reached Uttar Pradesh on an “unofficial” tour to campaign for Pathak, who will be taking on the sitting Noida MLA and BJP heavyweight Pankaj Singh in the February 10 polls.

    “Pathak is fighting the election on issues of inflation, unemployment and for the issues of the youth, women and farmers,” he told reporters.

    Baghel said the Congress will have election results that will shock the rivals and his party’s manifesto would be implemented in UP the way it is being done in Chhattisgarh.

    The opposition BJP in Chhattisgarh hit back claiming the Congress must understand that the rule of law existed in UP.

    The UP police on Sunday lodged an FIR against Baghel for allegedly violating COVID-19 norms while campaigning for a party candidate in Noida for the Assembly polls.

    Baghel is the Congress’ senior observer for the polls in UP.

    “The BJP is afraid of the good response Baghel’s election campaign is getting in UP. The FIR reflects Yogi Adityanath’s frustration. Baghel followed norms during the door-to-door campaign and only five people accompanied him as per EC guidelines,” Sushil Anand Shukla, head of the state Congress communication wing said.

    “The BJP wants to go to any extent to stop Baghel from campaigning there. The leaders of other parties have now understood the Congress is in a decisive position in UP this time. The BJP, which is left with no option, is using all undemocratic means to halt Baghel’s election campaign,” he said.

    Hitting back, state BJP spokesperson Anurag Singhdeo said, “The Congress leaders should understand properly there is rule of law in UP and no one can be bigger than the law.

    Congressmen openly violating rules and COVID-19 guidelines in Chhattisgarh should inculcate the habit of respecting the law.

  • INTERVIEW | Farming has become profitable profession: Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel

    By Express News Service

    From the Gauthan scheme to allegations of soft Hindutva, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel spoke on a wide range of issues with The New Indian Express group editorial director Prabhu Chawla during the Kisan Summit and awards function held in Raipur

    You understood the vote-catching capacity of cows that the BJP failed to understand. Cows can also fetch votes… Earlier, farmers used to sustain a strong economic system with the cattle they had, carry out business in fairs, which no longer exists. Agriculture equipment almost ended the utility of cattle. Livestock owners and villagers are compelled to let cattle out in the open. After extensive thoughts and deliberations, we decided to have Gauthan (cattle shed)  and purchase cow dung. It persuaded cattle owners to keep cows with them or at Gauthan. This prevented cattle from damaging crop and moving out on roads.

    But you astutely linked it to economics via politics… The Gauthan scheme has proved to be advantageous after we linked it to the economics. It is the revival of rural economy and there is no underlying politics in it. It is their (BJP) working style which is linked to ‘divide and rule’ and emotionally exploit the masses. The party has sought votes either on the name of Lord Ram or cows.

    Your personality is linked to farm, village and forests. Tell us more about it.I have been associated with agriculture and engaged in it since my school days. It was already there in our family. I lived the life of a villager, eagerly involved in every local and religious festivals. My sentiments are deeply rooted to rural life. We used to wake up during the wee hours during the cultivation season.

    Did you ever plough the field?Yes. At younger age, I was well accustomed with the agriculture exercises and essential requisites that farmers know about their crops. I can even milk cows, take buffaloes to village ponds and even knew to use injection on the cattle.

    Today, the younger generation is not willing to take up the farming as a profession. I don’t agree. This belief was earlier prevailing but during the last three years, the substantial increase in the net sown area under cultivation and the growing strength of farmers suggests ‘farming is equally seen as the profitable profession’. For instance, in 2018, there were 15 lakh farmers who registered for paddy  procurement and today the figure has reached over 22 lakh.  

    You actively promote local Chhattisgarh sportsThe old traditions need to be improved. Various local products with value addition are being sent outside the state. All these are reviving the traditions and increasing the scope of trading activities in rural areas. We are trying to preserve our own culture including traditional food, sports, thoughts, lifestyle and live with them. 

    Isn’t your Ram van gaman path suggesting a competition (with BJP) on the name of Ram?We are not in any competition. In Chhattisgarh, Ram is deeply embedded in our age-old culture. The birthplace of Kaushalya, the mother of Lord Ram, is at Chandkhuri, not far from Raipur. Ram-Ram tradition exists in our custom. 

    But aren’t you pursuing a soft Hindutva approach? Hindutva was coined by Savarkar and that concept was based on aggression, violence and hatred. It was rejected while he was alive. Who actually is a Hindu — the person who shows compassion, believes in amity, love, tolerance and social harmony. Savarkar’s concept of Hindutva will not work. 

  • No Opposition alliance sans Congress possible at national level: Baghel hits back at Mamata

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Days after Mamata Banerjee’s “no UPA” jibe, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday attacked the TMC chief, saying she must clarify whether she wants to make TMC the main Opposition party by fighting those in power or by taking on fellow Opposition parties.

    He also said no Opposition alliance is possible at the national level without the Congress which has to be the main pillar of the bloc taking on the BJP.

    In an interview with PTI, Baghel said a decision on who would be the face of the Opposition that would take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 2024 general election would be taken collectively by the constituents of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) that is headed by Sonia Gandhi.

    His remarks come days after West Bengal Chief Minister Banerjee took swipes at the Congress leadership and said there is “no UPA”, after meeting NCP supremo Sharad Pawar in Mumbai.

    On Banerjee’s remarks, Baghel said, “I would like to say to Mamata Banerjee that you want to become the main opposition party, it is a very good thing. If you want to move forward with a plan, harbouring a dream, it will be welcomed, but the question is whether you want to become the main Opposition party by fighting those in power or by taking on fellow Opposition parties.”

    Asked if he believes that there is collusion between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP, Baghel said Banerjee should clarify as after meeting Pawar, she said “there is no UPA” but following her meeting with Prime Minister Modi, nothing came out as to what transpired and she later attacked the Congress.

    “Why has it not come out in the open as to what she discussed with the PM,” he asked.

    On the TMC entering the poll fray suddenly in some poll-bound states such as Goa, Baghel said it seems that they want to help the BJP in those states.

    “They don’t have anything in Goa but want to fight. So they want to divide the opposition vote,” he alleged.

    Baghel also hit out at poll strategist Prashant Kishor for his remarks that the space represented by the Congress was vital but its leadership is not the “divine right of an individual”, an apparent swipe at Rahul Gandhi.

    “Prashant Kishor works for money, be it for the BJP, Congress, TMC or JD(U), for poll campaigns. He is a professional person, so he should say who he is working for now,” Baghel said.

    The Chhattisgarh CM said Kishor is not associated with any political party that he will make comments like the ones he did, so he should clarify whether he is working for the BJP or for Mamata Banerjee.

    “(Narendra) Modi ji, (Amit) Shah ji, talked about Congress-mukt Bharat, they could not do it. Now, has that job been taken over by Prashant Kishor,” he asked.

    On whether any alliance sans Congress is possible at the national level to take on the BJP, Baghel said as of today it does not seem possible.

    On whether the Congress would be the main pillar of the Opposition alliance at the national level, the Chattisgarh CM said, “Congress will be (the main pillar), it is a straightforward thing.”

    “It is the Congress that has a presence from Kashmir to Kerala. Other Opposition parties don’t have that kind of presence,” he said.

    Asked if Rahul Gandhi should be the face of the Opposition bloc to take on PM Modi in 2024, Baghel said he is “too small a person” to decide on such matters and is not authorised by the party to comment on all such issues.

    However, he said, “Several parties comprise the UPA whose chairperson is Sonia Gandhi, and all parties will decide on the issue together.”

    Baghel added that in the whole country, there is only one leader that is taking on the central government and BJP, and that is Rahul Gandhi.

    He said the BJP is “rattled” by Rahul Gandhi so it is possible that they “may be targeting him through these people (TMC, Kishor and other critics)”.

    The TMC and the Congress have been growing distant of late, with the Mamata Banerjee-led party poaching the latter’s leaders in several states in the recent past.

    The two parties have further distanced themselves with the TMC not attending the opposition meetings convened by the Congress over opposition unity in Parliament.

    Baghel, who is the Congress’ senior observer for Uttar Pradesh polls, also said UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is on his way out as “everyone is angry with him and he has no achievements”.

    On whether the Congress will be the main challenger to the BSP in Uttar Pradesh, Baghel slammed both the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party to claim that the Congress would do well.

    “BSP is nowhere. Mayawati ji has not come out. Akhilesh ji has come out now near the polls and was nowhere to be seen in the last four-and-a-half years. Congress is gaining. We are aiming to perform well and get a good result,” he asserted.

  • Centre should learn from its mistakes in previous COVID-19 waves, impose travel curbs: Baghel

    '3 major public meetings of Priyanka ji were held recently in UP. There is enthusiasm among people and they want change.'

  • Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel cautions Centre, links gunny bags shortage with law and order issue

    Express News Service

    RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel stated that if the Centre didn’t act to facilitate the requisite gunny bags ahead of the initiation of procurement of the paddy, the law and order situation can arise in the state.

    Baghel has written a letter to the PM Narendra Modi urging him to ensure the timely supply of jute gunny bags in accordance with the plan issued by the Ministry of Food and Public Distribution on November 12 this year.

    “Chhattisgarh got the permission to purchase 2.14 lakh bales of new jute bags through Jute Commissioner Kolkata, though the state needs 5.25 lakh bales for its paddy procurement, which is scheduled to start from December 1. But the state has so far received only 86856 bales of gunny bags,” the chief minister stated.

    He alleged that despite the best efforts by the state there is no satisfactory progress in the process of supply of gunny bags by the Jute Commissioner. “If 100 percent gunny bags are not supplied well on time then a law and order situation may result during the paddy procurement period,” the CM communicated to the Prime Minister.

    However, the opposition BJP has strongly reacted to the contents of the letter written by the CM. The CM is playing politics by misleading the people that the Centre is not able to ensure the requirement of jute gunny bags for the state.

    “In the state Assembly last year, the concerned state minister had informed that the responsibility of arranging the gunny bags for farmers lies with the state government. And now failed to timely act to acquire the required quantity from the Jute Commissioner. The state government is shirking its responsibility. If owing to the poor preparedness of the state the law and order situation erupts, then it’s the failure of the government,” retorted Dharamlal Kaushik, the leader of opposition.

    In the Kharif marketing year 2021-22, 105 lakh tonnes of paddy is expected to be procured from farmers in the state on the minimum support price.

  • Ensure supply of gunny bags for paddy purchase: Chhattisgarh CM to PM; fears law and order situation

    By PTI

    RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Tuesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to ensure a timely supply of new jute gunny bags to the state for paddy purchase, saying their unavailability could create a law and order situation during the procurement drive beginning December 1.

    In his letter addressed to the prime minister, Baghel said Chhattisgarh requires 5.25 lakh bundles of gunny bags for paddy procurement but has received permission to purchase only 2.14 lakh bundles of new gunny bags, a public relations department official said.

    “The paddy procurement drive under the minimum support price (MSP) declared by the Centre for the Kharif Marketing Year 2021-22 is scheduled to start from December 1 in the state and necessary preparations are being made. Around 105 lakh metric tonnes of paddy is expected to be procured from farmers in the state for which 5.25 lakh bundles of gunny bags are required,” the CM stated.

    However, according to a letter issued by the Union Ministry of Food and Public Distribution on November 12, Chhattisgarh has got permission to purchase only 2.14 lakh bundles of new gunny bags through Jute Commissioner Kolkata, the letter said.

    Indents have been issued by the Chhattisgarh State Cooperative Society Marketing Federation for the purchase but the state has so far received only 86,856 bundles of the gunny bags, which is much less than the sanctioned quantity, Baghel wrote.

    Stating that satisfactory progress is not seen despite Chhattisgarh’s continuous efforts to receive the full quantity of gunny bags, Baghel wrote, “if the gunny bags are not supplied in time, it may lead to law and order situation during the procurement drive period”.

    He urged the PM to direct the Union Food department and Jute Commissioner to ensure a timely supply of gunny bags.