News Analysis India

Tag: Bhupesh Baghel

  • Chhattisgarh Congress MLAs leave for Delhi for show of strength purportedly in support of the CM

    Express News Service

    RAIPUR: Amid the intensified tussle within the Chhattisgarh Congress, a substantial number of the party MLAs including couple of ministers and some senior leaders left for Delhi on Thursday late evening in the purported attempt to show the head count in support of the Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel.

    In the recent months the party in Chhattisgarh has been witnessing differences simmering over the 2.5 years power-sharing formula between Baghel and the health minister T S Singhdeo.

    Baghel reached his half-way through tenure on June 17 this year.

    Both Baghel and Singhdeo camped in Delhi since Tuesday to hold discussions with the party high command and senior leaders. Singhdeo was dubbed as potential chief ministerial candidate amid rumours of “2.5 year formula” and change of CM in the state. The latter however put the speculations to rest on Thursday stating that the party has never spelled out any such power arrangement.

    To a query on whether the party legislators were summoned by the central leadership, the state Congress spokesperson told TNIE that no such directive has been given by the party high command.

    “They (MLAs) are going to Delhi on their own. We have not received any order from the Delhi leaders”, the spokesperson said.

    The party insiders informed that Congress MLAs flying to Delhi is likely to be seen as head count in support of the chief minister.

    “We are willing to put forth our views before the party high command”, a Congress MLA who left for Delhi said but refused to divulge details.

    After his return from Delhi on Wednesday, Baghel who was accorded a rousing reception at Raipur airport, has alleged that there are forces that wish to create political instability in the state by seeking rotation of the post of chief minister.

    On this, the former CM and BJP national vice-president Raman Singh asked Bhupesh to clarify about those demanding 2.5 year rotation of CM post. “It’s ridiculous that the Congress party despite having a huge majority in Chhattisgarh talks about political instability. Strange enough, the CM is facing threat from whom”, Singh stated.

  • Chhattisgarh Congress MLAs leave to Delhi for purported show of strength in support of CM Baghel

    Express News Service

    RAIPUR: Amid the intensified tussle within the Chhattisgarh Congress, a substantial number of the party MLAs including couple of ministers and some senior leaders left for Delhi on Thursday late evening in the purported attempt to show the head count in support of the Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel.

    In the recent months the party in Chhattisgarh has been witnessing differences simmering over the 2.5 years power-sharing formula between Baghel and the health minister T S Singhdeo.

    Baghel reached his half-way through tenure on June 17 this year.

    Both Baghel and Singhdeo camped in Delhi since Tuesday to hold discussions with the party high command and senior leaders. Singhdeo was dubbed as potential chief ministerial candidate amid rumours of “2.5 year formula” and change of CM in the state. The latter however put the speculations to rest on Thursday stating that the party has never spelled out any such power arrangement.

    To a query on whether the party legislators were summoned by the central leadership, the state Congress spokesperson told TNIE that no such directive has been given by the party high command.

    “They (MLAs) are going to Delhi on their own. We have not received any order from the Delhi leaders”, the spokesperson said.

    The party insiders informed that Congress MLAs flying to Delhi is likely to be seen as head count in support of the chief minister.

    “We are willing to put forth our views before the party high command”, a Congress MLA who left for Delhi said but refused to divulge details.

    After his return from Delhi on Wednesday, Baghel who was accorded a rousing reception at Raipur airport, has alleged that there are forces that wish to create political instability in the state by seeking rotation of the post of chief minister.

    On this, the former CM and BJP national vice-president Raman Singh asked Bhupesh to clarify about those demanding 2.5 year rotation of CM post. “It’s ridiculous that the Congress party despite having a huge majority in Chhattisgarh talks about political instability. Strange enough, the CM is facing threat from whom”, Singh stated.

  • Those talking of rotation of CM’s post trying to bring instability: Baghel on return from Delhi

    By PTI

    RAIPUR: Those talking about a rotation of chief minister’s post were trying to bring political instability to the state, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said here on Wednesday as he returned from Delhi.

    During his visit to the national capital, he met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other senior party leaders over his power tussle with T S Singh Deo in the state.

    In an apparent show of strength, a huge crowd of supporters along with several party MLAs and some cabinet ministers welcomed Baghel as he landed at Swami Vivekanand Airport here.

    “I have said in the past that when the high command orders, I will quit the post. No one should doubt it. Those who are talking about two and a half years, they are trying to bring political instability and they will never succeed,” he told reporters at the airport.

    “As far as the incumbent state government is concerned, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi entrusted the responsibility to a farmer like me. I am happy about it. This government is of farmers, tribals, labourers and 2.8 crore people of the state. The government is functioning well,” he added.

    Earlier, slogans such as ‘Chhattisgarh ada hua hai, CM Bhupesh Baghel ke sang khada hua hai’ (Chhattisgarh is adamant, it is standing with CM Baghel) were raised by his supporters as Baghel arrived.

    According to Congress sources, the differences between Baghel and his rival, state health minister Singh Deo, would be soon resolved.

    He met Rahul Gandhi, party general secretary K C Venugopal and Congress’s state in-charge P L Punia and held discussions on the “state government’s schemes, development and political situation” and “they were apprised of the situation in Chhattisgarh,” Baghel said.

    “Punia ji has already clarified (about the rumours of leadership change). After his statement, is there anything left to be said?” the chief minister asked.

    After Rahul Gandhi’s meetings with Baghel and Singh Deo in Delhi on Tuesday, Punia had told reporters that they discussed development issues and not the leadership change.

    Asked about opposition BJP’s demand for clarification on the issue of rotation of CM’s post, Baghel said it was worried because there was a “farmers’ government” in Chhattisgarh.

    “The son of a farmer is the chief minister whom they (BJP) consider as their biggest challenge. The BJP has no answer to the culture of Chhattisgarh,” he said.

    The BJP was in power from 2003 to 2018, but now it is reduced to 14 seats in the 90-member assembly, he said.

    Asked about the slogans in his favour at the airport, Baghel said everyone was raising slogans in favour of “Soniaji, Rahulji and the Congress party.”

    When the Congress opted for Baghel for the top post following its victory in the 2018 assembly polls, there was speculation that Singh Deo, another contender in the fray, would be allowed to take over after half the term.

    Baghel completed two and a half years in office in June 2021.

  • Temporary truce in Chhattisgarh after Rahul meeting, Baghel to continue as CM  

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  A temporary truce deal between Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Health minister TS Singh Deo was worked out after a meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to end the tiff between the two over leadership issues in the state.

    Sources said Baghel will continue to lead the state while Deo is likely to have a bigger say in the government with some of his people likely to be inducted in the cabinet.

    During the meeting, Baghel has been told not to interfere in work handled by Deo, who has complained that he was not even consulted in work related to his ministry.

    With trouble simmering between the two leaders for some time, both Baghel and Punia said that they would abide by the decision taken by the top leadership.

    Sources said that Deo being elevated as Deputy CM cannot be ruled out and AICC organisation in-charge KC Venugopal and state incharge PL Punia have been asked to work out a formula between the two leaders.

    Deo has been demanding change in leadership in the state on account that when the Congress government came to power in 2018, he was promised the post of CM during the second half of the government. Baghel completed the first half in June and since then,

    Deo has been pushing the party high command for the top post.

    However, the party denied any discussion on leadership change and said that talks were on issues related to the state and projects to be implemented in the state.

    “There was no discussion on change of leadership in Chhattisgarh,” said Punia after the meeting that lasted abround two and-a-half hours.

    Last month, Deo walked out of the Assembly after the Opposition created an uproar demanding a probe into Congress MLA Brihaspat Singh’s charge that the minister was behind an attack on him.

    Baghel likely to continue as CM

    While Bhupesh Baghel is likely to continue as chief minister, TS Singh Deo will get a bigger say in the government and may even be elevated to the post of deputy chief minister, said sources.

  • Rahul meets Baghel, Singh Deo in bid to resolve differences in Chhattisgarh Congress

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday met Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and state Health Minister T S Singh Deo in an effort to resolve the power tussle between the two senior leaders in the state.

    AICC in-charge for Chhattisgarh P L Punia and AICC general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal were also present during the meeting convened by Rahul Gandhi at his residence.

    Singh Deo and Baghel have been at loggerheads with the former claiming that the leadership at the time of the election victory in 2018 had proposed a rotation of the chief minister’s post after 2.5 years.

    Both have said they would abide by the decision of the party high command.

    “Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are our leaders and we would abide with whatever they say,”Singh Deo told reporters before the meeting.

    Baghel has also said that whatever decision the leadership takes will be followed.

    While the two have met Rahul Gandhi earlier on the issue, Baghel has also met Congress chief Sonia Gandhi.

    The Congress has been facing similar troubles in Punjab and Rajasthan, with senior leaders facing off on a range of issues.

  • Sycophancy 2.0?: On Chhattisgarh CM’s birthday, Congressman to honour 25 people named Bhupesh

    Express News Service

    RAIPUR: What’s in a name, asked William Shakespeare. Plenty, if the occasion is the birthday of a Chief Minister.

    Chhattisgarh Congressmen are celebrating the birthday of CM Bhupesh Baghel on August 23. To stand out among his fellow partymen, a senior Congress leader and former Mayor of Raipur Municipal Corporation Pramod Dubey has planned a novel move.

    Dubey announced that he would felicitate 25 people who shared the same name as the CM on Monday.

    “We are going to honour those with the name Bhupesh. They will have to contact us with their photos and Aadhaar cards. The occasion is also for those with the name Bhupesh to rejoice,” said Dubey, who lost the Lok Sabha election from Raipur constituency in 2019. Several individuals working in the banking sector, police force and media have identified themselves as ‘Bhupesh’ and are being short-listed.

    In response, the Opposition BJP said that the Congress relies more on stunts rather than fulfilling the needs of the people.

    “Congress leaders apply obsequious ways to use or misuse names to gain advantage. It doesn’t give any good public message. We have also seen such practices by Congress during the elections when they fielded candidates with identical or similar names against the opposition. Only the Congress leader (Dubey) can suggest what is in his mind by offering such a birthday compliment,” said Dharamlal Kaushik, the leader of the Opposition.

    Even a senior Congress leader on condition of anonymity said, “It’s an innovation in sycophancy.”

    Political observers were also critical of the gimmick. “It seems the corporate culture of sycophancy has percolated into politics. Whether it would be of any gain for the Congress leader organising the show remains to be seen,” said Ashok Tomar, a political analyst.

  • Chhattisgarh BJP’s new strategy ‘Avedan-Nivedan-Andolan’ to corner Congress government

    By Express News Service

    RAIPUR: The opposition BJP has chalked out a plan of action against the ruling Congress government through a three-pronged strategy, targeting it over alleged failures in governance and the nonfulfillment of election promises.

    The saffron party stated that Congress made several promises in its manifesto ahead of the 2018 Assembly elections but couldn’t keep its commitment to fulfill many of the pledges during the past 25 months after coming into power.

    Senior party leaders Brijmohan Agarwal and Rajesh Munnat, who were ministers during the BJP’s regime, said that the opposition has devised its action plan to highlight those promises that the Bhupesh Baghel government has not fulfilled besides the governance failure in Chhattisgarh.

    “Congress government has failed to deliver the promises it made to the people. So to remind them, we will first submit our plea (Avedan) to the state on the ‘unfulfilled’ promises. Later will urge (Nivedan) to comply with poll pledges the Congress made in its manifesto. And if all these didn’t yield to effective results, the party will launch aggressive protest and demonstration (Andolan) across the state”, the BJP leaders affirmed while revealing the three approaches to target the government. The BJP castigated the state government for not heeding to the people’s aspirations.

    The Congress party however countered that there were 36 targets earmarked in their manifesto and many have been fulfilled.

    “The Bhupesh Baghel government has successfully achieved over fifty percent of the promises in just two and a half year. We are committed to carry out the remaining promises too in future”, said Shailesh Nitin Trivedi, chairman Congress media cell.

  • Chhattisgarh to provide Rs 6,000 per year to landless families

    By PTI
    RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh government will launch a scheme under which landless families will be provided a financial assistance of Rs 6,000 per year, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel announced on Wednesday.

    He was replying to the debate on demand proposals for the first supplementary budget of the financial year 2021-22.

    After the discussion, the supplementary budget of Rs 2,485.59 crore was passed. “Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Bhoomihin Krishi Majdoor Nyay Yojna will be launched, under which the families which do not possess agriculture land and are dependent on agri labour or MGNREGA work (for livelihood) in rural areas will be given assistance of Rs 6,000 per year,” Baghel said.

    Other sections of rural population such as barbers, dhobis (washermen), blacksmiths, priests will also be covered under the scheme, he added.

    The scheme will be implemented from the ongoing financial year with a provision of Rs 200 crore made in the supplementary budget, he said.

    The Centre had consented to buying 60 lakh metric tons of rice from the state but took only 24 lakh MT, and the state government had to auction the remaining stock at a loss, Baghel claimed.

    “Despite this, we have been supporting farmers in every situation, even by taking loans,” he said.

    Lack of certain facilities posed a challenge during the first and second wave of COVID-19 but now the government has been making efforts to ensure availability of better medical facilities across the state, he said, adding that for this a provision of Rs 957 crore has been made for the Health department.

    During the second wave, the state government not only did a good job of managing the situation but also supplied medical oxygen to other states, he noted.

    A provision of Rs 39 crore has been made for the acquisition of private-run Chandulal Chandrakar Memorial Medical College in Durg district, he said.

    Earlier in the day, the state government tabled the Chhattisgarh Chandulal Chandrakar Memorial Medical College, Durg (Acquisition) Bill, 2021, in the assembly. Discussion on the bill is yet to take place.

    Provision has been also made for the construction of a special jail with the capacity to house 1,500 prisoners at a cost of Rs 126 crore at Nagoi village in Bilaspur district, the CM informed.

  • Chhattisgarh govt terminates 158 MoUs, citing no progress in execution

    By PTI
    RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh government has cancelled 158 memoranda of understanding (MoUs), signed between different departments and companies between 2001 and 2018, after no progress was made in their execution, an official said on Friday.

    According to an official statement, of the 158 MoUs, 103 were signed during the Global Investors’ Meet in 2012 during the tenure of the Raman Singh-led BJP government in the state.

    The decision in this regard was taken during the 15th meeting of the State Investment Promotion Board chaired by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel here on Thursday, the official said.

    During the meeting, a review of 158 MoUs, including 55 signed between 2001 and 2018 and 103 during the Global Investors’ Meet 2012, revealed that no action was taken for their execution, following which these agreements were terminated, he said.

    As per the statement, at least 211 MoUs for capital investment of Rs 3,03,115 crore were signed between 2001 and 2018, but the actual investment was limited to Rs 78,776.36 crore.

    Of these 211 MoUs, production has started under 67 agreements and implementation process is underway in 61 MoUs, while projects were yet to start under 55 MoUs, which have now been cancelled, the release stated.

    Similarly, apart from 211 MoUs, at least 275 MoUs were signed at the Global Investors’ Meet for capital investment of over Rs 93,830 crore, but the actual investment of Rs 2,003.

    59 crore was made, it said.

    Of these contracts, works under 25 projects have been started after site selection, while the remaining 103 MoUs have been cancelled by the board due to inaction, it said.

    As many as 115 MoUs have been signed since 2019 under the Baghel-led government with the proposed capital investment of Rs 46,937 crore, and of these, implementation of projects under 92 agreements have started and production has started in one of the projects, the release said.

    The Chief Minister has directed officials to examine and approve the capital investment proposals for setting up units for ethanol production from maize and sugarcane in the state, it said.

    He also directed to constitute two committees to address problems faced by all industries.

    “To address policy-related issues, a committee headed by the state industry minister should be constituted, while a panel should be formed under the chairmanship of the chief secretary for attend to concerns about project implementation,” Baghel said.

    These committees will work to expedite the setting up of agro-based and iron and mineral-based industries in the Bastar region, he added. 

  • Chhattisgarh govt nullifies 158 MoUs after being failed to execute them

    Express News Service
    RAIPUR: In a major decision, the Congress-ruled Chhattisgarh government on Thursday cancelled 158 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) for their non-action and failure to execute the plans.

    The decision to nullify the MoUs was taken during the review meeting of the State Investment Promotion Board chaired by the CM Bhupesh Baghel at his official residence in Raipur.

    The annulled MoUs included 103 signed during the Global Investors Meet held in 2012 and the remaining 55 inked between 2001 to 2018.

    ALSO READ | Left parties upset over Chhattisgarh govt ad on road connectivity in ‘Left Front-affected areas’

    The production has already begun in 67 MoUs and the execution plan is underway in 61 other agreements signed with the state and the instructions issued to expedite the implementation of the MoUs that remain effective, according to the official statement issued after the meeting.

    In the Global Investors Meet, as many as 275 MoUs worth Rs 9,3830 crore were signed. However, the capital investment of only Rs 2003 crore in six projects so far has been accomplished in Chhattisgarh, the officials informed.

    The state government has also constituted two separate committees for addressing the issues faced by the industries in the state.