News Analysis India

Tag: Bhupesh Bhagel

  • Chhattisgarh CM assures rehabilitation of displaced Bastar tribals, majority still not willing to return

    Express News Service

    RAIPUR: The issue of a suitable rehabilitation plan for the internally displaced Bastar tribals, whose plight now cited by activists as similar to the Kashmiri Pandits, might continue to hang fire. However, the majority of migrated tribals are not willing to return despite Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel agreeing to work on bringing them back and extending a secured environment in Bastar.

    The tribals from the conflict zone Bastar had shifted to the neighbouring states of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha during the controversial Salwa Judum (anti-Maoist campaign) some 15 years ago.

    Around a hundred Bastar tribals, who met Baghel at his official residence in Raipur, seemed content with the CM’s assurance for the displaced adivasis returning would be provided safe areas in and around the police or security force camps.

    “It’s a welcome move by the chief minister who accepted the demands raised by the displaced tribals and he assured to provide a conducive environment for their return through an action plan. But the majority of the migrated tribals might not be keen to shift close to police camps or even unwilling to return. So our next move would be to proceed to Delhi where the Centre would be urged to initiate a wider rehabilitation plan through conversation with the concerned adjoining states. When a suitable rehabilitation plan can happen in Tripura state, then why not then for Bastar tribals”, said Shubhranshu Choudhary, convener of the New Peace Process in Bastar zone.

    The officials who were recently sent from Bastar zone at the behest of the state government to the adjoining states to carry out the ground survey told TNIE that only a small percentage of displaced adivasis are willing to return to Chhattisgarh and that too after they are assured of a secured and safe area to live.

    Most of the tribals who moved out of Bastar fearing violence are not prepared to return despite confronting adversity in their daily life in neighbouring states, the officials revealed. According to an estimate, the Bastar tribals have settled in over 200 villages of Telangana and AP.

    There are over 50000 families who are believed to have migrated from Bastar during the Salwa Judum and 152 of them have given their consent to return after the meeting with the CM to live near a safe area close to the base camps, Chowdhary added.

  • After Capt Amarinder Singh, clock ticking for Gehlot, Baghel?

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: With a tough stand taken by party high command to end power tussle in Punjab, the focus will now be to settle internal feud in two other Congress-ruled states – Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh – where the party is facing similar trouble over power-sharing.

    A senior Congress leader said that the decision taken by party high command asking Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh to step down is a signal to Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Bhagel who are entwined in similar battles in respective states.  Like Punjab, the party has been trying, by all means, to amicably settle the differences between leadership but may have to end up taking an adverse stand if nothing works.   

    There has been growing trouble between Gehlot and former Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot, who has been pushing for a change of guards. A temporary truce formula was worked out between the two after a botched coup attempt by Pilot in 2020. 

    ALSO READ | Change of guard in offing in Punjab? CM Amarinder Singh asked to step down

    “Gehlot has been not agreeing to the formula of cabinet expansion to induct MLAs from Pilot’s camp and on other posts. This is when several missives have been sent to him and the central team has visited the state. He is not even coming to Delhi, citing some or other reasons. The next focus in coming days will be on Rajasthan to settle troubles in the state,” said sources.

    Ajay Maken, AICC in-charge of Rajasthan, Friday said that the roadmap for cabinet expansion in the state is ready and has been delayed due to Gehlot’s health, who recently underwent angioplasty.   

    The party high command is also keeping an eye on issues in Chhattisgarh where Baghel and his cabinet minister TS Singh Deo are at crossroads over the change of guards. Former Congress chief Rahu Gandhi has held a series of meetings with both the leaders over the promise of rotational CM made to Deo at the time of government formation in 2017.

    “Baghel has been given a lifeline for time being and Deo has been assured that the promise of rotational CM will be fulfilled. We may see some progress in this regard after the assembly elections,” said another party leader.