Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on the Congress party during a rally in Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, on Monday. Shah alleged that if the Congress were to regain power in Chhattisgarh after the upcoming Assembly polls next month, they would persist with "appeasement politics" to secure votes.
In his address to the crowd, Shah remarked that the Congress government had established a "corruption chain" that extended all the way to Delhi, likening it to a food chain of restaurants, as per news agency PTI. He assured the audience that if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were to come to power in Chhattisgarh, they would ensure that every penny looted through corruption would be recovered, and the wrongdoers would face severe consequences, including possible prosecution.
Shah highlighted the transformation that Chhattisgarh had experienced under the BJP, particularly during the 15-year tenure of former Chief Minister Raman Singh, who came to power in 2003. He stressed that the state, which was previously described as 'BIMARU' (laggard) during the Congress rule when Chhattisgarh was part of undivided Madhya Pradesh, had evolved into a developed state.
The Home Minister also criticised the Bhupesh Baghel-led government for its handling of communal violence that erupted in Biranpur village of Bemetara district in April. Shah posed the question to the audience, asking whether they wanted Chhattisgarh to revert to a state plagued by communal riots. The rally was organised just before the filing of nomination forms for former Chief Minister Raman Singh and three other BJP candidates in Rajnandgaon.
The opposition BJP has nominated Ishwar Sahu, the father of Bhuneshwar Sahu, who lost his life in the Biranpur riot, to contest from the Saja Assembly segment in Bemetara district. The Chhattisgarh elections are scheduled to be held in two phases on November 7 and 17, with the outcome eagerly anticipated.
Shah also made a commitment to bring justice for Bhuneshwar Sahu, who he claimed was a victim of political calculations and appeasement. He reiterated that the BJP had granted a ticket to Bhuneshwar Sahu's father, emphasising the need for justice and the prevention of a return to communal strife in the state, PTI reported.
Shah raised concerns about various scams that transpired during the Congress rule in Chhattisgarh, accusing CM Baghel of converting the state into a financial resource for the "Delhi darbar" (central government).
Shah listed a series of alleged scams, including a liquor scam worth INR 2000 crore and a coal scam worth over INR 500 crore, which had resulted in the incarceration of some of Baghel's office officers. Other charges included a scam in the Pradhan Mantri Anna Yojna, as well as a gaming and betting app scandal worth INR 5000 crore.
Shah's speech was punctuated with criticism of the Congress government for an alleged scam in the recruitment process of the public service commission. He referred to the current administration as the "tees taka, Bhupesh kaka" government, using a colloquial term for Baghel.
During his speech, Shah highlighted the achievements of the previous Raman Singh government, which he claimed had ushered in development in every corner of the state, including areas with a significant Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Scheduled Castes (SCs) population. In contrast, Shah questioned the accomplishments of Baghel's administration over the past five years.
Shah characterised the upcoming elections as an opportunity to shape Chhattisgarh's future under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He underscored the importance of each vote, declaring that they would contribute to Chhattisgarh's promising future.
The Home Minister also criticised Baghel's government for failing to fulfill election promises, such as the implementation of prohibition. According to Shah, the Congress government reneged on 315 promises and discontinued welfare schemes that were operational during the BJP's rule. He accused Baghel of diverting state funds to the central government and turning Chhattisgarh into an 'ATM.'
He expressed optimism about the BJP's prospects in the upcoming elections and predicted a resounding victory on December 3, the day of counting.
Shah praised the Modi government for enhancing the country's pride and advancing social reforms, including providing 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. He urged the people to elect the BJP in Chhattisgarh and re-elect the Modi government in 2024.
Following the rally, Raman Singh, who is contesting the Rajnandgaon seat, and three other BJP candidates filed their nomination papers at the Collectorate, accompanied by Amit Shah.