Raipur, August 8th – Deepak Baij, the Chhattisgarh Congress President, has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of engaging in divisive and communal politics as they strive to secure power in the upcoming state assembly elections later this year. Baij stated that the ruling Congress is closely monitoring regional parties and smaller groups aiming to contest the assembly polls, particularly in tribal-dominated areas. He dismissed the electoral prospects of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led by Arvind Kejriwal in Chhattisgarh.
Baij, a Lok Sabha member from the Bastar constituency, emphasized that the Congress will jointly contest the elections under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and senior party figures. The party intends to highlight the accomplishments of the state government’s welfare initiatives.
“The BJP lacks substantial issues to criticize the Chhattisgarh government, resorting instead to a ‘divide and rule’ strategy. Their aim is to create divisions along caste and religious lines, fostering discord among the populace,” alleged Baij, who recently assumed the role of state Congress chief. He cited incidents of conflicts over the burial of tribal individuals who had converted to Christianity in the Bastar region, claiming that these tensions emerged during the previous BJP rule in the state.
Baij also criticized the BJP-led central government regarding the Enforcement Directorate’s actions related to alleged coal and liquor scams in the state. He labeled the allegations baseless, accusing the agency of acting as a BJP tool against non-BJP governed states.
When asked about the upcoming state elections, Baij viewed each election, be it assembly or panchayat, as a challenge. He asserted that the Congress has diligently served all sections of society during its tenure, boasting a well-organized party structure from grassroots levels to the state.
Regarding the possibility of denying tickets to some sitting MLAs, Baij acknowledged the potential for changes in equations and emphasized Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel’s close engagement with legislators.
Responding to the Sarva Adivasi Samaj’s plans to contest tribal-dominated areas, Baij stated that individuals are free to engage in politics. He asserted that Bastar has historically been a Congress stronghold, except for instances when the BJP misled the electorate.
The Sarva Adivasi Samaj, representing tribal groups in the state, intends to contest around 50 seats, including 29 reserved for Scheduled Tribe candidates. Baij expressed confidence in the Congress securing all 12 seats in the Bastar region.
In the 2018 assembly polls, the Congress returned to power in Chhattisgarh after a substantial hiatus, securing 68 out of the total 90 seats. The BJP garnered 15 seats, while the Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) coalition managed five and two seats, respectively. Currently, the Congress holds 71 seats in the state assembly.
