Baghel: Congress will sweep Chhattisgarh because of farmers’ support

The Congress is confident of winning over 75 seats in the 90-member Chhattisgarh Assembly because of support from farmers who will play a decisive role in elections, chief minister Bhupesh Baghel says.

Baghel told PTI that his government had implemented several schemes for the welfare of farmers and their support will help the Congress to retain power in the state.

Assembly elections will be held in Chhattisgarh, India’s rice bowl, on November 7 and 17. The vote will be counted on December 3 along with four other states also going to the polls next month.

Asked about the Congress victory prospects, Baghel said: "The biggest factor is farmers and then women, youth and businessmen. We have put money into the pockets of farmers and youth through various schemes. When money reaches the market, businessmen become happy.

"We have fulfilled the promise we made to the farmers and tendu leaves collectors in the last five years. Similarly, work has been done in education, health, culture and infrastructure sectors.

“The work in these directions has brought transformation in the lives of the people of Chhattisgarh, especially financially," he said.

Multi-faceted work

Baghel said the economic condition of farmers had improved and women Self Help Groups were doing well, providing employment in rural areas.

"Several schemes of the state government, including Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana, Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Bhoomihin Krishi Majdoor Nyay Yojana and Godhan Nyay Yojana, have transformed the lives of people," he said.

He said his government had ensured the right of tribals and brought peace back to Bastar, once a Naxalite hotbed.

“All these things will help us (in elections),” the chief minster asserted.

Baghel said his government had also launched its own housing scheme after the Centre did not cooperate in the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).

“We have so far made these three major announcements, but BJP is silent over what they will do and are just levelling allegations," he said.

Banning liquor

Asked if the Congress failure to fulfil its election promise of banning liquor will dent its women vote bank, he said: "We tried to impose prohibition, and COVID-19 pandemic was an ideal period for it. But people died after consuming spurious liquor. We are trying to make people understand (why prohibition could not be imposed)."

On the pending promise of regularisation of contractual employees, he said: "We went through the guidelines of the Supreme Court and its decision would not have been followed (if contractual employees were regularised).

“We have hiked their salary from 27 per cent to 40 per cent, which benefited them. They are satisfied to a great extent."

Baghel said he and his colleagues were talking to Congress leaders who were denied ticket to contest the Assembly elections.

“It is natural for a person who has been denied a ticket to get annoyed… Talks are going on with them and many people were pacified and those who are not will be persuaded."

Adani factor

Baghel accused industrialist Gautam Adani of backing BJP leader and former chief minister Raman Singh.

Queried if his party would put curbs on Adani in the state if the Congress retained power, he said: "There is no issue of banning (Adani)… We don't have any enmity with Adani. But should everything go to Adani? This is wrong.”

Baghel insisted that the implementation of the old pension scheme (OPS) for government employees will not add any burden on the state government till 2060.

But he said the Centre should return Rs 17,000 crore deposited towards the new pension scheme (NPS).

“If the BJP is by mistake elected in the states, it will immediately implement NPS replacing OPS,” he warned.

(With agency inputs)