Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on November 2, slammed Congress and said that Akbar is more important than Bhupesh Baghel for Chhattisgarh Congress.
Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “Congress complained against me when I spoke about Akbar. It would have made sense to file a complaint if I had spoken something against TS Singh Deo or Baghel or any Congress leader. I think, for the Chhattisgarh Congress, Akbar is more important than Bhupesh Baghel. Why is Akbar so dear to you (Congress)?”
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India (ECI), on October 26 issued a show-cause notice to Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma over his speech during the Chhattisgarh poll campaign in Kawardha.
The Election Commission in the show-cause notice mentioned that certain parts of Himanta Biswa Sarma’s speech on October 18 have been found to be “prima facia violative”. The Assam Chief Minister also spoke about the BJP manifesto in Chhattisgarh election.
He said, “The manifesto released by BJP will be pure gold, BJP It will take the right decision at the right time, this time BJP will release a good manifesto, wait a little, a much better manifesto will be released.
#WATCH | On Election Commission notice to him on his 'Akbar' remark, BJP leader & Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma says, "Congress complained against me when I spoke about Akbar. It would have made sense to file a complaint if I had spoken something against TS Singh Deo or Baghel or… pic.twitter.com/e507tSMd7J
— ANI (@ANI) November 2, 2023
“Bhupesh Baghel’s name is being replaced in this year’s elections, Congress is also gradually removing him from the post of CM as BJP is going to form government in Chhattisgarh,” he added.
Speaking about alleged religious conversion in Chhattisgarh Sarma said, “Conversion is not an issue in Chhattisgarh, it is a social issue, it is a very big issue, this is a criminal conspiracy happening against us, if Chhattisgarh has to be saved then there must be some big law.” The system will have to be taken against conversion, conversion should not be done with greed, if I question the Chief Minister, Bhupesh Baghel himself will be against conversion.”
#WATCH | BJP leader & Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma arrives in Chhatisgarh's Raipur ahead of State Assembly elections
"As per the information I have, Congress has decided that Bhupesh Baghel's name should be removed from banners and posters. This has started in the last 10 days.… pic.twitter.com/KsU2L3w08j
— ANI (@ANI) November 2, 2023
Chhattisgarh is going to polls in two phases in November. The first phase of polling for 20 seats in Chhattisgarh will be held on November 7. After the first phase of polling on November 7, the remaining 70 seats in the state will go to polls on November 17. The counting of votes will be done on December 3.
Elections in Chhattisgarh will be contested on 90 assembly seats and both the major contenders in the state, BJP and Congress, have released their final list of all 90 candidates in the state. Earlier in the 2018 assembly polls, the Congress witnessed a landslide victory, winning 68 seats out of 90 of those against the then-ruling BJP, which acquired 15 seats.
(with inputs from ANI)
