Chhattisgarh: Viral interview shows CM Bhupesh Baghel avoiding questions on governance and corruption; BJP takes dig

Leading up to the impending election in Chhattisgarh, journalist Saurabh Dwivedi conducted a comprehensive interview with Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, delving into various issues concerning the state’s development.

This 1.5-hour-long conversation, featured on the ‘Jamghat’ show, was released on Lallantop’s YouTube channel on November 5, is widely shared, as the Chhattisgriya CM was caught uncomfortable as he was running away from the questions raised by the journalist.

Right from the outset, Baghel was questioned about the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAJ) not being implemented in Chhattisgarh and the state’s failure to allocate funds for the housing project.

When asked about the reported halt in the construction of 8 lakh houses for the underprivileged, the Chhattisgarh CM asserted, “There is no such issue… 7.5 lakh people have already received houses.” He then shifted the blame to the Union government for not conducting the Census and Economic Survey in 2021.

Baghel contended that the State government had taken matters into their own hands and conducted a survey, revealing that only 47,000 people were without homes. “We promptly approved the necessary funding,” he stated.

On Compensation to Muslims only

When confronted by Saurabh Dwivedi regarding a letter from Union Steel Ministry Secretary Nagendra Nath Sinha, accusing the state of not allocating Rs 562 crores for the construction of 7.8 lakh houses in Chhattisgarh in 2021-2022, Baghel admitted that the State had different priorities at that time, given the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Journalist Saurabh Dwivedi highlighted two murder cases in Chhattisgarh, one involving a person from the ‘Sahu’ caste and the other a Muslim individual. He pointed out that compensation was extended to the OBC victim, but not to the impoverished Muslim victim who worked as a goat herder.

In response, Baghel defended the choice not to grant compensation to the Muslim victim, stating that no members of his community approached him seeking compensation. He explained, “Representatives from the Sahu community approached me, requesting both employment opportunities and compensation. We fulfilled their requests. However, no one from the other community came forward.”

PSC Scam

Dwivedi brought attention to allegations of favouritism in the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPSC) examination, following the selection of relatives of two bureaucrats in the competitive exam.

In response, a defensive Bhupesh Baghel argued, “Not every relative of officials who took the exams passed… Why should I be held accountable for this? No relative of any Minister has been chosen for CGPSC. Can’t the relatives of bureaucrats take exams?”

When reminded that he was the CM of the State, he stated that there was no law prohibiting children and relatives of bureaucrats from participating in CGPSC. “If you wish, you can impose a ban… Na rehegi baas, na bajegi bansuri,” Baghel commented.

Agricultural debt

Saurah Dwivedi questioned the Chhatisgarh CM about the ongoing conflict between his government and the Union regarding agricultural and farm sector issues.

Bhupesh Baghel attributed the bonuses provided to farmers on two occasions to Manmohan Singh and the UPA government. He positioned himself as a supporter of farmers for offering subsidies, even if it meant increasing the State’s debt.

The Congress leader accused PM Narendra Modi of spreading misinformation regarding the procurement of grains from the State at Minimum Support Price (MSP). When asked about the State’s borrowing practices, he alleged that the nation’s debt has tripled under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Baghel further contended that the loans acquired by the Chhatisgarh government accounted for 16 per cent of its GDP, with an interest repayment rate of 6 per cent, purportedly falling below the threshold established by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). He deflected the issue by questioning how the Centre could accuse them when it, too, was taking loans.

Caste data 

In December last year, the Congress-led government in Chhatisgarh passed two bills that significantly increased reservation in both jobs and educational institutions, bringing the total to an impressive 76 per cent.

As noted by journalist Saurabh Dwivedi, the quota for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) was raised from 14 per cent to 27 per cent. He highlighted the formation of a committee, led by a retired Judge, tasked with assessing the caste composition within the OBC population. However, the findings were not presented in the Vidhan Sabha.

When asked specifically about why the ‘quantifiable data’ had not been made public, the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister initially evaded the question. He later contended that the State’s Governor did not have the authority to insist on the government presenting it in the Vidhan Sabha.

Bhupesh Baghel stated, “The Governor can either approve the bill or send it back. That’s the extent of his role.” He then shifted blame onto the Centre for not releasing the caste census conducted in 2011, conveniently overlooking the fact that the Congress was in power at the Centre until 2014 and had three years to disclose the data.

Delay in government schemes 

The Chhattisgarh Chief Minister faced criticism for the delayed introduction of the Chhattisgarh Unemployment Allowance Scheme. Saurabh Dwivedi pointed out, “It was part of the Congress manifesto in 2018 but took four years to be implemented. Moreover, several restrictions have been imposed. The youth is disheartened.”

In response, Bhupesh Baghel offered an unusual defense, stating that items outlined in the manifesto are not necessarily meant to be immediately enacted. He explained, “We were elected for a 5-year term. It doesn’t mean all schemes will be rolled out in the first year itself.”

“We can only implement such measures when funds are available,” he added. Under the scheme, eligible unemployed youth in Chhattisgarh receive a sum of  Rs 2500 per person as support.

Irregularities in mining bids 

Bhupesh Baghel was questioned about the State government’s choice to conduct offline auction bids for coal mines. Journalist Saurabh Dwivedi brought attention to various controversies in the State, ranging from the liquor scheme to ED chargesheets and the apprehension of individuals with close ties to the Chhattisgarh CM.

Other irregularities

In August of this year, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at approximately 10 locations in Chhattisgarh. These searches encompassed the premises of various officials, including the political advisor to the state’s Chief Minister, Vinod Verma, and an Officer on Special Duty (OSD).

In July 2023, the ED also conducted raids targeting numerous bureaucrats, among them IAS officer Ranu Sahu and Chhattisgarh Congress leader Ramgopal Agarwal, who serves as the PCC treasurer. These raids were part of a money laundering investigation.

Furthermore, in December of the previous year, the ED arrested Saumya Chaurasia, the deputy secretary to Chhattisgarh’s CM, Bhupesh Baghel, in connection with an illegal mining case involving over Rs 150 crore. Chaurasia, a Chhattisgarh Administrative Service (CAS) public official, had joined the CM’s office when Baghel assumed the state government in 2018. Central authorities had been monitoring her, and locations linked to her and others were also subject to raids conducted by the Income Tax (IT) department.

It’s worth noting that the ED has been actively investigating several cases in Chhattisgarh, which encompass allegations of a coal scam, a liquor scam, irregularities in the District Mineral Foundation fund, and a case related to an online betting application.

During his interview with Lallantop, Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel characterised the ED’s actions as ‘selective.’

BJP takes dig 

From the official Twitter handle BJP Chhattisgarh wrote, “Hearing the question of journalist Saurabh Dwivedi, Bhupesh Baghel broke into sweat… Bhupesh Baghel ran away from the interview.”

पत्रकार सौरभ द्विवेदी के सवाल सुन भूपेश बघेल के छूटे पसीने… इंटरव्यू से भाग खड़े हुए भूपेश बघेल pic.twitter.com/PoGavhEsMj

— BJP Chhattisgarh (@BJP4CGState) November 5, 2023 

General secretary of BJP Chhattisgarh, OP Choudhary wrote, “Hearing the question of journalist Saurabh Dwivedi, Bhupesh Baghel broke into sweat… Bhupesh Baghel ran away from the interview.”