Raipur- Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel of Raipur took a jibe at the opposition BJP, mocking their shortage of state leaders, following the appointment of Durg MP Vijay Baghel as the convener of the manifesto committee for the upcoming assembly elections. Baghel criticised the BJP for sidelining dedicated party leaders and giving the responsibility of creating the manifesto to Vijay, who was previously associated with the Congress and needed a deeper understanding of BJP ideology. Baghel pointed out that recent appointments in the central executive committee of the BJP were influenced by BJP national vice-president Raman Singh, resulting in the selection of Vishnudeo Sai and Dharamlal Kaushik for positions.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided to establish a 31-member panel, headed by Lok Sabha MP Vijay Baghel, to prepare the party manifesto for the impending assembly elections in Chhattisgarh. The panel, appointed by Chhattisgarh BJP chief Arun Sao, includes co-conveners such as MLA Shivratan Sharma, former MP Ramvichar Netam, and former state minister Amar Agrawal.
Baghel also responded to BJP’s criticism of an alleged liquor scam, suggesting that action should be taken against the distillers who sold liquor without paying excise duty. He highlighted that these individuals’ properties and bank accounts were not seized despite the investigation by the Enforcement Directorate revealing details of the scam. Baghel further emphasised that the liquor trade in Chhattisgarh continued to operate under policies implemented during Raman Singh’s government, questioning the former chief minister’s relationship with distillers. The state excise department has issued notices to three distillers and officials based on the ED’s findings, and Baghel assured that every penny owed to the state government would be recovered.