Bastar: Congress National General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi is visiting Bastar for the first time. The ruling Congress in the state keenly awaits its first-ever visit on Thursday by the party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi to the tribal-dominated Bastar region. She will address the public meeting by participating in ‘Bharose Ka Sammelan’ about 300km south of Raipur, as an informal launch of their poll campaign in the state.
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel tweeted about the preparations for Priyanka Gandhi’s visit to the state. He tweeted a video and captioned it, ‘Bastar is ready waiting for Priyanka Gandhi’.
Priyanka Gandhi was received by Bhupesh Baghel at Raipur Airport as she came to attend the 85th Congress session. More than 3000 jawans have been deployed in Bastar security and 6 to 7 Indian Police Service officers have been deployed. Security has been arranged in three layers from the venue to road outside.
Political parties believe that the road to power in Chhattisgarh is via Bastar, which holds the key to the formation of government in the state. All the 12 assembly seats in Bastar are with Congress. Vying for the support of the Adivasis, Priyanka will address a public rally at Lalbagh ground in Jagdalpur.
PCC Chief Mohan Markam and Excise Minister Kawasi Lakhma are monitoring Priyanka’s visit. Urban local bodies Minister Shiv Dahria, Education Minister Dr. Prem Sai Singh Tekam, higher education minister Umesh Patel and most cabinet ministers and many big leaders of Congress will participate in the programme.