Updated: 24 November 2020 11:27:17 am
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. (Archive)
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel speaks with Manoj CG about the state’s fight against Maoism, its relations with the Center, and rumors within Congress.
Recently, he had a meeting with the Minister of the Interior, Amit Shah. He urged him to increase employment opportunities in the Bastar region to end the Maoist problem. How are you tackling the problem? There is surely a drop in attacks.
Naxalism is not over. Its impact is still there. But there has been a decrease in the number of incidents. There have been surrenders. And some of the great Maoist leaders have been arrested or killed in clashes. That is an ongoing process. At the same time, there is a need to provide job opportunities and other facilities such as road connectivity, electricity, mobile towers, health and educational facilities to the people there (in areas affected by the Maoists) as elsewhere. Our government has been trying to address those problems despite limited resources. More resources are needed and I brought all of these issues to the attention of the Home Secretary. His response was very positive. He asked me to send him separate proposals so he could write to those departments.
You said their response was positive. But there have been tensions between the Center and the states ruled by the Opposition on a number of issues, with the bills passed by Congress being the states ruled to deny the agricultural bills passed by the Center.
Problems arise when attempts are made to restrict the rights and powers of states and decisions are made without relying on them. That creates conflict. Look at the agriculture bills. They called it agriculture bills, but brought in agricultural marketing bills. Then it becomes a central theme. But farmers are affected and impacted. So the Center should have entrusted the states and discussed with them … but that did not happen. And that is why many states are opposed. On the other hand, the CBI had been continuously misused. And central agencies, be it ED, NIA or Income Tax, are misused in states where the BJP is not in power.
But many of the states not ruled by the BJP like Odisha, Andhra Pradesh or Tamil Nadu did not oppose. And not just farm bills … on many other issues … these states have not taken a very strong position. It gives the impression that the opposition in Congress is political.
They will also do it tomorrow, if not today. Not that Vidhan Sabha is the only forum to register a protest. They will too. We think we should support farmers against the anti-farmer policies of the central government … so we have passed the bills. There is no politics in it. Each state has different problems and interests. Look at the Badals … they were with them … Shiromani Akali Dal … they are gone. So there have been many cases where they (the other parties) remain silent and sometimes oppose and withdraw… so everyone feels the pressure too. That is clearly visible. Who can speak openly?
He had created a commission to review cases brought against people in the districts affected by the Maoists. What is the state?
That process is underway. There is a committee headed by Judge (AK) Patnaik … we are continually reviewing. We will act quickly soon. We have had meetings of all the officers at the DG level and taking all aspects into consideration we will soon act. Our officers are investigating the cases of those who have been arrested or detained on behalf of Naxal… there will be results soon.
What is your opinion on the plans of some states ruled by the BJP to enact laws against “love jihad”? Such laws can have interstate ramifications.
I can’t say much unless I see the provisions of these bills. In what form are these accounts being brought? And what is this all about? But I would like to know what category those BJP leaders and the children of those BJP leaders who have married people of other faiths fall into. Will they come in the love jihad category? I can give many names. Will they all come under the scope of loving jihad?
As prime minister of an opposition-ruled state, do you have a working relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi? How was the coordination with the Center during the Covid period?
Look, the Prime Minister is always busy. When I first tried to meet him after I took over as Prime Minister… he was traveling abroad. I am serving two years as Chief Minister … but I’ve only seen him twice, that too in one day. When the Niti Aayog met for the first time after he assumed the post of Prime Minister for the second time … I met him at his residence … and then I met him at the meeting. When it comes to coordination, our demands during the Covid period were not met. The Center has not paid our GST fees to us. We are in November and we have not yet received the GST dues this financial year.
In political conversations … we often hear about the Kerala model, the Bengal model, the Gujarat model and all … Why does no state ruled by Congress emerge as a model state?
Today there is much talk of the Chhattisgarh model. Be it Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana or Godhan Nyay Yojana … and be it the arrangements we made for the people who returned to the state during the Crown period … the issue of forest rights or minor forest products … or the fight against malnutrition … our state is number one. There is also much talk about our performance in creating jobs under MGNREGA during the crown period. At this time of economic slowdown when GDP growth is declining and GDP size is shrinking … when other states are lagging behind in GST collections … Chhattisgarh saw 24 percent growth in GST collections in September and came second in the country. In October, Chhattisgarh ranked No. 1 in the country in GST collection with a growth of 26 percent and shared the top spot with Andhra Pradesh. There is a slowdown across the country, but not in Chhattisgarh.
CM Baghel said, “Ups and downs are natural in politics. In time there will be a change. In the times to come … our performance may be good. We cannot rule out that possibility. “
Can you elaborate?
For example MGNREGA. We expanded MGNREGA during the confinement and the money began to reach the hands of the people. Then we launched Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana on May 21 and started depositing money into farmers’ accounts … Similarly, during closing … we made arrangements for the acquisition of minor forest products … tendu leaves , mahua, tamarind … so the money got into the hands of the tribes. We made sure that the money got into the hands of farmers, workers and tribes. And we have spearheaded the production of steel and coal and the procurement of minor forest products. We have come in second to provide jobs under MGNREGA during the shutdown. Chhattisgarh has recorded record motorcycle sales. That shows the money has reached the hands of the people. And there is a record production of coal and steel because we do not allow the closure of mines or plants.
Speaking of Congress… the party performed poorly in Bihar and in the Assembly by-elections.
People have high expectations of Congress. We won Punjab with a two-thirds majority, we won Chhattisgarh with a three-quarters majority, we won Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, we are in government in Maharashtra. In one or two places, we perform weakly … but that’s widely discussed, but when we win … that’s not talked about.
In Maharashtra you came fourth.
But we won in Jharkhand. We fought the elections in alliance and we won and the Government is working successfully.
As a senior leader … former president of the state Congress and now chief minister, don’t you think there are deficiencies in Congress?
Look, ups and downs are natural in politics. In time there will be a change. In times to come … our performance may be good. We cannot rule out that possibility.
After each electoral defeat, there are calls for introspection and change. Then there will be a war of words between leaders. After a few days, everything becomes normal. The same sequence of events is repeated after a new defeat.
Why would we face defeat? I just told you the names of the states where we had won. We win some, we lose some. Is the BJP winning everywhere? How did they act in Goa or Karnataka? Yes, they formed the government through the back door … breakaway parties … but how did they perform? Even in Bihar … they just scrape through. They managed to get just three more seats than the midway mark. They have 125. Are they comfortable? It is not a clear majority … Just getting ahead is not enough. The question is how much people value your policies and programs.
So you think there is nothing wrong with Congress?
It’s not like that. There is always room for improvement. We will improve and there will be changes.
But you, as well as Rajasthan’s chief minister, Ashok Gehlot, criticized Kapil Sibal when he spoke about the situation in the party after the recent electoral defeat. Why do you view the comments calling for a change in the party so negatively?
It can be said in the party forum. The CWC meets regularly. Ghar ki baat toh aap bahar thodi na karenge principal. Look … if there is a problem between father and son at home … it has one meaning and if you take it outside … it will have a different meaning.
Congress is a political party. A political party works among the people … you seek votes from the people. It is not like a house or a business
Then talk about our policies and programs. Introspection must take place within the group. It should be done in the party forums… ..ya sadak main karenge. He’s a high-ranking leader, a high-level lawyer … he was a high-ranking minister. I should have been careful.
In your opinion, what should Congress do to regain the confidence of the people?
I will give my opinion when there is discussion in the party. I will give suggestions to my leaders.
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