The Chhattisgarh

Category: Chhattisgarh

  • Ten heads and name Thugesh, BJP’s poster war on Dussehra; CM Bhupesh Baghel replied

    Chhattisgarh Assembly Election 2023 : When the main opposition party of Chhattisgarh, Bharatiya Janata Party released a poster taunting the Congress government on the occasion of Dussehra on Tuesday morning, the Chief Minister immediately hit back and said that it was the tradition of Thakur Raman Singh and his party to abuse the backward people, tribals and Dalits. Is. In the assembly elections being held in Chhattisgarh, political parties are no longer shying away from attacking each other even through festivals. On Tuesday morning of Dussehra, the state unit of BJP released a poster titled ‘This time there will be burning of Ravana of corruption’ on social media ‘X’ (formerly Twitter).

    In the poster, a cartoon has been created wearing kurta pajama which has been named ‘Thagesh’. Ten heads have been created in this cartoon and the heads have been named Transfer Scam, Jihadgarh, Coal Scam, Rice Scam, PSC Scam, Liquor Scam, Cow Dung Scam, Conversion, Murder and Rape. This alleged Ravana is holding the weapon of ‘corruption’. In the cartoon, a Chhattisgarhi wearing a saffron T-shirt is shooting fire arrows at the so-called ten-headed Ravana, saying ‘Au nahi sahibo, badal ke rahibo’ (We will not tolerate any more, we will live with change).

    After this poster of BJP, the Chief Minister of the state, Bhupesh Baghel, said on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), “It has been the tradition of Thakur Raman Singh and his party to abuse the backward people, tribals, Dalits.” Baghel wrote. ‘Let it go!’ It has been the tradition of Thakur Raman Singh and his party to abuse backward classes, tribals and Dalits. First he said a small man, a dog, a cat and what not… Today, after the BJP released a poster showing the backward classes as Ravana and killing them, I am continuously getting feedback from all of you.

    The Chief Minister wrote, ‘I would like to tell you to celebrate the festival of Vijayadashami happily, I am answerable to you, their misdeeds do not matter. For me, commission taking, illiteracy, malnutrition, plight of farmers, Naxalism are the form of Ravana. We all have to overcome these together, we have gradually succeeded in some tasks, we will work together again on the remaining ones. Evil will be defeated, truth will prevail. Chhattisgarhia will win once again. People have given different reactions to BJP’s poster and Chief Minister Baghel’s post.

    Elections will be held in two phases in Chhattisgarh

    Voting for the 90-member assembly in Chhattisgarh will be held in two phases on November 7 and 17. In the first phase, voting will be held in 20 assembly constituencies and in the second phase, voting will be held in 70 assembly constituencies. 223 candidates are in the fray for the first phase. The state’s main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party has so far announced candidates on 86 out of 90 seats and the ruling party Congress has announced candidates on all 90 seats. Congress is trying to retain power in the state, while BJP, which has ruled for 15 years, is hoping to return to power. The BJP has accused the state government of massive corruption in the state and promoting religious conversion. At the same time, Congress is seeking votes from the public regarding the functioning of its government.

  • Are tribals the real king makers in Chhattisgarh politics? parties trying to reach

    Assembly elections are to be held in Chhattisgarh and considering the important role of tribal voters in forming the government, the political parties of the state have started trying to woo the tribal voters in their favor. In Chhattisgarh, it is believed that it is difficult to form a government in the state without the blessings of the tribal community, which constitutes about 32 percent of the population. In the assembly elections held so far in the state, whichever party has got the support of the tribals, has come to power. BJP, which faced defeat on tribal seats in the 2018 elections, is trying to get the support of tribals in this election.

    According to election experts, the recent rallies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and party chief JP Nadda in tribal areas and the launch of the party’s two Parivartan Yatras from tribal areas can be seen as an attempt by the BJP to woo the tribals. Used to be. In the 90-member Chhattisgarh Assembly, 29 seats are reserved for the Scheduled Tribe category. In the 2018 elections, Congress had won 25 seats out of the seats reserved for the tribal class and formed the government. The party hopes that due to the government’s schemes it will once again get the support of the tribals.

    Election analyst R Krishna Das says, ‘Tribal voters play an important role in forming the government in the state. In the first elections held in Chhattisgarh in 2003 after the formation of the state in 2000, the BJP was successful in making deep inroads among the tribals who were once considered staunch supporters of the Congress. But in the next elections, BJP lost its hold on him. Das said, ‘Apart from anti-incumbency, the party faced problems in the tribal belt due to lack of coordination between top tribal leaders of the BJP and local party workers in their areas and the long-standing left-wing extremism. ‘

    During the first assembly elections held in the state in 2003, 34 seats in the 90-member House were reserved for the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category. The BJP had won 25 of these seats, defeating the Congress government led by then Chief Minister Ajit Jogi. BJP had then got 50 seats. Whereas Congress had won nine tribal seats. After delimitation the number of tribal seats in the state increased to 29. In the 2008 assembly elections, BJP won 19 out of 29 seats and once again formed the government by winning 50 seats. In this election, Congress had won 10 tribal seats.

    Later in the 2013 assembly elections, tribal votes went to the Congress and Congress won 18 out of 29 tribal seats. However, even after this Congress could not form the government. Congress’ numbers remained limited to 39 and BJP won 11 tribal seats and formed the government for the third time with 49 MLAs. In 2018, Congress registered a landslide victory by winning 68 seats in the 90-member assembly, ending the 15-year rule of the Raman Singh-led BJP government. BJP got 15 seats, JCC (J) and BSP got five and two seats respectively.

    Of the 29 ST seats in 2018, Congress won 25, BJP three and JCC (J) one. Later, Congress won two more SC reserved seats – Dantewada and Marwahi – in the by-elections. Das said that to come back to power in the state, the BJP is focusing on tribal seats and has fielded its old leaders this time. BJP has so far fielded its candidates on 86 seats, including all 29 ST seats. Six former ministers of the state are among the prominent candidates of the BJP, including one sitting MLA, two sitting Lok Sabha MPs – including one Union Minister, one former Union Minister, three former MLAs, one former IAS officer who recently left his service and joined the BJP. Have joined.

    As elections are approaching in Chhattisgarh, BJP’s star campaigners have started visiting tribal dominated areas of the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah addressed party rallies in the Bastar region this month. Meanwhile, party’s national president JP Nadda had flagged off BJP’s second Parivartan Yatra in tribal-dominated Jashpur last month. The party’s first Parivartan Yatra was taken out from tribal-dominated Dantewada district last month.

    Senior BJP leader and former minister Kedar Kashyap said, ‘Congress tried to end the reservation of tribals and recruitment in government jobs and admission in institutions remained closed for almost a year. There was a provision to give priority to tribals in recruitment in government jobs in Bastar and Surguja tribal divisions, but after 2018, Congress canceled this provision.. All these issues are being raised by BJP.

    When Kashyap was asked how many tribal seats the party could win, he said, ‘There is huge anger among the tribals against the Congress government. We will win all 12 seats of Bastar and 14 seats of Surguja division. The tribals have understood that the Congress government has betrayed them. Out of 29 seats reserved for tribals, 11 are in Bastar division and there are nine tribal reserved seats in Surguja division. Kashyap has been fielded from his traditional Narayanpur seat (ST) in Bastar division.

    On BJP raking up the issue of religious conversion in tribal areas ahead of the elections, Kashyap said, “It is a social issue and we oppose such acts… We do not see this issue as an advantage in the elections.” Are. He also alleged that conversion is increasing under the Congress government. In an interview last week, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel had expressed confidence that his government has launched many schemes for the tribals, due to which it will win more tribal seats in this election than last time.

    The ruling party Congress has announced candidates for all 90 seats. State President Deepak Baij, Ministers Kawasi Lakhma, Anila Bhediya and Mohan Markam are among the prominent tribal faces of Congress in this election. Sarva Adivasi Samaj, a prominent organization of tribal groups, has formed ‘Hamar Raj’ party which has announced 19 candidates. The party had earlier announced to field candidates on 50 seats, including all 29 seats reserved for the tribal community, but is now considering contesting on 60-70 seats.

    Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is also trying its luck for the second time in Chhattisgarh. AAP has so far released the names of candidates for 45 seats. In the 2018 assembly elections, AAP had fielded candidates on 85 out of the total 90 seats, but failed to open its account in the state. Voting will be held in the state in two phases on November 7 and 17. In the first phase, voting will be held for 20 assembly constituencies including 12 tribal seats and in the second phase for 70 seats including 17 tribal seats.

  • Ten heads and name Thugesh, BJP’s poster war on Dussehra; CM Bhupesh Baghel replied

    Chhattisgarh Assembly Election 2023 : When the main opposition party of Chhattisgarh, Bharatiya Janata Party released a poster taunting the Congress government on the occasion of Dussehra on Tuesday morning, the Chief Minister immediately hit back and said that it was the tradition of Thakur Raman Singh and his party to abuse the backward people, tribals and Dalits. Is. In the assembly elections being held in Chhattisgarh, political parties are no longer shying away from attacking each other even through festivals. On Tuesday morning of Dussehra, the state unit of BJP released a poster titled ‘This time there will be burning of Ravana of corruption’ on social media ‘X’ (formerly Twitter).

    In the poster, a cartoon has been created wearing kurta pajama which has been named ‘Thagesh’. Ten heads have been created in this cartoon and the heads have been named Transfer Scam, Jihadgarh, Coal Scam, Rice Scam, PSC Scam, Liquor Scam, Cow Dung Scam, Conversion, Murder and Rape. This alleged Ravana is holding the weapon of ‘corruption’. In the cartoon, a Chhattisgarhi wearing a saffron T-shirt is shooting fire arrows at the so-called ten-headed Ravana, saying ‘Au nahi sahibo, badal ke rahibo’ (We will not tolerate any more, we will live with change).

    After this poster of BJP, the Chief Minister of the state, Bhupesh Baghel, said on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), “It has been the tradition of Thakur Raman Singh and his party to abuse backward people, tribals, Dalits.” Baghel wrote. Is, ‘Let it go! It has been the tradition of Thakur Raman Singh and his party to abuse backward classes, tribals and Dalits. First he said a small man, a dog, a cat and what not…Today, after the BJP released a poster showing the backward class as Ravana and killing them, I am continuously getting feedback from all of you.

    The Chief Minister wrote, ‘I would like to tell you to celebrate the festival of Vijayadashami happily, I am answerable to you, their misdeeds do not matter. For me, commission taking, illiteracy, malnutrition, plight of farmers, Naxalism are the form of Ravana. We all have to overcome these together, we have gradually succeeded in some tasks, we will work together again on the remaining ones. Evil will be defeated, truth will prevail. Chhattisgarhia will win once again. People have given different reactions to BJP’s poster and Chief Minister Baghel’s post.

    Elections will be held in two phases in Chhattisgarh

    Voting for the 90-member assembly in Chhattisgarh will be held in two phases on November 7 and 17. In the first phase, voting will be held in 20 assembly constituencies and in the second phase, voting will be held in 70 assembly constituencies. 223 candidates are in the fray for the first phase. The state’s main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party has so far announced candidates on 86 out of 90 seats and the ruling party Congress has announced candidates on all 90 seats. Congress is trying to retain power in the state, while BJP, which has ruled for 15 years, is hoping to return to power. The BJP has accused the state government of massive corruption in the state and promoting religious conversion. At the same time, Congress is seeking votes from the public regarding the functioning of its government.

  • Chhattisgarh Rice Scam: Rs 175 crore rice scam in Chhattisgarh, sensational claim of ED before elections

    The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday alleged another ‘scam’ in poll-bound state Chhattisgarh. In this connection, he has claimed that a former managing director of Chhattisgarh ‘Markfed’ and an official of a local rice mill owners association collected bribe of Rs 175 crore for ‘the benefit of people holding high positions’.

    In the last few months, the ED has claimed to have exposed ‘scams’ related to coal levy, liquor duty and an illegal online gambling app. There is a Congress government in the state under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.

    ED has claimed that in all these cases, bribe amount worth crores of rupees was collected with the connivance of local leaders and bureaucrats. It has so far arrested several Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, a police officer and a few others in the above mentioned cases.

    In a statement, the ED alleged that in the latest ‘scam’ related to incentive money on the process of extracting rice from paddy, it was arrested on October 20-21 by former Markfed Managing Director Manoj Soni, State Paddy Mill Owners Association Treasurer Roshan Chandrakar and some of his associates. Similar nexus was revealed after searches against officials, District Marketing Officers (DMOs), some mill owners.

    She said her criminal action under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act is based on a complaint filed by the Income Tax Department in a court in the state capital Raipur. The tax department had alleged that officials of the Chhattisgarh Paddy Mill Owners Association colluded with officials of the State Marketing Federation Limited (Markfed) and ‘conspired’ to misuse the special incentive given to the mills on the process of extracting rice from paddy. The owners are given Rs 40 per quintal of rice by the state government. Chhattisgarh is called ‘Rice Bowl’ for its high production of rice.

    ED said that this amount of Rs 40 was significantly increased to Rs 120 per quintal and it was paid in two installments of Rs 60 each. The ED said that the officials of Chhattisgarh Rice Mill Owners Association, under the leadership of its treasurer Chandrakar, colluded with Markfed Managing Director Soni and started collecting a bribe of Rs 20 per quintal from the mill owners for extracting rice from the paddy.

    He said that the District Mill Owners Association sent the details of the mill owners who gave cash to the concerned DMO. He said that on receiving the bills of these mill owners, the DMOs would match them with the details received from the respective District Mill Owners Association and this information would be sent to the Markfed head office. He has alleged that ‘Markfed approved only the bills of those mill owners who gave cash to the association.

    The ED investigation found that Rs 500 crore was released on the basis of increasing the special allowance from Rs 40 per quintal to Rs 120 per quintal and a ‘bribe’ of Rs 175 crore was collected from it, which Chandrakar said was paid to ‘people in high positions’. ‘ Submitted with the active help of Sony for the benefit of.

    The probe agency said it seized ‘prosecutable material, digital devices and unaccounted cash worth Rs 1.06 crore’ during the raids.

    Elections for the 90-member Chhattisgarh Assembly will be held on November 7 and 17. Counting of votes will take place on December 3. The contest in the state is mainly between the ruling Congress and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party.

  • BJP’s demand from the Election Commission; Chhattisgarh’s DGP should be removed, along with another demand

    The Chhattisgarh unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party has demanded the Election Commission to remove the Director General of Police of the state, terming some incidents in the state as target killing. Apart from this, BJP has demanded transfer of Inspector General of Police of Rajnandgaon and Superintendent of Police of Mohla-Manpur. The BJP unit of Chhattisgarh has made many serious allegations against the government.

    After a memorandum to this effect was submitted to the Chief Electoral Officer of the state, MPs Santosh Pandey and Sunil Soni, former minister Ajay Chandrakar made several allegations. He told reporters that after the political and targeted killing of Mohalla-Manpur area BJP leader Birjhu Taram and other BJP workers, he demanded strict action against the killers. Along with this, after the incident, there has been a demand for deployment of Central Security Forces in sensitive and highly sensitive polling stations of Naxal affected areas in the assembly elections.

    BJP leaders said that with the announcement of assembly elections in Chhattisgarh, incidents of political target killing are being carried out with the aim of scaring the voters. BJP leaders said that on October 20, BJP leader Birjhu Taram was brutally shot dead in Naxal-affected area Mohla-Manpur. He said that even before the announcement of elections, many such criminal incidents have been stopped with the aim of creating an atmosphere of terror in the state.

    Former minister Shri Chandrakar has accused Congress’s Bhupesh government of fearing target killing of BJP workers under police protection in the upcoming assembly elections. He said that in the coming elections, there may be more targeting and betel nut killings of BJP workers under the protection of police. He said that the people of Congress are bent on spoiling the atmosphere by spreading violence during elections by providing protection to power through strongmen. He alleged that target killing and spreading terror through politics of violence has been the permanent character of Congress.

  • Chhattisgarh: 223 leaders will contest in the first phase, how many leaders left the field?

    223 candidates are in the fray for the first phase of Chhattisgarh assembly elections. Officials said on Monday that after the withdrawal of nominations in 20 assembly constituencies of the first phase of Chhattisgarh assembly elections, now 223 candidates will go among the voters. He said that today on the last day of withdrawal of nominations for the first phase, a total of 30 candidates withdrew their names.

    Officials said that maximum six candidates have withdrawn their names from Rajnandgaon assembly constituency. After sorting of nomination papers in the first phase assembly constituencies, nominations of a total of 253 candidates were found valid. A total of 294 candidates had filed nominations till October 20, the last day of nomination in the first phase.

    Officials said that 13 from Antagarh assembly constituency, 14 from Bhanupratappur, nine from Kanker, 10 from Keshkal, eight from Kondagaon, nine from Narayanpur, eight from Bastar, 11 from Jagdalpur, seven from Chitrakot, seven from Dantewada, eight from Bijapur, Eight candidates will contest from Konta, 11 from Khairagarh, 10 from Dongargarh, 29 from Rajnandgaon, 12 from Dongargaon, 10 from Khujji, nine from Mohla-Manpur, 16 from Kawardha and 14 from Pandariya.

    Voting for the 90-member assembly in Chhattisgarh is to be held on November 7 and 17. Voting will be held for 20 assembly seats in the first phase and 70 assembly seats in the second phase.

  • Farmers’ loans will be waived off if Congress forms government, CM Baghel’s big promise before elections

    Before the assembly elections in Chhattisgarh, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has made a big announcement. Baghel announced that if Congress comes to power in the state, the loans of farmers will be waived off. CM Baghel posted on the social media platform ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) and said that as soon as Congress comes to power, like before, this time too we will waive off the loans of farmers.

    While promising loan waiver, Baghel said in the meeting that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has not yet made a single announcement for farmers, laborers, youth and women. During this, CM Baghel also reminded the promise of caste census made by Rahul Gandhi. Reminding Priyanka Gandhi’s promises, Baghel said that poor people will be given houses. We have said that whether the central government gives our share or not, Chhattisgarh government will build houses for the poor.

    Baghel said that we have already announced that we will buy 20 quintals per acre of paddy from the farmers. A lot of guarantees still have to be given. I have come in Shakti, worshipers of Shakti are sitting here. Sakti aims to empower the farmer. He said that I am announcing through the platform that like farmers’ loans were waived off in the past, form the government again and farmers’ loans will be waived off.

    This announcement of the Chief Minister is being considered important before the assembly elections in the state. Even before the 2018 elections in the state, Congress had promised to waive off loans as soon as the government is formed. It is believed that only after this announcement of Congress, the party got the support of the farmers and returned to power in the state after 15 years.

    Voting will be held in the state in two phases on November 7 and 17. The two big political parties of the state, Congress and BJP, have not yet released the manifesto. Congress formed the government in the 2018 assembly elections by winning 68 out of 90 seats. BJP was reduced to 15 seats. JCC (J) had got five seats and BSP two seats in the state. At present Congress has 71 MLAs.

  • AAP releases fourth list in Chhattisgarh, announces candidates for 12 seats; From whom and where did you take it down?

    Chhattisgarh Polls: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has released its fourth list of 12 candidates for next month’s Chhattisgarh Assembly elections. With this, the Arvind Kejriwal-led party has so far fielded 45 candidates for the elections in the Congress-ruled state. Elections in the state will be held in two phases on November 7 and 17.

    Of the 12 seats for which AAP has fielded candidates in the fourth list, six are reserved for Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates and one for Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates. AAP tried its luck for the first time in the 2018 assembly elections in Chhattisgarh and fielded candidates on 85 out of the total 90 seats, but failed to open its account in the state.

    The candidates declared in the fourth list are – Dev Ganesh Tekam (Samari-ST), Alexander (Lundra-ST), Munna Toppo (Sitapur-ST), Prakash Toppo (Jashpur-ST), Gopal Bapudia (Raigarh), Sobram Singh Saima (Pali -Tanakhar-ST), Parmeshwar Prasad Sandey (Janjgir-Champa), Neelam Dhruv (Khallari), Santosh Yadu (Baloda Bazar), Vijay Gurubaxani (Raipur North), Parmanand Jangde (Arang-SC) and Bhagirathi Manjhi (Bindar Navagarh-) Scheduled. Tribe).

    Congress registered a landslide victory in the 2018 elections by securing 68 seats and comfortably formed the government. BJP was reduced to 15 seats, while JCC(J) and BSP got 5 and 2 seats respectively. The current strength of Congress in the state assembly is 71. This time, AAP is trying to make inroads in the state as the JCC(J) has been almost marginalized after the death of Ajit Jogi in 2020. At the same time, BSP will contest the elections in alliance with Gondwana Gantantra Party (GGP).

    The ruling Congress has announced its candidates for all 90 seats, while the opposition BJP has announced its candidates for 86 seats.

  • Chhattisgarh Congress Candidate List: Congress released the third list in Chhattisgarh; Who was given the ticket and from where?

    Chhattisgarh Election 2023: Congress has released the third list regarding Chhattisgarh. Congress has announced the names of seven candidates in this list. On October 18, Congress had announced the second list of candidates. 53 names were announced in that list. In the third list released by Congress, ticket has been given to Ambika Singh Dev from Baikunthpur, Chaturinand from Saraipali and Rashmi Chandrakar from Mahasamund assembly seat. Apart from this, Congress has given ticket to Sandeep Sahu from Kasdol Assembly seat and Kuldeep Juneja from Raipur North Assembly seat in the third list. Congress has fielded Ambika Markam from Sihawa assembly seat and Omkar Sahu from Dhamtari.

    On October 18, Congress had released the second list for Chhattisgarh assembly elections. Congress had announced the names of 53 candidates in that list. In the list, Congress has again given ticket to Arun Vora, son of former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Motilal Vora, from Durg City. In the second list of Congress, former Rajya Sabha MP Chhaya Verma was given ticket from Dharsiwa assembly seat. Along with this, Congress had fielded Mahant Ramsundar Das from Raipur South.

    Congress had announced the names of thirty candidates in the first list. Congress party announced the names of 53 candidates in the second list. On Sunday, the party also announced the names of 7 other candidates. Along with this, Congress has announced candidates for all the seats in the state. In the first list for Chhattisgarh, Congress had announced the names of present Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and TS Singhdev. Congress has once again fielded Baghel from Patan seat. Congress has given ticket to TS Sihandev from Ambikapur seat of the state.

    Recently, the Election Commission had announced the schedule of assembly elections of five states as well as Chhattisgarh. During this, the Election Commission had told that voting will be conducted in two phases in Chhattisgarh. The first phase of voting will be held on November 7, while the second phase of voting will be held with Madhya Pradesh on November 17. The election results of all these states will be announced on December 3.

  • Congress MLA in Chhattisgarh expressed his desire to contest elections from BJP, put a condition

    Chhattisgarh Election 2023:Congress canceled the ticket of its sitting MLA Chintamani Maharaj from Balrampur, Chhattisgarh. Congress has given ticket to Vijay Paikra from this seat. After being denied ticket from Congress, Chintamani has expressed his desire to contest elections from BJP. Maharaj has put a condition for this. Maharaj said that he would like to contest the elections if BJP gives him a ticket from Ambikapur against TS Singhdev. Along with this, Maharaj has claimed that Congress is ready to give him Lok Sabha ticket in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

    Maharaj is currently the MLA from Samari seat in Balrampur district. This time Congress has canceled his ticket. Congress has fielded Vijay Paikra from this seat, while Balrampur District Panchayat member Udeshwari Paikra is the BJP candidate. On the sidelines of the religious programme, Aggarwal and Sai were seen discussing with the Maharaj.

    What is the condition?

    Talking to reporters after the program, Maharaj said that BJP is ready to field him in the Lok Sabha elections in 2024 but he has put a condition of contesting the assembly elections from Ambikapur next month. He said that BJP leaders had come to attend the program during which the 31-feet tall statue of Maa Kali was unveiled. Maharaj said that they (BJP leaders) also said that it would be good if I join them. I have placed a condition that if they agree to field me from Ambikapur, I will consider (joining BJP). However, he said that those who are preparing from Ambikapur seat (from BJP) will get upset. They are ready to field me in the Lok Sabha elections.

    Maharaj claimed that he has told BJP leaders that he will vacate the Ambikapur seat after six months and contest the Lok Sabha elections. He said that those (BJP leaders) who want to contest elections now, can be fielded from there (if by-elections are held). If they are ready to accept this condition then I will also consider (joining BJP). The BJP has not yet announced a candidate for the Ambikapur seat, which is currently represented by senior Congress leader T S Singh Deo. He has been made a candidate again from this seat.

    Voting for the ninety-member Chhattisgarh Assembly will be held in two phases on November 7 and 17. Samri and Ambikapur are among the 70 seats that will go to polls in the second phase. Counting of votes will take place on December 3. Maharaj is the son of prominent social worker late Sant Rameshwar Gahira Guru, who had considerable influence in northern Chhattisgarh, especially for his work among the tribals. When asked about the discussion with Maharaj, Brijmohan Aggarwal said that whatever happened to Chintamani Maharaj ji is injustice to him. He is sad (indirectly after the ticket cancellation) and we have come to share his pain. Asked who would do justice, the BJP leader said that since Maharaj is in the Congress, it will do justice to him. Aggarwal avoided reporters’ questions regarding the pre-conditions put by Maharaj for joining the BJP.