FORMER Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel criticised the BJP Government in Chhattisgarh over the alleged gang-rape of a 23-year-old woman in the State capital, accusing it of completely failing to maintain law and order. Speaking to reporters at Swami Vivekananda Airport after returning from New Delhi, Baghel claimed that six murders were being reported every week in the State and that incidents of gangrape had even been reported from the capital. He also criticised the State Home Minister, alleging that the minister was focusing on panchayats instead of law and order.

 

Baghel claimed that villagers were now being asked to pay taxes and that money was being recovered from beneficiaries of the Rs 1,000 assistance scheme. He further alleged that fees were being charged at Swami Atmanand schools. Taking a dig at the BJP’s proposed ‘Tiranga Yatra’, Baghel said, “The Tricolour was not hoisted at the RSS office for 52 years, yet the BJP is now organising a ‘Tiranga Yatra’ in Chhattisgarh. The BJP acts contrary to what it preaches.” He added, “The BJP had promised not to let the country be sold off, but today the nation is being sold. This is pseudo-nationalism. They chant the name of Ram while eyeing others’ assets- and now they are not even sparing assets belonging to Ram.”