First list of Cong is a charge sheet: Saroj

 

 

 

Saroj Pandey, the National Vice-President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha, reacted to the first list of candidates released by the Congress party for the Chhattisgarh Assembly elections, saying that the list is persons charge-sheeted and it includes individuals accused of various criminal activities. Saroj Pandey, during a press conference held at the BJP office, emphasized that the Congress lacks confidence in its current Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and parliamentary secretaries. The party has retained faith in its ministers because they have been instrumental in running the political machinery in Chhattisgarh. In contrast, the Congress has denied ticket to eight MLAs, including a parliamentary secretary and reallocation of one minister’s seat. A vocal government critic Mamta Chandrakar, for example, had her ticket revoked for the Pandariya Assembly seat. Pandey stated this list suggests that the primary criterion for becoming a Congress candidate is involvement in criminal activities.

 

Despite the promises of maximum representation to women, Congress dropped Chhanni Sahu, who had been vocal in opposing her own government’s actions. Saroj Pandey also highlighted that Bhupesh Baghel sacrificed his friend Girish Dewangan by granting him a ticket from Rajnandgaon. Bhupesh Baghel himself faces allegations of demanding a ransom, and a case has been registered against him for violating COVID-19 pandemic rules during the campaign of Congress candidate Pankhuri Pathak in Noida. Moreover, Saroj Pandey pointed out that Congress candidates like Jaisingh Agrawal have multiple cases related to revenue and land, for which they are on bail. Amarjeet Bhagat has faced opposition in relation to the proposed Saranga Alumina Plant. There are allegations of land acquisition irregularities involving Bhagat’s son and allegations of an irresponsible statement regarding the Biranpur violence. Additionally, cases have been registered against 23 individuals, including Bhagat’s former personal assistant, for fraudulently transferring 130 acres of government land in Bhatauli development block, Surguja district.