Latest news with #ChhattisgarhPradeshCongressCommittee
The Hindu
12 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Congress to stage ‘economic blockade' to protest Chaitanya Baghel's arrest
Throwing its weight behind former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee on Saturday (July 19, 2025) announced a Statewide 'economic blockade' to protest against the arrest of Mr. Baghel's son Chaitanya Baghel by the Directorate of Enforcement. Mr. Chaitanya, 38, was arrested on Friday by the central agency in connection with the alleged liquor scam in the State. Calling the arrest a conspiracy to pressurise the Congress leadership in the State and allow the loot of its mineral resources, Chhattisgarh Congress chief Deepak Baij said that the 'economic blockade' would be enforced on July 22. 'Against this [Mr. Chaitanya's arrest], the Congress has decided to enforce an economic blockade at the divisional level and across the State and we will block all the major roads for the blockade, and we won't let the mineral resources of Chhattisgarh to be looted away. The Congress party is ready to fight for the rights of the people at every level,' he said. Mr. Baghel likened his son's arrest to those of other Congress leaders MLA Devendra Yadav – who is facing charges in an arson case in which a Superintendent of Police office was set ablaze – and jailed ex-Minister Kawasi Lakhma, an accused in the liquor scam. He said the arrest was a conspiracy to finish the Congress leadership and facilitate the handover of the State's natural resources to the Adani Group. He said that his son was not a politician and stayed away from public forums. Earlier in the day, senior Congress leader and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of 'dedicating' the forests of Chhattisgarh to Mr. Adani. 'The BJP government has dedicated all the forests of Chhattisgarh to Adani ji. The forests are being destroyed, blatantly violating the PESA law and NGT directives. Former Chief Minister Shri Bhupesh Baghel ji was about to raise this issue in the assembly. To stop him, the ED raided his house early in the morning and arrested his son,' she wrote on X. 'Over the past 11 years, the country has clearly understood that these are tactics to suppress the voice of the people and oppress the opposition. But it is impossible to suppress the truth or intimidate the opposition with such tactics. Every single Congress worker stands firmly with Baghel ji,' she added. The ED has alleged that Mr. Chaitanya was a beneficiary in the liquor scam money laundering case and had dealt with proceeds of crime amounting to ₹1,000 crore besides receiving ₹16.70 crore.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Mallikarjun Kharge reviews Congress plans in Chhattisgarh; focus on tribal rights, deforestation, and party strengthening
RAIPUR: Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge chaired two key meetings with the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee in Raipur to review organisational work and outline a four-month action plan. The discussions focused on alleged misuse of state and central agencies, exploitation of mineral resources, displacement of tribal communities, farmers' issues, school closures, and internal reorganisation. The party plans to finalise appointments at all levels by September 30 and launch a public agitation against deforestation in Tamnar. Kharge held important meetings in Raipur on Monday evening, following a mega 'Kisan, Jawan, Samvidhan' rally. The first was with the State Political Affairs Committee, followed by an extended meeting of the Pradesh Congress Executive. The meetings reviewed the work and agitations undertaken by the state Congress and outlined a roadmap for the party's programmes over the next four months. The party aims to complete all appointments at the district, block, and mandal levels by September 30. Key agenda items included the alleged misuse of state and central agencies to falsely implicate and imprison Congress leaders, and the exploitation of mineral resources in Bastar (iron ore), Hasdeo Arand in the Surguja division, and Tamnar in Raigarh district, which has led to deforestation and the displacement of tribal communities. The party alleged that the BJP-led state government was favouring select industrialists. Other issues discussed included farmers' discontent due to the government's failure to provide adequate fertilisers and seeds, and the closure of 10,463 schools under the rationalisation policy. The reorganisation of certain organisational districts and blocks under the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee, taking into account population size and geographical area, was also discussed. A delegation of people affected by deforestation in Tamnar met with Congress national general secretary K.C. Venugopal and apprised him of the situation. The Pradesh Congress stated it would launch a public agitation on this issue.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Kisan, Jawan, Samvidhan' rally on July 7 to raise voice of farmers
Raipur: Congress will organise a "Kisan, Jawan, Samvidhan" (Farmer, Soldier, Constitution) rally in Chhattisgarh on July 7. Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge and General Secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal will address the gathering. Govt Nagarjuna Post Graduate College of Science ground in Raipur will host the rally. Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee President Deepak Baij stated that the rally aims to raise the voice of farmers and soldiers across the country, including Chhattisgarh. It will also highlight the alleged attacks by the central govt on the Constitution and the autonomy of constitutional institutions. Over 25,000 people from across the state are expected to attend the event. Baij stated that the state govt's decision to provide incentives to farmers for cultivating pulses and oilseeds during the Kharif season is a "new betrayal". He said paddy cultivation is the most profitable for farmers in Kharif, considering Chhattisgarh's climate. Baij alleged that the Sai govt is unable to provide seeds and fertilisers for the Kharif crop and is therefore offering incentives to discourage paddy cultivation, so it does not have to purchase paddy at Rs 3,100 per quintal. Baij added that farmers across the state have started sowing, but the govt has failed to ensure an adequate supply of fertilisers and seeds. Farmers are facing a shortage of DAP in most cooperative societies, and seeds for sowing and transplantation are also unavailable in many places, causing distress to farmers. He claimed that the Chief minister's review meetings on fertiliser availability are merely for media consumption, as 90 per cent of societies still lack DAP.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Baij serves legal notice to Netam, BJP leaders over conversion remark
RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee president Deepak Baij has issued legal notices to former Union Minister Arvind Netam, Chhattisgarh Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap, and BJP's Bastar MP Mahesh Kashyap, seeking clarification within 15 days regarding their recent remarks about Baij's alleged religious conversion. Sushil Anand Shukla, head of the Chhattisgarh Congress Communication Department, confirmed the development. The controversy arises from a press conference held in Raipur on June 7, during which Arvind Netam—who had recently attended an RSS event in Nagpur—reportedly questioned Baij's religious identity. Netam said, 'I want to ask Baij whether he has converted to Christianity. I suspect this when he speaks such things. I would also like to ask what the Congress policy is regarding religious conversion.' Baij considers this statement misleading and damaging to his public image. The legal notice , sent through Baij's counsel Sandeep Dubey, asserts that Netam's remark—'Main Deepak Baij se ek hi baat jaanna chahta hoon, kahin woh convert toh nahin hue hain, Isai dharm mein matantaran toh nahin hua hai' (I only want to know one thing from Deepak Baij—has he converted to Christianity?)—has defamed Baij and hurt his religious sentiments. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Keep Your Home Efficient with This Plug-In elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Learn More Undo The notice further alleges that the statement is fabricated. In the legal notice, Baij, a former Bastar MP, reaffirms his deep faith in Budhadev, Mahadev, Maa Danteshwari, and all Hindu gods and goddesses. The notice states that Netam's comment constitutes a criminal offence under Sections 353 and 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Section 353 deals with 'statements conducing to public mischief,' and Section 356 pertains to 'defamation.' Similar legal notices have also been issued to Kedar Kashyap and Mahesh Kashyap under the same provisions. According to the notice, Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap had accused Baij of sheltering religious conversions in Bastar. Likewise, Mahesh Kashyap had reportedly emphasised the anti-conversion narrative in Bastar, indirectly challenging Baij's stance on religious freedom and conversion in tribal communities. Baij has demanded a public apology from all three leaders. The notice warns that if no response is received within 15 days, a criminal case will be filed, and further legal action will be pursued.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
State Cong's 40-km ‘padyatra' to protest ‘unjust privatisation' of Bastar's resources
Raipur: The Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee will organise a 40-km 'Nyay Padyatra' from Kirandul to Dantewada from May 26 to 29, to protest against the alleged unjust privatisation of state's water, forests, land, and mineral resources. The march, led by Pradesh Congress president Deepak Baij, will culminate in a gherao of the Dantewada Collectorate on the final day. The Congress said that since the BJP govt came to power, Chhattisgarh's resources are being handed over to private entities, with several cases of illegal mining surfacing. The party fears more such incidents in the future and is organising the padyatra to highlight these concerns. Pradesh Congress president Deepak Baij said the Vishnu Deo Sai govt has again turned Chhattisgarh into a 'fodder ground for corporate houses'. He alleged that four major iron ore mines in Bastar have been leased to private capitalists. Of these, the Bailadila 1A and Bailadila 1B mines have been leased to ArcelorMittal for 50 years, while the Bailadila 1C mine has been given to Rungta Steel for the same period. Additionally, the Hahaladi mine in Kanker district has been leased to Sagar Stone for 50 years. Baij further claimed that this is just the beginning, and preparations are underway to hand over all of Bastar's valuable mineral wealth to the Adani Group, with a 'red carpet' being laid out for them in Bastar.
