Dictatorship will be defeated in 2024, says Bhupesh Baghel

In a strong attack on the Modi government, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said on Thursday that “dictatorship” will be surely defeated in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The people of the country are very intelligent and they will soon respond to the dictatorial attitude in the country, the Congress veteran told the media to mark the completion of two-and-a-half years of his government.

The results will be seen in 2024, he said, referring to the year when the next parliamentary battle is scheduled. “Dictatorship will surely be defeated,” he said.

He added that now if someone raises his voice against the “dictatorship”, all investigating agencies start investigations against that person.

The Chief Minister spoke glowingly about his own government’s achievements.

Speaking to hundreds of people on social media app Clubhouse, he fielded a series of questions by senior journalists on the Naxalite problem in Chhattisgarh, development in the state and the political scenario in the country.

He said so far development works of Rs 5,220 crores have been initiated in 18 districts of the state through virtual programmes.

He said Chhattisgarh is the only state to buy cow dung from cattle rearers and turn it into vermi-compost.

Baghel emphasised that the Chhattisgarh government strengthened the rural economy during the pandemic and it was supporting the poor through schemes such as Nyay Yojana, MGNREGA and Godhan Nyay Yojana.

On the toolkit issue that has led to a FIR against BJP leaders including former Chief Minister Raman Singh, he said “truth cannot be curtailed” and action will be taken after investigation.

He said those against whom a FIR has been registered are unable to answer the charges. They have gone to the court as they know they will be in trouble if they say something. They got a stay on technical grounds.

“Very soon investigation will be conducted and action will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation.”

The Chief Minister asserted that there was no sign of economic slowdown in Chhattisgarh despite the pandemic.