Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai: ‘Chhattisgarh will succeed in eliminating Naxalism by 2026… Earlier, Naxals would say ‘this is our government’

The trends in Haryana favour the BJP. Initially, the trends were in favour of the Congress, but now that some time has passed, they are in favour of the BJP. The work that the party has done there, along with Modiji’s ‘Guarantee’, has had an impact. I fully believe that the BJP will secure a clear majority in Haryana. In Jammu & Kashmir, too, the work that has been done under Modiji’s period of governance — like the abrogation of Article 370, and historic decisions like the Triple Talaq Bill — has had an effect. The BJP is getting a good number of seats there, and all-in-all we can say that the entire country’s belief in the party and our country’s PM has increased.

VIKAS PATHAK: During the Lok Sabha elections, exit polls predicted a clear majority. Though the BJP did well in central India, there was a dent in north and west India. What went wrong in the Lok Sabha elections that the BJP couldn’t secure a clear majority?

In middle/central India, which has states like Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Rajasthan, the BJP attained a lot of success, but in the northern states, BJP’s success did not meet expectations. Here, we feel that the people were misled by rumours that were spread regarding reservations and the Constitution, and they distanced themselves from the BJP in some places.

Vikas Pathak: In your government, there is a lot of discussion about the killing of Maoists. A few days ago, 31 Maoists were gunned down in a day. You were here for a meeting where Home Minister Amit Shah was present, and he has said that by 2026, Maoism will vanish. How did you come to devise such an aggressive strategy? Could you tell us something about this recent encounter, how was it made possible?

We formed the government about nine months ago, and since then, we have been fortunate that the Home Minister has visited Chhattisgarh twice regarding the Naxal problem. He’s been there for election campaigns several times. But he came there twice for the Naxal problem itself, which greatly improved our morale and the morale of our security forces. We also benefited from the ‘double-engine’ government. Together, we’re strongly fighting against Naxalism. In just nine months, 193 Naxals have been killed, of which 31 were killed in a single encounter. Our soldiers have accomplished this with much bravery for which we salute them and congratulate them. We’re also making efforts to repeatedly request that they abandon the language of bullets, join the mainstream of development, and surrender, so the government can ensure justice for them. This has also had an impact. The numbers of those who are surrendering is also increasing. Arrests are also being made. All-in-all, we’re doing very well in our fight against Naxalism. The skirmish that took place two-three days ago in which 31 Naxals were killed, was quite meticulously planned by our local DRG and STF soldiers. We feel that due the manner in which we are fighting Naxalism, Chhattisgarh will succeed in completing the Home Minister’s vision of eliminating Naxalism from Bharat by 2026.

On Fighting Naxalism | We’re doing very well in our fight against Naxalism. In just nine months, 193 Naxals have been killed, of which 31 were killed in a single encounter. Our soldiers have accomplished this with much bravery

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Vikas Pathak: Regarding the problem of Naxalism in Chhattisgarh, especially in Bastar, for years it was found that Maoists were strong among the tribal youth. You said that the struggle is on one side, but there is also rehabilitation on the other. Since your state has a large tribal population, what is the strategy for rehabilitating Maoism-influenced youth once they surrender?

In Chhattisgarh, 32 per cent of the population is tribal. It has two divisions: Bastar Division and Surguja Division. The Bastar Division is affected by Naxalism, especially five districts: Sukwar, Dantewada, Bijapur, Narayanpur and a part of Kanker. We have focussed on Bastar and Surguja in our budget, making special provisions. For Naxalism-affected regions, we have implemented the Niyad Nellanar scheme, which translates to ‘your good village’ in the local language. Under this scheme, we’re continuously opening security camps. Till now, we’ve opened 34 security camps. Every camp ensures that the government’s schemes reach all the villages that fall within a five kilometre radius of the camp in a prioritised manner. Almost 96 villages have been covered within these 34 camps. Roads, electricity, water, mobile towers, ration card, Aadhaar card, and other government schemes are being delivered to these villages by the government on priority basis. The people are benefitting from them and wish to join mainstream development. Earlier, no one would even go to these areas. The forest is quite dense, with no roads. Only Naxals used to rule that place. People didn’t know the world outside, so they followed whatever line the Naxals used to preach there. But now our government is continually reaching them. Since we have the Niyad Nellanar scheme, we’re providing the villages with roads, electricity, water and many other services. We’re also taking them out of there on trips to places like Raipur. For the first time, more than 55 Naxal-affected people had come to Delhi. They conveyed their grievances to the President and the Home Minister. They went to JNU as well, and talked about what the Naxals have subjected them to. From my understanding, this is the first time in this period that Naxal-affected people have got to express themselves. Otherwise, when a civilian would get killed during a skirmish, there was a lot of lament. However, no one used to address the innocent people who suffered due to Naxalism and lost their limbs or their eyes. So this has happened for the first time.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai (right) in conversation with Vikas Pathak, Deputy Associate Editor, The Indian Express in an Idea Exchange held on the day of Haryana Results 2024. (Express photo by Tashi Tobgyal)

Vikas Pathak: You mentioned schemes that have been undertaken to reach villages under Naxal influence. Could you specify three-four such schemes that have been implemented in the last eight-nine months and can be credited to you?

The Niyad Nellanar scheme which has been implemented for the first time, through which all government schemes are being delivered to them. We’re making roads, providing electricity and water, opening schools and hospitals. They’re witnessing development and gaining trust in the government, who they believe, can provide them with justice. We’re also taking good care of those who are surrendering, trying to ensure they get benefits of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna. For that, we’ve separately requested for 15,000 Pradhan Mantri Awas packages. Just three-four days ago, we provided jobs for 70 people from Naxal-affected families. Facilities like ration, electricity and water are reaching them. So a trust has emerged regarding the government, that this government can do well for us.

On Haryana elections | The work that the BJP has done there in the last few years, along with Modiji’s Guarantee, has had an impact. We are going to form a government for the third time there. Modiji’s effect can be seen in it

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Deeptiman Tiwary: Ever since you have come into the government, you’ve carried out numerous successful encounters. Whether it be the DRG or the STF, what’s notable is that most of these have been done by the Chhattisgarh Police. Earlier, the encounters were led by the likes of CRPF and your people would accompany them. Now, many operations are carroied out by the police alone without the help of CRPF. Chhattisgarh Police leading all such operations — is this a conscious decision? Is there a reason that security forces from the Centre are being kept out of these operations?

The DRG and STF are the local people of that region. Locals have a geographical knowledge of the place, and also understand the language there. That is benefitting us in these encounters. And no, they’re not being kept out. They are also present, but since the DRG and the STF are locals, they can lead better.

Deeptiman Tiwary: Raman Singh’s government often suffered multiple setbacks. The forces would enter the forest and our soldiers would get killed. What change has your government brought about in the strategy, where instead of suffering setbacks, you are successfully defeating them?

As for Dr Raman Singh’s government, he was the Chief Minister for 15 years, and he fought with a lot of strength. Our government has been fighting with even more strength for the past nine months. This is because of the ‘double-engine’ government. The Home Minister has himself visited twice and raised our morale as well as of our security forces. The last government of the Congress had no will power. They never made up their minds to fight the Naxals. Instead, we used to hear that the Naxals would say, ‘This is our government’. All this has made a difference.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai. (Express photo by Tashi Tobgyal)

Deeptiman Tiwary: Are conversions by Christian missionaries in Chhattisgarh a problem in your state? What are you doing to address it?

It, indeed, is a big problem. Our country is secular and there is no problem if one chooses to follow a religion. However, in tribal areas, earlier, where there used to be no education, a lot of poverty and starvation, so religious conversion used to happen. We strongly oppose that. There’s a big church in Jashpur district, where I come from. Here, the money that comes in the guise of education is misused for religious conversion. We are not against religion. But we are against taking advantage of needy people and insisting that they convert to Christianity in exchange for their services.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai (right) in conversation with Vikas Pathak, Deputy Associate Editor, The Indian Express in an Idea Exchange held on the day of Haryana Results 2024. (Express photo by Tashi Tobgyal)

Liz Mathew: Since 2014, the BJP has used PM Modi as a poll plank. However, the party workers say that Haryana elections were not fought on the Modi card and that the work put in by the Sangh was not as much.

In Haryana, we are going to form a government for the third time and Modi ji’s effect can be seen in it. Simultaneously, former CM Manohar Lal Khattar had also developed the state. Today, no state can say that they haven’t benefited from the Centre’s favour. They get the benefits of the government of India’s schemes and programmes. For example, in the PM Awas Yojna, there’s a 60:40 ratio — 60 per cent comes from Central funds and 40 per cent from the state. There’s PM Ujjwala Yojana, Jan-Dhan Yojana and Ayushman Yojna, which are all the Central government’s programmes. They all benefit the states. Therefore, you cannot say that PM Modi does not have a role to play in the win. Even states have their own programmes. For example, in Chhattisgarh, we are running the Mahtari Vandan Scheme, under which more than 70 lakh women get Rs 1,000 every month. The Sangh comprises nationalists who work for the country. Their workers reach whenever there is any catastrophe in any part of the country.

On BJP’s setback in Lok Sabha Elections | In the northern states, we feel that people were misled by rumours regarding reservations and the Constitution.
So they distanced themselves from the BJP

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Liz Mathew: After the Lok Sabha elections, people said that the BJP lost the SC vote in some states, which was with the BJP since 2014. A Haryana leader, after the win, said that the Dalit vote has returned to the BJP. Did this help the BJP win?

Not just the SC vote but everyone’s support is with the BJP. Our motto is sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas, sabka prayaas. So everyone’s trust is in us.

Vikas Pathak: Do you think that after Hemant Soren’s arrest, there was a negative impact on the adivasi community?

I had gone to Jharkhand to campaign. I have an attachment to that state. My mother is from Jharkhand. The people of Jharkhand were misled on subjects of the Constitution and reservations, which is why this happened. Soren didn’t go to jail because he’s an adivasi. He went to jail because of his actions.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai. (Express photo by Tashi Tobgyal)

Vikas Pathak: Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that Bangladeshi illegal immigrants are invading Jharkhand and that if the BJP wins there, it will implement the National Register of Citizens. During the Chhattisgarh Assembly elections, in the Kawardha seat of Deputy CM Vijay Sharma, similar claims were being made about Rohingya refugees. The Opposition says that the BJP misleads from real issues. What are your views? Do you really think there is a demographic change and threat in Chhattisgarh?

When we heard the claim made in the Kawardha seat, we verified them. We found that several votes were being cast by people coming from a single house, which is impossible. Mohammad Akbar was the MLA from there and he was a minister for five years. In five years, several Muslim shrines were made and several Muslim voters cropped up. When we verified, we found that the voters’ addresses were not legitimate. Previous governments did this thing.

Asad Rahman: Don’t you think the BJP’s core leadership should have dispelled the misinformation regarding the Constitution and reservation?

PM Modi had said that until the BJP is in power, reservation will not end and there is no danger to the Constitution. We probably couldn’t spread the word in UP. The Opposition had fed the people that if the BJP came to power, the Constitution would be destroyed. We could not counter this.

Shahid Pervez: The Opposition has been demanding a national caste census and raising 50 per cent reservation ceiling for SCs, STs and OBCs. What are your views ?

A 50 per cent cap on reservation is the Supreme Court’s order. Some states have gone beyond this ceiling but the court has the last word. In Chhattisgarh, too, the ceiling was increased by the last government but has now been reduced to 50 per cent.

Vikas Pathak: What are your key initiatives for education and employment?

We have enforced the new National Education Policy, 2020, which has employment connected with the degree. We have started several industrial training institutes (ITIs). When Raman Singh was the CM for 15 years, he opened several ITIs and livelihood colleges. All the companies that are coming to the state have been asked to skill people. The government is focussing a lot on skills. We, too, understand that not everyone can be given a government job. But we can link them with employment opportunities. There are a lot of Central schemes for employment like the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana, Swanidhi Yojana and Vishwakarma Yojana.

Rishika Singh: What is your government doing to tackle the challenges of facilitating growth and fighting climate change?

Chhattisgarh is blessed with a lot of resources — iron ore, coal, diamond and gold. Climate change is a global issue. We are also working to combat it, primarily by focussing on solar energy. Chhattisgarh’s green cover is 44 per cent of the state’s total area. We are also working to harness hydel energy. Under the PM’s Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam Campaign, we have planted four crore trees.

Rishika Singh: Apart from mining and other sectors, is there an effort to create more avenues for employment?

Definitely. We want to provide employment to the youth there.