Day after PM alleges corruption in Chhattisgarh, CM Baghel questions BJP alliance with NCP faction

Speaking to reporters at Raipur Airport, Baghel responded: “Yesterday the issue of corruption was raised loudly and zero tolerance was talked about (by PM Modi). Even in Madhya Pradesh, the Prime Minister beating his chest said he will not spare even a single corrupt person and we were believing no corrupt person will be left in the country. But eight days later, the people against whom corruption charges were made (by BJP and central agencies) in Maharashtra became ministers, whether its Ajit Pawar, Chhagan Bhujbal and Hasan Mushrif. The corrupt have been washed with gangajal and have become ministers. So, when he (Modi) says he will not leave any corrupt people, he means he does not want to see any corrupt people outside BJP. Why not action taken against scams during Raman Singh’s rule? The NAN scam, the chit fund scam where poor people lost their money, the Panama papers leak.”

Baghel named several leaders facing alleged corruption charges in Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra who, over the past few years, left their parties to join the BJP or struck up an alliance with the BJP.

Baghel said he tried to seek support from PM Modi for development work in Chhattisgarh but got no help. “(Modi) He did not give a single penny to Chhattisgarh. Just gave a political speech and left.”

The CM also spoke about the alleged liquor scam and other scam alleged by PM Modi. “They said a sand scam has occurred here. During Raman Singh’s rule, the royalty amount collected (for sand) was Rs 10 crore, now it is Rs 100 crore. They talk about liquor scam… during their rule in 2017 the liquor revenue was Rs 3,900 crore and today it’s Rs 6,500 crore. And if they talk about a scam, they say the hologram was changed. Where is the hologram attached? In a factory, right? Then why no action on distillers? Did they do any ‘setting’ with distillers? Who will profit the most? Distillers!”

Baghel added: “We have served notice to three distillers. We will not allow any misappropriation and recover every single penny. Excise department has served notice to three distillers asking them to give an explanation. We have asked distillers if they messed with the hologram or have stocked liquor in a warehouse without attaching hologram or without paying taxes. Appropriate action will be taken.”
Baghel also criticised the policies of the Central government related to coal production and said it will lead to huge losses. Baghel said: “Due to their policies, the country is facing a shortage of coal and coal is getting imported. The passenger trains got cancelled because of their policies and they allege a 10 lakh crores scam took place, but did anyone get caught for it? Today they are trying to auction coal mines but they are not getting any buyers. This year Chhattisgarh will face Rs 9 lakh crore losses because of their policies.”