Raipur
Chhattisgarh Forest Minister Kedar Kasyap attacked former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel and the Congress party in a press conference held at the BJP district office, Ekamra Parisar.
Kasyap stated that Baghel consistently makes baseless accusations against the BJP government. He added that the Congress party and Baghel exhibit a double standard, saying one thing and doing another. He said the public understands their hypocrisy.
Kasyap alleged the Baghel government turned Chhattisgarh into a “grazing ground” for 10 Janpath over the past five years, citing alleged scams in liquor, coal, rice, and PSC. He added that the misuse of state resources and widespread corruption during the previous tenure have led to many Congress functionaries facing legal action.
\Congress’ Double Standards on Coal, Tree Felling
Kasyap criticised the Congress party and Baghel for raising concerns about coal block allocations and tree felling. He said their stance changed under pressure, which was evident in their correspondence. He questioned Baghel’s past statement urging Chhattisgarh residents to stop using air conditioners and electricity due to coal allocation issues. Kasyap challenged Baghel to demonstrate his commitment by disconnecting electricity at Rajiv Bhawan.
\Kasyap Alleges Baghel’s Self-Serving Coal Allocation
Kasyap referred to Baghel’s alleged self-serving coal allocations during his tenure as chief minister, specifically mentioning the allocation of a Chhattisgarh coal block to Ashok Gehlot in Rajasthan. He also pointed out that Congress leaders had facilitated coal block allocations during the UPA government under former prime minister Manmohan Singh.
He highlighted that in 2010, the Ministry of Coal and the Ministry of Environment and Forests, under the UPA government, had declared Hasdeo Aranya a “no-go zone.” The then-environment minister Jairam Ramesh had designated the entire area as a core area, with official documentation to support this. Kasyap questioned the current stance of these leaders on forest conservation given their past actions.
\Kasyap Challenges Baghel’s Claims with Dates, Records
Kasyap said that despite their current pronouncements on forests, Congress’ true colours are evident. He revealed that on 23 June 2011, the Congress-led central government proposed opening the Tara Prasad coal block. When the Congress governed Rajasthan, two major mines, Gare Pelma Sector-2 and the KK Extension plant in Rajasthan, were operated by Adani.
He added that while Baghel was chief minister, the state government recommended environmental clearance on 16 October 2019. He offered to provide Baghel with the dates and recommendations if he had forgotten. Kasyap also referred to the open-cast Gare Pelma Sector-2 mine agreement of 31 March 2021. Furthermore, he highlighted that the Congress government, under Baghel, granted Stage 1 forest clearance on 19 April 2022, and Stage 2 clearance on 23 January 2023.
Kasyap said that Baghel’s involvement in approving the coalfield was widely reported and known. He accused the Congress of jeopardising the state and country to protect its own people. He alleged that while the Congress allocates coal mines and approves them illegally, it proposes an “economic blockade” when in opposition. He added that this would harm Chhattisgarh’s economy, trade, and employment, going against the interests of the state’s people.
Kasyap Questions Congress’ Irresponsible Conduct
Addressing the “irresponsible” behaviour of the Congress and Baghel, Kasyap said they were indifferent to the consequences. He said they desired an economic blockade to create chaos, disrupt the system, and incite violence. He challenged Baghel to apologise for the decisions made during Dr Manmohan Singh’s prime ministership. He also asked if. Baghel would commit to not using electricity and air conditioning, and if Congress leaders would cut power to their homes. Kasyap said the Congress’ attempts to deceive the public were now evident.
Kasyap challenged Baghel’s claims, stating he possessed numerous letters from then-Rajasthan minister BD Kalla and eight letters written within a week by then-chief minister Ashok Gehlot during Baghel’s tenure. He accused Baghel of playing politics under pressure from “10 Janpath” and making accusations against the BJP. He concluded that the people of Chhattisgarh and the country had witnessed Baghel’s “politics of accusation,” leading to his removal after five years and the appointment of the “people-friendly” Vishnu Deo Sai as chief minister.
