Raipur
Chhattisgarh Finance Minister OP Choudhary and Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao have criticised former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel for his statements regarding the recent anti-Naxal operations and ‘Operation Sindoor’. Choudhary termed Baghel as suffering from an inferiority complex, while Sao questioned whether Baghel supports Naxalism.
Baghel had posted a video on social media regarding the ‘Tiranga Yatra’ in Raipur, where he stated that Chief Minister Sai was referring to ‘Operation Sindoor’ as an ‘event’. Taking objection to the word ‘event’, Baghel tweeted, “O God, forgive these people who call the valour and prowess of the army an event. They do not know what valour and prowess are.“
Choudhary, in his response on X, accused Baghel of having an inferiority complex and stated that he is unable to digest India’s victory against Pakistan. Regarding the word ‘event’, the minister said, “‘Ayojan’ (event) in the dictionary of ‘Nagari Pracharini Sabha’ means ‘the process of carrying out any task or activity in a planned and organised manner.’ It includes planning, resource management, and completing the task within the stipulated time.”
Choudhary further wrote, “Does the Congress leader want to say that the campaign under ‘Operation Sindoor’ was not planned or was disorganised? Or that the army did not plan correctly, or that the army did not manage the resources properly? Earlier, while mocking the surgical strike in a similar manner, Bhupesh had said that ‘only crows died there.‘ The public has given him a befitting reply to that crude joke. The tradition of questioning the valour of our soldiers should stop. This is not a matter of politics.“
Baghel had also raised questions about the recent successful anti-Naxal operation in Bijapur, questioning the number of Naxals involved and the identification of those killed. He had posted a poster on social media expressing his doubts about the operation.
Responding to Baghel’s objections, Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao said, “It is a matter of great concern for Chhattisgarh that former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel is with the eradication of Naxalism or with Naxalism? He should clarify this.“
Sao added, “Two former Chief Ministers of the Congress party do not trust the country’s army. Former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi has doubts about the valour of the army at the border. Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has doubts about the valour of the soldiers in Bastar. I want to tell both of them that in the land of India, questions are not raised on the valour of the army, but the tales of the army’s glory are sung.“
