Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel. File | Photo credit: PTI
Former Chhattisgarh Home Minister and senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel on Tuesday challenged Union Home Minister Amit Shah for a debate alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader was falsely claiming that no action was taken against Maoists during the Congress rule in the state.
Meanwhile, the current Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has accused Mr. Baghel of lying and covering up his government’s failures.
In a video posted on his social media profile, Mr Baghel – who was the chief minister of the state from 2018 to 2023 – referred to Mr Shah’s statement in the Lok Sabha on Monday and highlighted the development work done by his government.
“Amit Shah has claimed that our government does not support anti-Maoist efforts. This is completely false. I urge him to discuss it at a time and place of his choice. The people of the state and the country should not be misled,” he said.
He pointed to the initiatives of the Congress government in Bastar, including implementation of the Forest Rights Act, opening of schools, establishment of health facilities and distribution of ration cards.
“While the BJP government denied these benefits, we worked to build trust with local communities. As Naxal influence receded, development initiatives expanded, 600 villages were de-threatened and people returned to the mainstream,” he added.
“I want to ask Amit Shah ji because he has announced that once a village is declared Naxal-free, that village will be given ₹1 million. Now that Naxalism is over, when will ₹1 million be given to every village in Bastar?” he said further in the video.
“He (Mr Shah) keeps spreading falsehoods. It is an insult to our DRG personnel who have sacrificed their lives in the fight against Naxalism. All the development work we have done is duly recorded. Shah should be ashamed, stop spreading lies and apologize to the people of Chhattisgarh,” Mr Baghel added.
Another senior leader and Congress state chief, Deepak Baij, also disputed the BJP’s claim and claimed that Maoism spread across Chhattisgarh while the BJP was ruling there under former chief minister Raman Singh.
Mr. Sai contested the claims and said that, “What Bhupesh Baghel said is completely false. He is trying to cover up the failure of his government.”
He said when he assumed power in December 2023, an audit by the Union Home Minister revealed that more than 75% of Maoist activities in the country were in Chhattisgarh.
“If the previous government had shown firmness and sincerity in fighting Maoism during its five-year tenure, the situation would have been different. The then state government did not cooperate with the Center at all and Baghel’s statements are simply false,” the chief minister said.
Published – 31 March 2026 21:49 IST
