A former three-time Chief Minister, now contesting from Rajnandgaon, has launched a scathing attack on his successor, Bhupesh Baghel, accusing him of being involved in alleged scams amounting to thousands of crores. He questions whether Baghel was appointed as Chief Minister to exploit the state.
“Where has Dr. Raman Singh disappeared?” This question has frequently arisen in conversations over the past four years in Delhi. The man who governed Chhattisgarh from 2003 to 2018 seemed to have vanished. However, Raman Singh is back in the spotlight after being nominated to contest from his hometown, Rajnandgaon, which goes to the polls on November 7.
Many of Singh’s ministerial colleagues, who served during his three terms in office, have also received party tickets. While party insiders may have doubts, for many in Rajnandgaon, this suggests he could be the BJP’s choice for Chief Minister if they come to power, as there is no other prominent face in the BJP to rival him.
During an interview, the soft-spoken and unassuming Raman Singh responded to various questions:
Interviewer: It’s up to the party to decide. We will hold a BJP meeting in the Vidhan Sabha. The same happened in 2003, 2008, and 2013.
Interviewer: What about you?
Raman Singh: If the party gives me a chance, I won’t refuse it. But I am not actively seeking it either.
Interviewer: Many of your people have been given tickets, leading to speculation that you might be…
Raman Singh: The tickets have been given on merit and not at my suggestion.
Interviewer: This time, it is said that the BJP does not have a clear agenda to fight the Congress in Chhattisgarh?
Raman Singh: Our manifesto includes all the promises we’ve made. There are scams worth thousands of crores in which this Congress government is involved. There is the Mahadev betting scandal, with evidence obtained by the ED. We have criticized the government over the liquor scam and corruption. Were you made the Chief Minister to plunder the state?
Interviewer: Why do you think you lost five years ago?
Raman Singh: People wanted to change the government and see how it performed. Bhupesh Baghel was the beneficiary.
Interviewer: If you come to power, what will be your first decision?
Raman Singh: Firstly, the party has not projected me as the CM. But I can say that our government will decide to complete the construction of 16 lakh homes that Bhupesh Baghel has not finished, and we will provide them to people who were denied housing.
Raman Singh: I had no problem working with people from different parties. I don’t view anyone in politics as an enemy. Now, there will be a coalition government, and things will improve. This time, the BJP will secure a clear majority and form the government in Chhattisgarh — you can take note of that. There is a wave of support for change here this time.
