The fourth day of the Chhattisgarh Assembly’s Budget Session was marked by sharp confrontations, repeated disruptions and a dramatic walkout by the Opposition. Contentious issues ranging from alleged drug trafficking and custodial deaths in prisons to Naxal surrenders, crime trends and paddy procurement policy dominated proceedings, exposing deep political fault lines between the treasury benches and the Congress on Thursday.
The confrontation escalated after adjournment motions were disallowed, prompting slogan shouting by Opposition members. Several legislators who entered the well of the House were automatically suspended under Assembly rules, bringing the day’s proceedings to a turbulent close.
Former Chief Minister and Congress MLA Bhupesh Baghel initiated the debate by raising the issue of drug trafficking in the state. Referring to the widely discussed case of alleged drug peddler Navya Malik, he questioned why her name was absent from the list of accused persons placed before the House. Mr Baghel demanded to know who was responsible for the omission and whether information had been deliberately withheld.
Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Vijay Sharma said he did not have immediate details but assured members that the matter would be examined and the House informed accordingly.
During Question hour, the Home Minister disclosed that between January 2025 and January 31, 2026, 66 inmates had died in central and district jails across Chhattisgarh. He stated that judicial magistrate inquiries had been completed in 18 cases, while investigations were ongoing in 48 cases.
Mr Baghel objected to the absence of detailed information regarding the deceased inmates and the prisons concerned. He specifically cited the cases of Pankaj Sahu of Kawardha jail and Jivan Thakur, who had been lodged in Kanker jail, seeking clarity on the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
Deputy CM Sharma responded that the case of Pankaj Sahu fell outside the time period under discussion, while Jivan Thakur had been transferred to Raipur with court permission. Allegations of inadequate medical care were rejected by the minister, who maintained that due medical procedures were followed and that a magistrate inquiry was already in progress. The exchange led to sloganeering and a walkout by Opposition members.
The former Chief Minister also alleged a rise in serious crimes such as murder, robbery and extortion. The Home Minister countered the claim, asserting that crime levels had declined under the present administration and that law and order had strengthened.
On the state’s Naxal rehabilitation policy, Vijay Sharma informed the House that as of February 9, 2026, a total of 2,937 Naxals, including 1,496 carrying rewards, had surrendered. Under the rehabilitation framework, ₹5.64 crore has been disbursed as initial assistance, while ₹49.34 crore in reward money remains to be distributed.
He clarified that surrendered cadres would be eligible to withdraw the assistance amount from their bank accounts after three years, in accordance with policy guidelines.
The most intense confrontation unfolded during Zero hour when Leader of the Opposition Dr Charan Das Mahant moved an adjournment motion over alleged irregularities in paddy procurement. He accused the government of harassing farmers through token systems and acreage surrender requirements, and of failing to procure the entire produce.
Congress legislators cited instances of distress among farmers, including debt burdens and alleged attempts at self harm. Bhupesh Baghel alleged that the government was avoiding a full debate on the issue and exerting administrative pressure.
When the Chair rejected the adjournment motion, Opposition members rushed to the well of the House amid loud protests. Several members were automatically suspended for entering the well, intensifying the political standoff.
A charged atmosphere prevailed in the Assembly on Thursday as law enforcement, prison administration, Naxal rehabilitation policy and paddy procurement emerged as the principal flashpoints between the treasury benches and the Opposition. With positions hardening on both sides, these issues are set to dominate the remainder of the Budget Session.