Sachin Pilot leads massive Congress rally against Chhattisgarh govt

Congress party leaders, under a leadership of Sachin Pilot, launched a blistering attack on both the state BJP government and the Centre over a range of issues from farmers’ welfare to foreign policy on Tuesday.

Earlier, the Congress leaders had announced a gherao of the Chhattisgarh Assembly, but tight security arrangements prevented them from doing so.

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Led by All India Congress Committee (AICC) national general secretary and state in-charge Sachin Pilot, Leader of the Opposition Dr. Charandas Mahant, former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, state president Deepak Baij, along with several senior leaders, MLAs, and a large contingent of party workers gathered for a demonstration cordon off the assembly premises.

The party organised a massive public meeting at Bharat Mata Chowk in Shankar Nagar. The gathering at the public meeting motivated the leaders taking turns to address the crowd.

Addressing party workers, Pilot launched a fierce critique of the Central government’s foreign policy, alleging that it was functioning under pressure from foreign powers. He invoked former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee while commenting on contemporary diplomatic challenges. “It is a matter of deep concern that decisions about how much oil India should purchase from which country are now being dictated by external forces,” he said.

Pilot also accused the Central government of systematically weakening legislation meant to protect the poor and working classes. He questioned the changes made to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, describing them as a grave injustice to labourers. The UPA government gave the country MGNREGA, the Food Security Act, and the Right to Education. This government is systematically dismantling these foundational welfare measures, Pilot alleged.

Leader of Opposition Dr. Charandas Mahant explained the rationale behind boycotting the assembly proceedings and opting for the Vidhan Sabha gherao. He asserted that the BJP government had turned a deaf ear to the concerns of the poor.

Addressing the gathering , Mahant said, “There is no one in the assembly willing to listen to the voice of the underprivileged. The BJP government exists solely to protect the interests of industrialists and capitalists. Congress remains the only party standing with the poor and fighting for their rights.”

Former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel expanded the critique to include the treatment of Indians living in the Gulf countries. “Nearly one crore Indians are stranded in Gulf countries, and the government has no concrete plan for their safe return,” Baghel claimed.

State Congress president Deepak Baij trained his guns on the Vishnu Deo Sai government, alleging that within just two and a half years of its tenure, it had caused widespread public distress. He accused the administration of prioritising corporate interests over the welfare of ordinary citizens.

“This is a government of the capitalists,” Baij asserted. “The state is being turned into a hub of substance abuse. The benefits of the Mahtari Vandan Yojana are being effectively clawed back through increased electricity tariffs. Farmers have faced the worst injustice- their homes and fields have been subjected to scrutiny, and legitimate cultivators have been denied procurement of their paddy.”

Earlier in the day, Pilot received a warm welcome upon his arrival at Raipur airport. Baij, along with other office bearers, greeted him with garlands and accolades. PCC general secretary Malkeet Singh Gheidu, general secretaries Deepak Mishra and Subodh Haritwal, Raipur city Congress president Srikumar Menon, rural Congress president Pappu Banjare, along with other senior leaders, were present during the protest.