Bhupesh Baghel Calls BJP ‘Black British’ in Sai Row

Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has hit back at Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai over his criticism of the Congress and said the BJP was following a “divide and rule” approach that it had learnt from the British. Baghel made the remarks in Durg during a three-day Congress organisational training camp.

The exchange followed Sai’s comments on Baghel being removed as Congress in-charge of Punjab. The Chhattisgarh Chief Minister had accused the Congress of adopting a strategy similar to that of the British by encouraging internal divisions. He also said factionalism had become evident in Punjab during Baghel’s tenure as the state in-charge.

Responding to Sai, Baghel described BJP leaders as “black British” and alleged that the party was using social divisions for political gain. He claimed that attempts were being made to divide people along religious lines and also within tribal communities by creating distinctions based on identity.

Baghel questions changes in BJP appointments

Baghel also responded to criticism over changes in Congress organisational responsibilities. Questioning whether the BJP itself never changes its in-charges, he took a swipe at the party’s leadership appointments and referred to different kinds of leaders who, according to him, had held organisational responsibilities over time.

He argued that the BJP should look at changes within its own organisation before questioning Congress appointments. His remarks came amid the ongoing Congress training programme in Durg, where party leaders and workers are being briefed on organisational and political issues.

Sai says Congress follows ‘divide and rule’

Sai had earlier linked Baghel’s removal from the Punjab charge to alleged factionalism within the Congress. According to Sai, the Congress follows a policy resembling the British strategy of “divide and rule” and its leaders create factions wherever they go.

Referring to the Punjab episode, Sai said Baghel had faced opposition there, including “go back” slogans, and suggested that this contributed to the decision to remove him from the state responsibility.

The remarks have now triggered a fresh political exchange between the BJP and Congress in Chhattisgarh.

Deepak Baij also targets BJP

Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee president Deepak Baij separately attacked the BJP during the organisational programme. Baij alleged that the BJP had ideological links with Nathuram Godse and accused the party of having sought forgiveness from the British during the freedom struggle.

Baij argued that while the British used “divide and rule”, the Congress claimed to represent a politics of bringing people together. His remarks added another layer to the ongoing Congress-BJP confrontation in the state.

Baghel raises Jhiram Valley attack issue

During his interaction with the media, Baghel also raised questions about the investigation into the 2013 Jhiram Valley massacre in Bastar. He alleged that the incident involved a conspiracy and questioned why the people allegedly responsible for it had not been fully identified.

Baghel also questioned whether any police or administrative officer had been punished for the security lapses surrounding the attack. He referred to former Chief Minister Raman Singh’s earlier acknowledgment of security lapses and questioned the progress of the investigation.

He further raised questions about the names included in the FIR and the subsequent investigation, alleging that the scope of the accused was reduced during the process. These remain political allegations and are subject to the findings and records of the relevant investigations and courts.

Political battle intensifies in Chhattisgarh

The latest statements come as the BJP and Congress continue to trade allegations over organisational affairs, governance and past security incidents in Chhattisgarh. Baghel’s remarks on the BJP’s organisational changes and Sai’s criticism of the Congress’s internal functioning have added a fresh political dimension to the dispute.

The Jhiram Valley issue, meanwhile, remains politically sensitive in the state, with the Congress continuing to raise questions over the circumstances surrounding the attack and the BJP pointing to the judicial proceedings in the case.

A special NIA court in Jagdalpur recently convicted 10 accused in the 2013 Jhiram Valley massacre case. The sentencing of the convicted accused is scheduled to be taken up on September 16, according to the information cited in the supplied report.