CHHATTISGARH IS ONE of the few states where the Congress has managed to put together a strong front against the BJP. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, who came to power with three-fourths majority in the assembly elections in 2018, has held the party together, despite the massive defeat the Congress encountered in the Lok Sabha polls. He led the Congress to victory in the recent byelections to the Dantewada assembly constituency, where the BJP had registered a 7 per cent lead in the Lok Sabha elections. In an exclusive interview with THE WEEK, Baghel says Rahul Gandhi’s decision to quit as Congress president showed his high moral values. He says Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi will work as the twin pillars of the Congress under the undisputed leadership of interim president Sonia Gandhi.
Excerpts:
Has the Congress resolved the leadership crisis it faced after losing the Lok Sabha elections?
The Congress under Rahul Gandhi had put up a strong fight in the Lok Sabha elections, but the results were not as we anticipated. No one from the Congress, however, pointed fingers at Rahul as they all knew that he had worked really hard. He had travelled the length and breadth of the country, meeting people and talking to them. He showed high moral values by taking responsibility and quitting as party president. No party worker wanted Rahul to quit. It was his decision and we humbly bowed to that. It did not put the Congress in any sort of trouble, but party workers were sad. With Sonia ji taking over as interim president, they no longer feel desolate.
What difference can the Congress make in national politics under an interim president?
The Congress has a history of sacrifices. Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi sacrificed their lives for the nation. In the beginning, Sonia ji was not willing to join mainstream politics, but on the request of Congress workers she became party president and gave the Congress a strong leadership. When the party was once again looking for a president, Sonia ji accepted the request of Congress workers and the Congress Working Committee. She is now focusing on a membership drive to further strengthen the party.
With three Gandhis at the helm, will there be a power sharing crisis in the Congress?
There is no crisis in the Congress. Sonia ji is the undisputed leader of Congress workers and the president of the party. Rahul and Priyanka are the two pillars of faith for Congress workers. The party leadership works in a cohesive manner and there is no room for any crisis. Priyanka has recently joined the centre stage. In the days to come, we will see her leadership skills and charisma.
Has India benefited from the ‘Howdy, Modi!’ event held in the US?
It was more of event management and the prime minister must tell the people what benefit India has got from it. It was like an election campaign for President Donald Trump. No agreements were signed during the visit. The prime minister should tell the nation what gains—financial or otherwise—India got from such a highly publicised event.
Dantewada and many other districts in Chhattisgarh are affected by left-wing extremism. How does your government plan to tackle this menace?
Violence perpetrated by a few misguided people cannot be tolerated and cannot be a solution to any problem. Trust, development and safety are required to attain normalcy and peace. As part of this exercise, the government has ensured that adivasis and other people residing in the region get their rights. We have implemented the Forest Rights Act, hiked the tendu leaves collection charges and ensured that minor forest produce and other products from this tribal region get proper price. Our government is of the view that people who are booked wrongly in cases of Naxalism shall not be prosecuted and a decision will be taken on the recommendation of the review committee set up for such cases, headed by former Supreme Court judge A.K. Patnaik.
To read the full interview
Visit www.theweek.in
