BJP using govt funds on 'Vikas Yatra' in Chhattisgarh: Congress

RAIPUR: Opposition Congress today said Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh's ' Vikas Yatra' has been launched with political motives and accused the ruling BJP of using public money to promote itself ahead of the Assembly polls.

State Congress General Secretary Bhupesh Baghel has written a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner and Chhattisgarh Chief Secretary, seeking a ban on the campaign.

Singh yesterday embarked on one-and-half month long Vikas Yatra during which he will visit all the districts of the state and apprise the people about the welfare schemes and achievements of his government, besides distributing Rs 1,900 crore as bonus to farmers.

"This is sheer misuse of public money. The Constitution as well as the Civil Services Act prohibit misuse of government machinery for political works," Baghel said.

The Congress leader, in the letter, said the state-level preparatory meeting for the yatra was held at BJP office here. The district-level meetings to take stock of preparation of yatra were also being organised jointly by government officials and BJP office-bearers which is inappropriate.

Chhattisgarh is in pre-election mode and the process of revision of voter list has started in the state, where election is due by the year-end. The ruling party was not supposed to take out any yatra using government funds ahead of elections, Baghel maintained.