Farm loan waiver within 10 days: Bhupesh Baghel

Chhattisgarh Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel, in race for the CM’s post addressed some of ET's queries.

What will be the first step that the Congress is going to take?
As promised in our manifesto: We will offer farm loan waiver within 10 days and a Rs 2,500 per quintal price for paddy. This aside, we will fulfill all the promises we have made in the manifesto.


What do you think was reason for BJP’s loss?
Very strong anti-incumbency and complacency of the chief minister. He had no connect with the people at all. They considered the opposition as hardly any force. This shows the power the people.

And what worked for the Congress?
Our intensive booth-training programmes and sankalp shivirs proved very successful. Our organisation put up a united show and has been working incessantly for the last three years. We focussed on sections of the society who were getting marginalised, including women. The BJP hardly gave representation to women in the legislature.

We gave a huge number of seats to women candidates. And a total of nine have got elected — the highest proportion among all five states that went to polls recently.

What will be Congess’ strategy to fight the Maoists?
The Maoist problem is a very big problem but not an immediate one. We will have wider discussions and come out with a concrete plan in some time.

Who do you feel will emerge as the CM?
It will be decided by the party high command. Only they would know.