Guwahati, 13 September (HS): The Assam Pradesh BJP on Sunday launched a sharp attack on former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel over his remarks on governance in Assam, describing his advice to Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on floods and rising prices as “laughable.”

Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters, party spokesperson Brojen Mahanta alleged that Baghel lacked the moral standing to lecture the BJP on governance, citing controversies and allegations associated with the Congress government during his tenure in Chhattisgarh.

Mahanta referred to allegations concerning a liquor scam estimated at around ₹3,000 crore, an alleged parallel excise syndicate, the Mahadev betting app case, an alleged coal levy racket of around ₹500 crore and alleged irregularities in recruitment and other administrative matters. He noted that the Congress had won 68 seats and formed the government in Chhattisgarh in 2018, but was defeated in the 2023 Assembly elections, when the BJP returned to power.

Responding to Baghel’s remarks on the BJP’s alleged “anti-democratic” activities, Mahanta invoked the Emergency imposed in 1975 and said the Congress should remember that period before making allegations about democracy.

On the issue of indigenous people in Assam, Mahanta accused the Congress of pursuing vote-bank politics and alleged that the party had extended political protection and privileges to people who had illegally entered Assam from Bangladesh.

BJP spokesperson Pranjal Kalita and media panellist Amal Narayan Patowary were also present at the press conference.

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash