Former CM Bhupesh Baghel Challenges BJP's Maoist Eradication Claims Amid Security Row
In a sharp critique of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel on Wednesday openly questioned the administration's assertion that Maoist violence has significantly declined and will be "wiped out by March." This controversy erupted after the Bijapur district police formally requested Congress legislator Vikram Mandavi to postpone his scheduled February 12 tour of interior villages, citing substantial security threats in the region.
MLA Mandavi Defies Police Advisory, Vows to Proceed with Constituency Visit
The issue gained momentum when the Bijapur police dispatched a written communication to MLA Vikram Mandavi, urging him to defer his proposed visit to villages within the Bhopalpattanam area due to legitimate security concerns. However, Mandavi, speaking to media outlets, firmly rejected this advisory, stating that ensuring the safety of public representatives is unequivocally the government's responsibility. He declared his intention to proceed with the tour regardless, emphasizing, "If the government cannot provide security, that is their issue. I will definitely go."
Mandavi was already en route to Bhopalpattanam, located near the Chhattisgarh-Maharashtra border, during his conversation with reporters. He outlined plans to visit remote settlements including Pilur, Edapalli, Sandra, Chhotekerkel, and Gudum, asserting his right as an elected representative. "I am an elected representative from this region and no one can stop me visiting my constituency and its people," he stated, questioning the government's narrative. "When they talk about Naxal-free Bastar, then why are they citing security issues there?"
Baghel Highlights Contradiction in Government Statements
Former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel seized upon this incident to underscore what he perceives as a glaring contradiction in the BJP government's position. He referenced Union Home Minister Amit Shah's declaration that Maoists would be "eradicated from the roots in March," juxtaposing it with the police advisory restricting an MLA's movement. "Union home minister Amit Shah says Maoists will be eradicated from the roots in March. The BJP government says MLAs cannot go on tours. So what is the truth? If Maoist activities are still continuing, what exactly is ending?" Baghel questioned pointedly.
He further contrasted the current scenario with his previous administration, noting, "Our government was better, at least MLAs could travel without being stopped." This remark underscores the political friction between the Congress and BJP in Chhattisgarh, with security and governance becoming central themes.
Police Letter Details Security Concerns in Maoist-Affected Region
The official letter from the Bijapur Superintendent of Police (SP) explicitly described the area as Maoist-affected and located in the interior, with only kutcha road access and a continuing possibility of Maoist activity. Given the prevailing security situation, the police formally requested the postponement of Mandavi's program "in the interest of security." Copies of this communication were marked to concerned gazetted police officers, the Bijapur control room, and local station in-charges for necessary action, indicating a coordinated administrative response.
There are strong indications that Congress MLA Vikram Mandavi might be intercepted and prevented from proceeding further into the Maoist-affected regions. In response, Mandavi alleged that the government's real motive is to conceal ground realities. "The actual problem is that they don't want the reality inside the villages to come out in open," he claimed, adding that if obstructed, he would stage a sit-in protest on the spot.
MLA Alleges Violation of Tribal Rights in Mining Project
Beyond the immediate security dispute, MLA Vikram Mandavi raised serious allegations regarding a corundum mining project in the tribal-dominated Bijapur district. He asserted that the project has been cleared without the mandatory Gram Sabha consent or a public hearing, demanding the immediate cancellation of the environmental clearance and a transparent restart of the process at village Kuchnoor.
Mandavi highlighted that under key legislations such as the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA), the Panchayati Raj Act, and the Forest Rights Act, Gram Sabha approval and consent are compulsory for mining and development projects in tribal-majority regions. He accused the authorities of a clear violation, stating, "But in this case, there was no consultation with the Gram Sabha of Kuchnoor, no public hearing and the panchayats were not even informed. This is a clear violation of constitutional rights of tribals."
This multifaceted controversy intertwines critical issues of internal security, political accountability, and tribal rights, placing the Chhattisgarh government under intense scrutiny. The defiance by Congress MLA Vikram Mandavi and the pointed questions raised by former CM Bhupesh Baghel amplify the challenges facing the administration in balancing security protocols with democratic access and developmental transparency in sensitive regions.
