No-Trust Motion Against Sai Government Defeated In C’garh Assembly After Marathon 14 Hour- Debate

The debate which culminated in putting the no-trust motion into voice vote at 2.30 am witnessed intense fireworks between the treasury and Opposition benches, surcharging the atmosphere in the House.

Moving the motion in the House, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Charan Das Mahant laid a 136-point chargesheet against the state government, alleging failure of the Sai regime in all fronts.

He accused the Sai government of failing the farmers, tribal women, and youth.

He also alleged indiscriminate mining in Hasdeo Arand, unchecked illegal sand mining, corruption in the ‘Bharatmala’ project and growing crimes in the state.

Former chief minister and senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel alleged that the state is run by an ‘invisible force’ and alleged that the state BJP government has failed to implement its poll promises, including cheaper LPG cylinders and enhanced wages for the daily wage earners.

He alleged that land mafias entered Bastar to exploit the mineral resources after Maoism in the tribal belt ended.

Replying to the motion, chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai dismissed all charges hurled by the Opposition against his government as ‘untrue and baseless’ and said that ‘if there were a PhD in lying, then the Congress leaders would have acquired it comfortably’.

Mr. Sai said that the no-trust motion moved by the Congress is not against his government but against the three crore people of Chhattisgarh who gave the BJP the mandate to rule.

He said that the Congress is not able to digest the fact that ‘a son of a tribal farmer’ has become the chief minister (referring to him) and that’s why the Opposition party is targeting him.

The chief minister said that the Congress treated tribals merely as its vote bank, but the BJP gave them dignity and representation.

He took a swipe at the previous Bhupesh Baghel government, reminding the Opposition party of the tussle between the former chief minister Mr. Baghel and his deputy chief minister T S Singh Deo then.

He highlighted achievements of his government like procurement of paddy from 25 lakh farmers at Rs 3,100 per quintal, besides releasing Rs 3,716 crore towards pending paddy bonus for them.

Mr. Sai said that the double-engine governments brought an end to four decades long Leftwing Extremism in Bastar in the state.

Later, the non-confidence motion was put to voice vote and defeated.