President Murmu in Bastar: CM Sai Hails Historic Visit, Slams Congress 'Vote Bank' Politics
Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai welcomes President Murmu to the Muria Darbar and slams Congress for treating tribals as a vote bank.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has hailed the visit of President Droupadi Murmu to the Bastar region as a historic milestone for the state. The President's participation in the President Murmu Bastar visit coincides with the world-renowned Bastar Dussehra, a festival distinguished by its incredible duration of 75 days.
A Historic Moment at Muria Darbar
Chief Minister Sai expressed immense pride in the President's involvement in the 'Muria Darbar,' a traditional gathering that forms a core part of the Bastar Dussehra celebrations. He noted that this marks perhaps the first time the Head of State has participated in this specific tradition, adding that the President is also scheduled to address a public gathering at the Lal Bagh grounds.
Attack on Congress and 'Vote Bank' Allegations
While welcoming the President, CM Sai used the platform to launch a scathing attack on the Congress party. He accused the opposition of treating the tribal population as nothing more than a "vote bank" for several decades, questioning the actual contributions the party made toward the development of these communities during its long tenure in power.
"The Congress party has consistently used the tribal community merely as a 'vote bank.' Today, the tribal community has turned away from the Congress," Sai stated, challenging the party to explain its achievements for tribals over the 55 to 60 years it ruled at both the state and national levels.
The 'Double-Engine' Growth and Naxalism
The Chief Minister credited the synergy between the BJP-led central government and the state administration—what he termed the "double-engine" government—for the current progress in the region. He highlighted the following key developments:
- The establishment of a dedicated Ministry of Tribal Affairs by the Government of India.
- The creation of specialized authorities within Chhattisgarh to drive tribal welfare.
- The successful eradication of Naxalism from the Bastar region, which Sai claims has paved the way for stability.
Pride of the Tribal Community
Chhattisgarh Cabinet Minister O.P. Choudhary echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the symbolic importance of President Murmu's visit. He pointed out that having a woman from the tribal community hold the highest constitutional office in India is a matter of great joy and pride for the people of Bastar.
Minister Choudhary further noted that the region has received unprecedented attention and affection from the BJP and constitutional institutions, citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's frequent visits to the area as evidence of this commitment.
Allegations of Foreign Interference
In a sharp political turn, Minister Choudhary also targeted Rahul Gandhi and George Soros. He alleged that certain forces aiming to create instability within India are operating as the "B-team" of the Congress party. Referencing the Prime Minister's previous comments on foreign interference, Choudhary asserted that the Indian public is well aware of the attempts to hinder the country's progress.