BJP makes lofty promises before polls, forgets them once in power: Kharge

Kharge urged the people of Chhattisgarh to stay united in defending their “jal, jungle, zameen” (water, forest, land)

Published on: Jul 8, 2025, 11:18:42 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

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Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge launched criticised the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in Chhattisgarh, accusing it of betraying pre-poll promises and using central agencies to intimidate Congress leaders in the state.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge addresses the ‘Kisan, Jawan, Samvidhan’ rally, in Raipur. (PTI photo)

Addressing a public rally in Chhattisgarh’s Raipur district, Kharge urged the people of Chhattisgarh to stay united in defending their “jal, jungle, zameen” (water, forest, land).

Kharge alleged that the BJP was “trying to intimidate everyone” across the country by misusing agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax Department to harass opposition leaders.

“BJP makes lofty promises before elections and forgets them once in power. It’s their habit to rule by fear. But we must not be afraid. To protect our natural resources and our rights, we must stand united,” he said.

Kharge also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not visiting Manipur.

“Modi ji has time to travel abroad, but he doesn’t have time to visit Manipur, where violence has been ongoing since May 2023.”

The Congress president accused the Modi government of enabling corporate giants like Adani and Ambani to exploit Chhattisgarh’s resources. “They are cutting down lakhs of trees and taking over land, destroying the lives of our tribal brothers and sisters,” he said.

Also Read: Congress accuses ECI of conspiring with BJP in Bihar; Poll body denies

Reacting to Kharge statements, BJP said that the Congress has lost ground in Chhattisgarh and therefore they are misleading people by such statements.

“Everyone in the state knows that when Congress was in power, they looted money. Now they are losing ground and hence Congress is making such statements, “ said BJP spokesperson Sacchinanand Upasne.

Upsanse further said that central agencies are doing their job and no one should question them.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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