Chhattisgarh Congress chief alleges BJP conspiracy behind call from ‘Maoist leader’

According to Bhupesh Baghel, Ganpathy told him that Maoists could influence as many as 37 seats in the Chhattisgarh, and he would like to support the Congress just like he had backed the BJP in the two previous assembly polls.

Updated on: Jul 19, 2018, 14:42:50 IST

Hindustan Times, Raipur | By Ritesh Mishra

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Chhattisgarh Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel has alleged that a man identifying himself as a top Maoist leader called him up recently to offer his assistance to the party in the upcoming assembly election. He said it was part of a “conspiracy” by the ruling BJP to discredit the Congress in the months leading up to the electoral contest.

Bhupesh Baghel said Ganpathy told him that Maoists could influence as many as 37 seats in Chhattisgarh. (ANI Photo)

Addressing mediapersons on Wednesday evening, Baghel said that the alleged caller identified himself as CPI(Maoist) general secretary Muppala Lakshmana Rao alias Ganpathy. He reported the matter to Durg superintendent of police Sanjeev Shukla soon afterwards.

“We have received an application regarding the unidentified caller, and an investigation has been launched,” Shukla confirmed.

According to Baghel, Ganpathy told him that Maoists could influence as many as 37 seats in the state, and he would like to support the Congress just like he had backed the BJP in the two previous assembly polls.

The Congress chief went on to state that when his colleagues cross-checked the call details on a mobile application, it showed up as Ganpathy’s contact number from Hyderabad.

The BJP, meanwhile, dismissed Baghel’s allegations of a political conspiracy. “Bhupesh is making false and baseless statements. If we had any grudge, we would have asked why only he gets such calls . Instead of playing politics on the Maoist issue, he should wait for the local police to complete their investigation,” said Chhattisgarh party spokesperson Sanjay Shrivastava.

Incidentally, 68-year-old Ganpathy has a bounty of ₹3 crore – the highest in the country – on his head. A BSc/BEd graduate from Karimnagar district in Telangana, he had gone underground 43 years ago.

Last heard, the Maoist leader was said to be hiding in the Abujhmad forests of Naryanpur. Known to be an avid reader, only a few journalists have been able to meet him until now.

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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