BJP HAS NO LINKS TO CHHATTISGARH'S ROOTS

INTERVIEW BHUPESH BAGHEL chief minister, Chhattisgarh

- SRAVANI SARKAR

Q/ Your government is into the final year of its tenure. What are your biggest achievements?

A/ Our biggest achievement is that we have been able to convince the people of Chhattisgarh that this is their state. This feeling of ownership was lacking for 18 years since the formation of the state. The people had a feeling of alienation towards the government. I am happy that we could remove this feeling and make people sense their democratic power.

Q/ You have covered more than 50 assembly constituencies under the ‘Bhent-Mulaqat’ initiative. What are the key issues you noticed?

A/ Economic self-reliance has increased in villages. Rural people are more confident and farmers’ trust on farming has revived. Women have become stronger. During our interactions in villages, it is the women who retain the mikes for the longest time. When they stand up and put across their views confidently, I feel that our policies and schemes are successful. Change in the lives of women is the indicator of societal change. In general, I am getting very good feedback on all the schemes. People demand more bank branches and paddy purchase centres in or near their villages. Such demands are indicative of rising prosperity.

Q/ You have won multiple bypolls, but incumbents often fail to do well in subsequent assembly polls.