Chief Minister Raman Singh urged the voters to compare the two regimes of the Congress (Nov 2000 - Dec 2003) and the BJP rule (Dec 2003 - 2013) before polling. The crucial first phase polling for 18 seats begins on Monday.
“The people in Chhattisgarh have experienced a reign of terror between 2000 to 2003. If they want to bring the same face again, let them first compare the two Governments and then decide,” he said while addressing a Press conference here. He said that the people from 2003 to 2013 got peace and development besides developing faith in the ruling party. In the ensuing polls, they (people) would be able to see what they (Congress) had been promising and what we (BJP) have delivered.
“Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh said that the money for the PDS system came from Delhi. What is this talk about Delhi, Madhya Pradesh or ChhattisgarhIJ The Central fund allocation was the share of Chhattisgarh for implementation of schemes. The fund allocation by the Centre is public money,” he said.
“The Chhattisgarh Government through its own financial resources streamlined the PDS system. The Rs 1,600 crore spent on the PDS system came from the State budget,” the Chief Minister said. The Chhattisgarh model of PDS system has been appreciated across the country. If the PM wants, he should go ahead and implement the Chhattisgarh model of PDS system in Maharashtra and other Congress ruled States, he said.
“The Congress party promises to distribute free rice. The self respecting people of Chhattisgarh do not want any free rice. They instead would like to pay Rs 1 per Kg to get the food grain,” Singh said. “The Congress party wants to reduce the price of Rs 35 on rice in Chhattisgarh. Instead it should reduce the price of vegetables and petroleum products,” he said.
Replying to another query on the Congress candidate Alka Mudliyar who is the wife of late party MlA Uday Mudliyar slain in the Jeeram Ghati attack by Maoists contesting against him in Rajnandgaon Assembly constituency which goes to polls in the first phase on Monday, the Chief Minister commented, “There would be higher level of voting in his constituency this time round. The people recognise the development that had taken place in his constituency,” he said.
He said that Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in many forums have reiterated that Chhattisgarh is among the seven insurgency affected States where it had been tackled effectively.
“Who is responsible for the price rise situation in the countryIJ The Congress promised to bring down the prices in 100 days of assuming power,” Singh asked. “Four-and-a-half years have gone, the GDP growth has slipped in the country.There had been scams such as 2G and CWG. There is rampant corruption. The PM needed to answer all this,” he said.
Replying to a query on the Jeeram Ghati masscare episode remaining an issue in the Assembly polls, Singh remarked, “One should wait for the NIA report. If the Congress party wants, it should release the report before the polls.”
Commenting on Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s visit to Raipur on Saturday, the Chief Minister said that he was the first Prime Minister in the past five years who held a meeting with the Congress party workers but did not have the courage to address a public meeting in the city.