The Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and other Congress leaders on Thursday denounced BJP leader and MP Saroj Pandey after she sent a 'Rakhi' to Bhupesh Baghel demanding total prohibition in the state to mark the festival.
In a letter accompanying the ‘Rakhi’ sent on Wednesday, Pandey, the BJP national General Secretary, addressed Baghel as 'brother'.
“As state Congress chief the promise was made to all mothers and sisters of total prohibition in the state. With their blessings, now you are the Chief Minister,” she wrote.
“Chhattisgarh’s culture gives importance to sisters as brothers await to shower them gifts mainly during ‘Teeja’ and ‘Raksha Bandhan’. The 40-day total lockdown due to Covid-19 helped to reduce domestic violence but with the opening of liquor shops, the situation has deteriorated,” she said.
Pandey then demanded that the Congress fulfil the promise of total prohibition as a gift to the sisters of Chhattisgarh.
Replying, Baghel tweeted sarcastically: “Sister Saroj Pandey, your brother Bhupesh makes a promise that in Chhattisgarh total prohibition will be done. We are all preparing for it.”
“But you have brought out the fact that for the last 15 years your brother Dr Raman Singh did not keep the promise.”
In another tweet, he said: “Sister, a request is that one rakhi should be sent to Brother Narendra Modi and ask him to fulfil each promise made to the citizens. I hope my sister will have the courage to send a Rakhi to a leader of her own party.”
Rajya Sabha member and Chhattisgarh Congress Women cell President Phulo Devi Netam dubbed Pandey's letter an act of "cheap politics".
She asked why Pandey did not take such a step when the BJP ruled the state for 15 years. She also asked Pandey raise her voice to protect the rights of the people of the state which are being denied by the Central government.
Other Congress leaders echoed similar sentiments.
Korba MP and Congress leader Jyotsana Mahant said the government is working on the issue and prohibition should take place in the state.