Chhattisgarh Assembly Elections: BJP national president JP Nadda on Friday launched the party's second 'Parivartan Yatra' from the northern region of the state, intensifying its campaign against the ruling Congress ahead of the upcoming assembly polls. The second large-scale outreach program was launched three days after commencing its initial 'Parivartan Yatra' in southern Chhattisgarh.
At the flag-off ceremony of Parivartan yatra, BJP chief JP Nadda said, "Nowadays, there have been many talks on Sanatana Dharma. On September 1, this INDI alliance held a meeting in Mumbai. On September 3, their strong ally DMK's Chief's son Udhayanidhi Stalin insulted Sanatana Dharma... Till now Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are silent on this... I allege that both mother and son have formulated the agenda to insult Sanatana Dharma in the Mumbai meeting which is handed over to DMK and other parties..."
Further hitting out at Congress-led government in the state, JP Nadda said, "...With this Chhattisgarh Parivartan Yatra, we will uproot the corrupt Bhupesh Baghel government."
Nadda attended the Parivartan Yatra (March of Change) from Jashpur district of the poll-bound state after offering prayers at Balaji temple in Jashpur town.
The BJP chief also offered prayers at the Balaji temple in Jashpur and addressed a public meeting at Ranjita stadium ground before flagging off the yatra.
The assembly elections in Chhattisgarh are due in November.
PM Modi addressed a ‘Vijay Shankhnad’ rally
The yatra starts a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a ‘Vijay Sankhnad’ rally in Raigarh district and targeted the Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government in the state, saying it lagged behind in the welfare of the poor, but was ahead in corruption. "The BJP government of Delhi is leaving no stone unturned for the development of Chhattisgarh. But the Congress government here is not engaged in development work but only in empty talk and claims," he said.
"There was a time when Chhattisgarh was known only for Naxalite attacks and violence. After the efforts of the BJP government, today Chhattisgarh is being recognised because of the development work done," the Prime Minister said.
Hi-tech bus, vehicles for yatra
On September 12, the BJP took out its first Parivartan Yatra from Dantewada district. Although Union Home Minister Amit Shah was slated to inaugurate the first yatra, he was unable to attend the event due to some urgent reason.
The party’s state spokesperson Nalineesh Thokne said that the BJP has been using a high-tech bus which was used by it for its ‘Vikas Yatra’ in the state ahead of the 2018 assembly elections when the party was in rule. The bus is equipped with CCTV cameras, an LED screen, and a hydraulic lift for leaders to address gatherings during the yatra, among other modern amenities. Thokne said that a similar high-tech bus has been arranged for the second yatra as well.
The bus, adorned in a striking saffron colour with blue and green stripes along the lower part, features images of Modi, Nadda, state party leader Arun Sao, former chief minister Raman Singh, assembly opposition leader Narayan Chandel, as well as three female leaders: Union minister Renuka Singh and BJP national vice presidents Saroj Pandey and Lata Usendi.
Additionally, it includes images of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the background and prominently showcases the image of 'Chhattisgarh Mahtari' (mother) over a map of the state.
'Parivartan Yatras are aimed at raising public awareness'
According to BJP’s state in-charge Om Mathur, the Parivartan Yatras are aimed at raising public awareness and exposing the “corruption” of the Congress government. Besides, people will also be apprised about the public welfare schemes of the Modi government at the Centre, he had said claiming the yatras will create a new history in Chhattisgarh.
The first yatra will span 1,728 km, covering Bastar, Durg, and Raipur divisions over a duration of 16 days. On the other hand, the second yatra will cover 1,261 km in 13 days, focusing on the Bilaspur and Surguja divisions.
Both Yatras will involve 84 public meetings, 85 'swagat sabhas' (welcome gatherings), and seven road shows. They will conclude in Bilaspur on the same day, covering a combined distance of 2,989 km across 87 assembly segments out of the total 90. Party leaders have indicated that PM Modi is expected to attend the concluding function on September 28.
BJP released first list of candidates
In the 2018 assembly polls, Congress handed a massive defeat to BJP which had been in power in Chhattisgarh for 15 years under Raman Singh. The Congress won 68 constituencies and BJP just 15.
The BJP last month released its first list of candidates for 21 seats which it had ceded to Congress in the last polls even though the EC is yet to announce the schedule of the upcoming assembly elections, due later this year.
(With PTI inputs)
