Chhattisgarh’s Election Drama: Bhupesh Baghel’s Sofa Pic and Challenge to Amit Shah for a Debate

Chhattisgarh’s political landscape was charged with anticipation on Tuesday as the state embarked on the first phase of the 2023 Assembly elections. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, who has been facing allegations of corruption linked to the Mahadev betting app, responded to an invitation from Union Home Minister Amit Shah for a debate on his government’s achievements with a tongue-in-cheek challenge. Baghel accepted the challenge and invited Amit Shah to specify the date, time, and venue for the debate, adding that the public was eager for it.

Amit Shah, in a prior response to the Congress’s request for the BJP to present “report cards” of its state governments, issued a challenge of his own. He called for a debate on the work of both parties over the years, daring Baghel to discuss his government’s five-year tenure alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 15-year rule.

गृहमंत्री श्री अमित शाह जी!

जिस पंडरिया विधानसभा में आप मुझे काम पर बहस करने की चुनौती देकर गए थे, उसी पंडरिया विधानसभा में जाकर मैंने आपकी चुनौती को स्वीकार किया है।

आपने तो अभी तक मंच, तारीख, समय नहीं बताया है लेकिन जनता ने मंच तैयार कर लिया है।

आप तारीख और समय बता दीजिए.. pic.twitter.com/NfuFT7xufN

— Bhupesh Baghel (@bhupeshbaghel) November 6, 2023

The battle to form the next government in Chhattisgarh commenced with the Congress party being widely regarded as the frontrunner in the two-horse race, despite last-minute allegations of corruption by the Enforcement Directorate against Bhupesh Baghel. According to sources, Lokniti’s opinion poll indicated that 79 percent of the electorate is at least somewhat satisfied with Baghel’s performance, and 39 percent want him to return as Chief Minister.

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The corruption allegations against Baghel are centered on accusations of receiving ₹508 crore from the owner of the now-illegal and defunct Mahadev betting app. Baghel vehemently denied these charges and accused the BJP of exploiting the Enforcement Directorate in an effort to tarnish the perception of his party’s government among voters.

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The second phase of the 2023 Chhattisgarh Assembly election is scheduled for November 17, with results set to be declared alongside those from four other states: Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan, and Mizoram, which is also voting on the same day in a single phase, on December 3. The political landscape in Chhattisgarh is poised for further excitement and scrutiny as the electoral process unfolds.