BJP plans grassroots outreach focusing on farmers, youth, women and Bastar; Congress accuses government of using state machinery and schoolchildren for political promotion
Raipur : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has intensified organisational preparations in Chhattisgarh with a focus on strengthening its grassroots network and taking government welfare schemes and development initiatives to the last person.
Senior BJP leaders from the state and national organisation have been holding meetings in Raipur to chalk out a strategy for strengthening the party organisation and expanding its outreach among different sections of society.
The BJP’s organisational discussions have focused particularly on farmers, youth, women, tribal communities and the development of Bastar.
The party has also decided to highlight issues on which it believes the previous Congress government failed to deliver, while presenting the current government’s policies and schemes to people at the grassroots level.
BJP Attacks Congress Over Youth Policy
Responding to criticism from the Congress over the BJP’s proposed programmes and its approach towards young people, BJP state spokesperson Dr Vijay Shankar Mishra accused the Congress of attempting to create dissatisfaction among the country’s youth.
Mishra alleged that instead of encouraging young people towards quality education, discipline, character building and nation-building, the Congress was allegedly trying to politicise issues concerning the younger generation.
He said India’s youth represented the country’s major strength and the foundation of its future and argued that political efforts should focus on creating opportunities for education, employment and constructive participation.
The BJP spokesperson also accused the Congress of attempting to use youth-related issues for political gains.
Tribal Politics Becomes Major Focus
Tribal issues have emerged as another major focus of the BJP’s organisational strategy in Chhattisgarh.
During meetings held on August 25 and 26, BJP leaders discussed the Congress’s efforts to make tribal issues a major political issue, particularly in the context of the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
Vikas Markam, chairman of the Chhattisgarh Tribal Local Health Traditions and Medicinal Plants Board, alleged that the previous Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government had attempted to undermine the 32 per cent reservation available to tribal communities.
Markam claimed that a petition filed by Congress-linked K.P. Khande in the High Court and what he described as inadequate government representation resulted in the reservation being cancelled.
He further alleged that Khande was subsequently appointed chairman of the Scheduled Caste Commission by the then government.
Markam said BJP leaders Vidya Sidor and social activist Yogesh Thakur later pursued the matter in the Supreme Court and worked to protect tribal reservation rights.
These claims are part of the BJP’s political criticism of the previous Congress government.
BJP Highlights Local Recruitment in Scheduled Areas
Markam also claimed that the earlier BJP government led by Raman Singh had provided 100 per cent recruitment opportunities for local candidates to certain Class III and Class IV positions in Bastar, Surguja and other Fifth Schedule areas.
He alleged that the Congress government subsequently ended this provision, which, according to him, affected employment opportunities for tribal youth.
“The previous BJP government had given local youth in Fifth Schedule areas the right to 100 per cent recruitment in Class III and Class IV posts. The Congress government ended this provision after coming to power, affecting the future of tribal youth.” — Vikas Markam, Chairman, Chhattisgarh Tribal Local Health Traditions and Medicinal Plants Board
Tendu Leaves and the ‘Green Gold’ Debate
The BJP also raised the issue of tendu leaves, traditionally regarded as “green gold” by tribal communities because of their economic importance.
Markam alleged that during the previous Congress government, tendu leaf procurement was conducted for only a limited number of days and that bonus payments to collectors were withheld for several years.
He also alleged that the Charan Paduka scheme, which was aimed at tribal communities, was discontinued.
According to Markam, the present Vishnu Deo Sai government is purchasing tendu leaves at a rate of ₹5,500 per standard bag, for as long as leaves remain available.
The BJP has presented the procurement policy as an initiative aimed at increasing the income of tribal tendu-leaf collectors.
BJP Accuses Congress of Dividing Tribal Organisations
Markam also accused the Congress of treating tribal communities as a vote bank.
He referred to the division of the tribal development council during the tenure of former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi in 2002-03 and alleged that the previous Bhupesh Baghel government also contributed to divisions within tribal organisations.
The BJP leader further raised the issue of Left-wing extremism and accused Congress leaders of glorifying individuals associated with Maoist violence.
The BJP argued that the eradication of Left-wing extremism and the subsequent development of Bastar should remain a major priority.
BJP Highlights Tribal Representation
The party also highlighted the growing political representation of tribal communities.
BJP leaders pointed to Droupadi Murmu becoming India’s President and Vishnu Deo Sai serving as Chhattisgarh Chief Minister as examples of tribal representation at the highest levels of government.
They also referred to Mohan Charan Majhi, the tribal Chief Minister of Odisha, and the presence of tribal leaders in the Union government and constitutional positions.
The BJP said its focus was on tribal dignity, protection of rights and overall socio-economic development.
‘Bastar Development Is a Priority’
BJP national co-organisation general secretary Shiv Prakash said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had repeatedly demonstrated the ability to turn difficult goals into achievable outcomes.
He cited initiatives such as Make in India, infrastructure expansion and poverty reduction as examples of changes taking place across the country.
The BJP also highlighted investments in railways, airports and national highways, along with policies focused on women’s empowerment.
Party leaders referred to direct benefit transfers through Jan Dhan accounts, greater recognition of women’s role in household welfare schemes and other government initiatives.
The BJP also highlighted the abrogation of Article 370 and the construction of the Ram Temple as examples of major commitments fulfilled by the government.
The party said that with Left-wing extremism being brought under control, Bastar’s development would now be a major priority.
BJP leaders recalled Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s stated objective of developing Bastar into one of India’s leading tribal regions.
BJP Announces ‘Seva Sankalp’ Campaign
The BJP is also preparing to launch a month-long ‘Seva Sankalp’ campaign in Chhattisgarh.
The campaign is scheduled to begin on September 17, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday, and will continue for a month.
The party plans to use the campaign to expand public outreach, highlight government initiatives and strengthen its organisational network.
BJP leaders said the campaign would focus on connecting government schemes and development programmes with beneficiaries and strengthening communication between party workers and the public.
Farmers Remain a Key Focus
The BJP’s organisational programme also includes special attention to farmers.
On August 31, the party’s Kisan Morcha held a full-day meeting focusing on issues concerning the farming community.
BJP chief spokesperson Santosh Pandey said farmers had remained an important part of the party’s outreach and that the organisation would work to ensure that government schemes and policies reached beneficiaries.
He said the BJP wanted farmers to be aware of the programmes available to them and take advantage of the benefits provided by the government.
Pandey also criticised the previous Congress government over its record on tribal issues.
“At present, Chhattisgarh has a tribal Chief Minister and the country has a tribal President. The BJP is committed to the development of tribal communities and the state. Whenever Congress has received an opportunity, it has only worked to mislead the people.” — Santosh Pandey, BJP Chief Spokesperson
Congress Hits Back, Alleges Misuse of Government Machinery
The Congress has strongly criticised the BJP’s proposed ‘Seva Sankalp’ campaign, accusing the ruling party of using government machinery to promote itself and conceal its alleged shortcomings.
Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee president Deepak Baij alleged that the government was planning to involve schoolchildren in political programmes.
Baij claimed that the proposed activities violated provisions of the Education Code and guidelines issued by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).
He also alleged that 260 government schools in Chhattisgarh have no teachers, while more than 12,000 schools are dependent on a single teacher.
The Congress leader further claimed that the functioning of the Swami Atmanand schools had deteriorated.
According to Baij, instead of addressing shortages in the education system, the government was allegedly involving students in political programmes.
Congress Questions BJP’s Education Record
Baij also alleged that more than 94,000 government schools had been closed across the country under the Modi government.
He claimed that the Chhattisgarh government had closed 10,463 schools and reduced the minimum sanctioned number of teachers in government schools, resulting in the elimination of more than 54,000 posts.
The Congress leader challenged the BJP to include the condition of government schools and declining educational standards in its proposed 25-year report card.
Congress Says Children Should Not Be Used for Politics
Baij accused the BJP of attempting to use schoolchildren to increase attendance at political events.
“The BJP is using schoolchildren as political pawns because it fears empty chairs at its rallies and programmes. This is a misuse of administrative power and an injustice to children’s childhood. Instead of shaping their future, the government wants to involve them in political promotion.” — Deepak Baij, Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee President
The Congress has demanded that children be kept away from political programmes and that the government focus instead on teacher vacancies, school infrastructure and educational quality.
BJP vs Congress: Major Points of Conflict
| Issue | BJP’s Position | Congress’ Response |
|---|---|---|
| Seva Sankalp | Grassroots service and public outreach | Political promotion using government machinery |
| Youth | Congress allegedly spreading dissatisfaction | BJP allegedly failing to address youth concerns |
| Tribal Development | BJP says it is prioritising tribal welfare | Congress questions BJP’s record |
| Bastar | Development after reduction of Left-wing extremism | Congress focuses on governance and public services |
| Tendu Leaves | ₹5,500 per standard bag procurement under current government | Congress disputes BJP’s broader governance claims |
| Education | Focus on development and welfare | Congress alleges teacher shortages and school closures |
| Schoolchildren | BJP’s outreach programme | Congress objects to alleged political involvement of students |
| Farmers | Greater outreach and implementation of schemes | Congress challenges government performance |
Political Battle Intensifies Ahead of Organisational Campaign
The developments indicate that the BJP and Congress are preparing for an intensified political contest in Chhattisgarh, with both parties seeking to establish their narrative on governance, tribal welfare, youth issues, farmers, education and Bastar’s development.
The BJP is focusing on organisational consolidation and presenting its welfare and development initiatives at the grassroots level.
The Congress, meanwhile, is attempting to challenge the government’s claims by focusing on education, administrative functioning and what it describes as the misuse of government machinery for political purposes.
With the BJP’s month-long Seva Sankalp campaign scheduled to begin on September 17, political activity and public outreach are expected to intensify across the state.
