Mahant clarifies: Going Delhi not to complain

Raipur, June 29, 2013

In the backdrop of reports that Union minister of state and acting PCC chief Charandas Mahant will complain to high command against Ajit Jogi faction for fielding independent candidate in Keshkal bypoll and snatching victory from the party, the former on Saturday dismissed any such possibility and clarified that he was rather going to New Delhi to give information about organisation’s structure and activities to state unit’s incharge BK Hariprasada. “I will not complain against anybody as is rumoured,” he said while talking to scribes after holding three meetings at Congress Bhawan.

He said the organizational expansion was likely in the offing as Hariprasada was interested in appointing a few more vice presidents and general secretaries in PCC.

Asked whether the party was in low spirit after its debacle in Keshkal and Bagbahra bypolls as assembly polls were ahead, he said such results would not affect party’s performance in the upcoming elections.

When pointed that Rs 60 hike in paddy MSP was only marginal he did not make any effort in mounting pressure on Centre to increase paddy MSP up to Rs 2000 per quintal as was promised by state Congress, Mahant said it would surely happen but when Congress would come to power in Chhattisgarh.

asked why being union minister of state for agriculture he did not mount pressure on Centre to increase paddy MSP up to Rs 2000 per quintal

Asked his take over Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi’s vow to give 50% representation to women in AICC and other party wings, he said such move was welcoming and would really give opportunity to women to come forward and play a bigger role in politics.

When pointed towards BJP’s comment that Congress was copying it, Mahant said it was vice versa and BJP was copying Congress.

‘Who is this Nadda, sadda, adda asking me questions?’

When indicated that Chhattisgarh BJP incharge Jagat Prakash Nadda had held Congress responsible for rise in naxalism in state, Mahant asked – ‘Who is this Nadda, sadda, adda, asking me questions without knowledge’.

Asked his take over BJP’s reaction on Congress demand to remove nodal officer engaged with national investigation team (NIA) to probe Darbha incident, Mahant said the Congress put such demand because ADG (Intelligence) Mukesh Gupta did not deserve to coordinate with the probe agency as nodal officer.

“While ADG (naxal operations) RK Vij was sleeping till 7:30 pm when Maoists attacked Congress parivartan yatra convoy at Jiram valley in Darbha region on May 25, another top cop - ADG (Intelligence) Mukesh Gupta did not provide security to the yatra despite knowing in advance about naxal movement in Darbha. If Gupta remains nodal officer then he is likely to affect the probe and hence we want the government to remove him,” he said.