Chhattisgarh CM Reveals the ‘Secret’ Behind Congress’ Clean-sweep

Bhupesh Baghel tells The Quint that Congress victory was not just due to anti-incumbency.

Bhupesh Bagel speaks to The Quint.

(Photo: The Quint)

The result of the Chhattisgarh Assembly elections surpassed all surveys and estimates, with the Congress winning 68 out of the 90 seats in the state Assembly. Bhupesh Baghel is being given the credit for this massive victory.

After taking over as the new chief minister of the state, Baghel says that Congress’ victory was not just due to anti-incumbency but due to the party organisational skills at the grassroots level.

Bhupesh Bagel open up to The Quint about Congress' strategies in the state.

‘Congress a Cadre-based Party’

"People say that Congress is only a mass-based and not a cadre-based party. However this isn't true," says Baghel.

“We trained 70-75 people from each Vidhan Sabha seat. We also chose workers on booth level. We trained them (workers) on the booth level. All big leaders joined it, including PL Punia, who helped form the booths.  All the leaders of the state joined booths and attended the programmes, which were held in scorching heat during the month of May. ”

Bhupesh Baghel, CM, Chhattisgarh

‘Not Just Anti-incumbency But Our Strength’

Bhagel also says that the training programme was initiated way before the elections. Even the booth-level workers were appointed well in advance.

“When the training programme got over we were convinced that we will defeat them (BJP). It was not just about anti-incumbency but our strength.”

Bhupesh Baghel, CM, Chhattisgarh

Election Machinery –Congress' Vs BJP?

There's talk of the BJP's election machinery in every election. It is said that Congress doesn’t not seem to possess that kind of machinery. Baghel says that he can't comment about other states, but in Chhattisgarh, he has built up a solid election machinery.

“In Chhattisgarh, we had a candidate in every booth. Earlier, you would not find our workers in many polling booths, even in Raipur. But this time, not a single polling booth existed where our workers were not present.”

Bhupesh Baghel, CM, Chhattisgarh

Due to this machinery, Baghel says, the Congress managed to secure a thumping victory in the state.

(This article was first published on Quint Hindi.)