BJP failed to develop Chhattisgarh even after 15 years' of rule: Congress

Congress leader Anand Sharma on Sunday took a jibe at Chief Minister Raman Singh-led Chhattisgarh government stating that the state remained underdeveloped even after 15 years of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rule. The state goes to polls tomorrow.

Sharma told ANI, "It has been 15 years that the BJP is in power in Chhattisgarh, but still the state is not counted in the list of developed regions of India. In terms of health infrastructure, Chhattisgarh is placed at the 21st position while in education it does not even make it in the top 15 places. If one looks at the unemployment rate, currently more than 25 lakhs of youths are without jobs."

He cornered the ruling NDA government at the Centre as well as the state government over the chief minister's son's name figuring in the Panama papers. "Why is the Prime Minister silent on the name of Raman Singh's son appearing in Panama Scam? Why is Raman Singh silent on this?" he questioned.

Touching upon alleged chit fund scam in the state, the Congress leader said that scores of people have been looted. "There is Chit fund scam in Chhattisgarh. Why no action has been taken on the scam?" he said.

Expressing anguish at the state government's performance, Sharma said: "Around 50 per cent of Chhattisgarh population is below the poverty line. Why wasn't the state developed even after it is so rich in the natural resources. Corruption and mining mafia have flourished in the state," he stated

As many as 18 assembly seats in eight districts of Chhattisgarh will go to polls tomorrow. The polling for remaining 72 seats will take place on November 20 and the counting of votes will take place on December 11.

Tight security arrangements are in place in the Naxal-affected areas of the state to ensure that no untoward incident occurs during the polling process.