Will stop at 54-56 seats: BJP's former Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh predicts easy win

Senior BJP leader and former Chhattisgarh CM Dr. Raman Singh has predicted BJP's win with a clear majority in the assembly elections. Ahead of the voting in the second phase on November 17, Singh said that his party is already ahead of rival Congress in constituencies that voted in the first phase on November 7.

In an exclusive conversation with Republic TV on November 16, Singh said that the BJP will win 14 seats out of 20 from the first phase. 

“Voting on 20 seats took place in the first phase and the voters have shown support in favour of the BJP. We are ahead in at least 14 seats out of 20. So BJP's progress has already begun. In phase 2, I toured Bastar and Surguja and visited places like Bilaspur and it seems like there is a spectacular undercurrent at the grassroots level. And BJP is in the condition to form the government with a clear majority,” Singh said. 

He went on to predict that the BJP is winning at least 40-42 seats out of 70 in the second phase and around 56 seats in total. 

“Our condition is clear that the BJP will stop at around 54-56 seats (out of 90),” he told Republic. 

When asked about the increased popularity of the BJP, the former CM said that the unfulfilled promises made by the Congress party have been a big factor. 

“Women are enraged because they promised a liquor ban. (CM) Bhupesh Baghel promised unemployment incentives to 10 lakh people. Rs 500 pension to women was promised. Bhupesh Baghel promised to provide four cylinders free of cost, but all of them were unfulfilled,” the BJP leader said. “He (Baghel) again jumped with new promises when the ones made in 2018 are unfulfilled.”

He also slammed the Congress government over corruption accusing it of making Chhattisgarh the most corrupt state in India. 

“I don't think such level of corruption takes place in any other state. Forty per cent of liquor is sold without a hallmark on the directions of the government. It is now clear in the Mahadev app (case). The app's owner is screaming that he paid Rs 508 crore to Bhupesh Baghel and we can see the misuse of that money in the elections,” he said. 

Singh further hit out at the ruling government over the alleged Public Service Commission (PSC) scam in the state and claimed that Congress used to appoint District Collectors and SPs after receiving crores of rupees in bribes. 

“There is anger among the women and the youth and this anger will be visible in the first and second phases,” he said. Notably, Singh wrote a letter to PM Narendra Modi in October seeking a CBI enquiry into the alleged Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPSC) scam. 

He was also questioned about his popularity and his role in the BJP to which he replied, “I have no conditions. Whatever the party decides, I am always ready to follow it. Dr. Raman will always bear the responsibilities handed over by the party.”

On his involvement in Chhattisgarh politics and helping the BJP expand itself, Singh said, “I was involved in election rallies till the last day. I completed the task assigned to me by the party and I am happy that it created a positive environment in Chhattisgarh.”