Congress seeks boycott of Chhattisgarh byelections

Raipur: Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee president Bhupesh Baghel has called for boycott of Assembly by-election to Antagarh (ST) seat, slated for September 13, by voters.

Mr Baghel, who has been in the dock ever since his tactic of nominating a candidate from the rival camp in the party for the by-election boomeranged following the latter’s withdrawal from poll race in the last minute, has once again landed himself in an unsavoury controversy when he issued an appeal to the voters of Antagarh either to boycott the election or opt for None of The Above option at the hausting.

Mr Baghel’s remarks have provided fodder to the ruling BJP to attack Congress on the eve of the by-elections.

“It is most unfortunate that a senior leader of a national party was calling for boycott of elections. Mr Baghel is speaking the language of Naxals who also make similar calls before every election,” CM Raman Singh said.