Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, on November 2, criticized the Congress and claimed that Akbar holds more importance for the Chhattisgarh Congress than Bhupesh Baghel. Himanta Biswa Sarma remarked, "Congress complained against me when I spoke about Akbar. It would have made sense to file a complaint if I had spoken something against TS Singh Deo or Baghel or any Congress leader. I think, for the Chhattisgarh Congress, Akbar is more important than Bhupesh Baghel. Why is Akbar so dear to you (Congress)?"
On October 26, the Election Commission of India (ECI) issued a show-cause notice to Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma regarding his speech during the Chhattisgarh poll campaign in Kawardha. The show-cause notice from the Election Commission stated that certain portions of Himanta Biswa Sarma's speech on October 18 were "prima facie violative." The Assam Chief Minister also discussed the BJP manifesto for the Chhattisgarh election. He stated, "The manifesto released by BJP will be pure gold, BJP will take the right decision at the right time, this time BJP will release a good manifesto, wait a little, a much better manifesto will be released."
He further added, "Bhupesh Baghel's name is being replaced in this year's elections; Congress is gradually removing him from the post of CM as BJP is going to form the government in Chhattisgarh." Regarding alleged religious conversion in Chhattisgarh, Sarma commented, "Conversion is not an issue in Chhattisgarh; it is a social issue and a significant one. This is a criminal conspiracy happening against us. If Chhattisgarh has to be saved, there must be some strong legislation against conversion. Conversion should not be driven by greed. If I question the Chief Minister, Bhupesh Baghel himself will be against conversion."
Chhattisgarh is set to hold elections in two phases in November. The first phase, on November 7, will cover 20 seats in Chhattisgarh, with the remaining 70 seats going to the polls on November 17. The vote count will take place on December 3. The Chhattisgarh elections will be contested on 90 assembly seats, with both major contenders, the BJP and Congress, having finalized their lists of 90 candidates for the state. In the 2018 assembly polls, Congress achieved a significant victory, securing 68 out of 90 seats against the incumbent BJP, which secured 15 seats.
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