Despite Bilaspur being Congress stronghold, we failed to win enough seats from Bilaspur, said Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel while addressing Division level conference in Bilaspur on Wednesday.   

We won only two seats in Bilaspur, we lost the election in Mungeli. In comparison to Bilaspur, Congress performance in the districts Raigarh, Korba and Janjgir was better.

Jogi responsible for Congress’ bad performance in Bilaspur: Baghel

He blamed former CM Ajit Jogi for the Congress’ inferior performance in Bilaspur and said, in coming elections, Congress has to rectify its scorecard.

He indicated the quitting of Jogi from Congress proved a boon for the party in assembly elections 2018.

Whatever transformation it was seen in the Congress party in Chhattisgarh is due to the resignation of Jogi from the party.

Congress did not win because of Jogi, says Baghel

As long as he was in the Congress, the Congress did not win the elections. People started saying Congress will be blessed again with people’s mandate only if Jogi is removed from the party. After being removed from the Congress, the government was formed in Chhattisgarh with a majority, then won all the three by-elections (Chitrakoot, Dantewada and Marwahi), CM Baghel said.

For making this significant contribution to the Congress party, I thank Ajit Jogi ji again and again, the CM said.

But the coming days are bright from the Congress party, the CM said.

BJP afraid of Rahul Gandhi: Baghel

Now, his focus is how to make the party stronger and improve its performance in the coming assembly election. Therefore, after the Bilaspur conference, the Division level conference will be held in Durg, the CM indicated and clarified that his agenda is to overcome the hurdles so the party becomes stronger. However, after spe­a­k­ing on party affairs, the CM attacked BJP and said, BJP is afraid of Rahul Gandhi.

He also taunted Amit Shah visit and said, last time Shah gave slogan 65 paar, it was for the Congress.

Dr. Charandas Mahant, Speaker of Chhattisgarh Assembly also addressed the conference and said, there are 24 seats in the Bilaspur division, but due BSP incre­ased strength, the contest became triangular and Congress started losing elections.

However, apart from speaking on seat equation, Mahant remembered, Congress former State President Nandkumar Patel and his son’s martyrdom in Jheeram ghati massacre.

He appealed to the congressmen to work hard to ensure the victory.

Tickets will be given based on survey: Markram

Meanwhile, during the session, State President Mohan Markam made it clear, tickets will be provided to the potential aspirants based on survey report and their presence in the ground.

He also taunted that for four and half years, the BJP leaders were inside their burrows but now as the elections approached closer, the BJP leaders started mushrooming.

Congress in-charge Selja also addressed the audience and appealed to them to work unitedly to form the Congress government.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Egypt this month, following his trip to the United States, to strengthen collaboration in various areas, including security and renewable energy. The visit aims to build upon the positive outcomes of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s visit to India earlier this year. The visit is set to be brief, with the Prime Minister travelling to Egypt immediately after concluding his state visit to the US on June 24, stated a report.

Background

President El-Sisi’s participation as the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations in January marked a significant milestone in the bilateral relationship. Although Egypt and India have shared a close bond since their joint involvement in the Non-Aligned Movement in 1961, this was the first time an Egyptian leader had been hosted for the Republic Day celebrations.

Despite President El-Sisi’s multiple visits to India, a reciprocal high-level visit from the Indian side had been pending since 2020 when a planned visit was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cooperation in Key Areas

Defense, Security, and Renewable Energy:

Cooperation in defense and security, along with a focus on renewable energy, particularly green hydrogen, are pivotal aspects of the bilateral relationship.

Both countries signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance defense cooperation last year, facilitating joint exercises. Egypt has expressed interest in procuring 70 fighter jets, including India’s indigenous light combat aircraft, Tejas.

Additionally, Egypt has established agreements with Indian firms, aiming to invest over $21 billion in green hydrogen production.

Inter-Faith Dialogue and Combating Extremism

Promoting inter-faith dialogue and addressing issues like radicalization and extremism have been integral to the bilateral engagement. In May, the Grand Mufti of Egypt, Shawki Ibrahim Abdel-Karim Allam, visited India and held productive meetings with religious leaders, emphasizing the shared commitment to fostering peace and harmony.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday sent top varieties of the state’s mangoes to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She has been continuing this practice for several years despite her fractured relationship with the Union Government. The seasonal fruit was also sent to Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, a well-placed source said. “The mangoes were sent in decorative boxes. The boxes contain Himsagar, Fazli, Langra and Laxman Bhog variety of mangoes,” the source said. According to a reliable source, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud also received seasonal fruit.

“Decorative boxes were used to ship the mangoes. According to the source, the boxes include Himsagar, Fazli, Langra, and Laxman Bhog varieties of mangoes. In a few days, the boxes will reach New Delhi. Last year, she sent mangoes to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi as well as her Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal. Reportedly, she began the tradition in 2011 when she first became CM.

Banerjee had sent PM Modi a kurta-pyjama and treats

CM Banerjee presents PM Modi sweets in addition to mangoes. Modi disclosed in 2019 that the TMC chief sent a kurta-pyjama and sweets on the occasion of Durga Puja. “I have many friends in opposition parties. You will be surprised to know that Mamata didi even now personally selects one or two kurtas for me every year,” he stated in an interview with Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar.