‘Resentment is brewing against corrupt Congress'

FORMER chief minister Raman Singh says BJP is confident of returning to power in Chhattisgarh. The Ayurvedic doctor turned-politician tells Ejaz Kaiser that Congress will be defeated for "betraying" the people. Excerpts:

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Congress has cited ED raids against alleged scams as an attempt to defame CM Bhupesh Baghel and his government. Will that affect the poll results?

Corruption and scams have remained the Congress government's hallmark in the last five years. Every department and all schemes are operating under the patronage of the chief minister. Posting of collectors/SPs are like an auction of IPL players. The investigating agencies of the state haven't acted and scams continue unabated. PM Narendra Modi-led Centre has adopted zero-tolerance against corruption following which the independent agencies carried out probes.

How challenging are the elections this time postBJP drubbing in 2018?

The results of the 2018 elections will go down as "exceptional" since no one expected such an outcome when the state actually was moving ahead on the growth trajectory under the BJP rule. The poll results then reflected the people's choice largely owing to anti-incumbency. The Congress used the situation through a conspiracy floating a 'make-believe' manifesto aimed at all segments but later deceived them. The Congress took oath on holy 'Ganga Jal' knowing such pledges can't be fulfilled in five years. There is a strong resentment growing against the Congress.

What's the BJP's mantra to win the polls?