In a sharp political attack, Pankaj Kumar Jha, media advisor to Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai, accused former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel of misusing public funds to create the Rajiv Mitan Club, referring to it as Baghel’s "private army." Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Jha alleged that the club was formed at the expense of public resources for Baghel’s personal political ambitions.

Allegations of Misuse of Public Funds

Jha posted, “Every issue raised by the BJP during the elections was grounded in reality. One such issue was the creation of the so-called Rajiv Mitan Club, which is essentially Bhupesh Baghel’s private army funded by taxpayers’ money.” He shared a news clipping supporting his claims and criticized Baghel for allegedly forming an "unlawful organization" across the state. Jha claimed the club was created to serve Baghel personally rather than the government or his party. "Even Congress leaders disagree with him on this matter," Jha added, alleging that public funds were squandered to promote Baghel's individual interests.

Internal Party Criticism

Jha further alleged that Baghel’s moves have sparked discontent within the Congress party itself. According to him, Baghel’s initiative to establish a parallel organization through the Rajiv Mitan Club was viewed as an attempt to overshadow the party and consolidate his personal influence. “Today, when Baghel no longer has access to public funds, he has officially declared the club as his own private entity. Reports suggest that even Congress leaders view this as Baghel trying to outshine the party and prove himself larger than the organization,” Jha remarked.

Speculation of Regional Party Formation

Drawing parallels with the late Ajit Jogi, Jha predicted that Baghel might be moving towards forming a separate regional party. “Just as the predictions about Ajit Jogi came true, there is sufficient reason to believe that Bhupesh Baghel is gradually working towards creating his own regional political outfit,” he said.

Political Implications

These remarks come amid ongoing political tensions in Chhattisgarh, with the BJP and Congress frequently clashing over governance issues. Jha’s statements reflect a broader strategy by the BJP to question Baghel's leadership and policies while highlighting alleged misuse of public funds. As the debate unfolds, the controversy surrounding the Rajiv Mitan Club is expected to remain a contentious topic, further intensifying the political rivalry in the state.

भाजपा ने चुनाव के दौरान जितने भी मुद्दे उठाये थे, उनमें से एक भी ऐसे नहीं हैं, जो आधारहीन रहे हों। अनेक बार पार्टी ने यह कहा कि शासन के खर्चे पर, जनता की गाढ़ी कमाई से बना हुआ कथित ‘राजीव मितान क्लब’ वास्तव में @bhupeshbaghel जी की निजी सेना है, जो वे प्रदेश में बनाना चाहते हैं।… pic.twitter.com/EbgHUnvehT

— पंकज कुमार झा (@pankaj_media) December 1, 2024