Chief ministership of Bhupesh Baghel

The Chief ministership of Bhupesh Baghel refers to the tenure of Bhupesh Baghel as the 3rd Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh from 17 December 2018 to 3 December 2023. Under his leadership, the Indian National Congress returned to power in Chhattisgarh after 15 years, winning 68 out of 90 seats in the 2018 Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly election.

His administration was characterized by a focus on the "Chhattisgarh Model" of development, prioritizing the rural economy, agriculture, and tribal welfare.

Background

The 2018 election in Chhattisgarh was held after 15 years of uninterrupted rule by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) under Raman Singh. Bhupesh Baghel, who had taken over as the President of the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee (CPCC) in 2014, was credited with rebuilding the party organization following the 2013 Naxal attack in Darbha valley, which had wiped out the senior leadership of the state Congress.

The Congress campaign in 2018 focused heavily on rural distress, agrarian issues, and the promise of a farm loan waiver and a significant hike in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for paddy to ₹2,500 per quintal. This "rural-centric" manifesto led to a massive shift in the OBC and tribal vote bank towards the Congress, resulting in a landslide victory where the party won 68 out of 90 seats, securing a two-thirds majority.

Baghel was selected as the Chief Minister over other contenders like T. S. Singh Deo, Tamradhwaj Sahu, and Charan Das Mahant after multiple rounds of discussions held by the Congress high command in New Delhi.

Economic policies and Agriculture

The Baghel government's core strategy involved increasing the disposable income of farmers and rural laborers through direct income support schemes.

Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana (RGKNY)

Launched on 21 May 2020, this flagship scheme provided direct cash transfers to farmers as an incentive for crop production. By 2023, the scheme had disbursed over ₹20,000 crore to approximately 2.4 million farmers across the state.

Godhan Nyay Yojana

In July 2020, Chhattisgarh became the first state in India to purchase cow dung at ₹2 per kg from cattle rearers. This dung was used to produce vermicompost in "Gauthans" (dedicated cattle sheds), which were promoted as rural industrial parks.

Suraji Gaon Yojana

This scheme focused on the conservation and development of four elements of the rural ecosystem: Narva (rivulets), Garuwa (livestock), Ghurwa (compost), and Bari (backyard cultivation).

Social welfare and Education

Swami Atmanand Excellent English Medium Schools

To bridge the gap between private and public education, the government established premium English-medium schools with modern infrastructure. Over 400 such schools were set up, benefiting children from economically weaker sections with free quality education.

Haat Bazaar Clinic Yojana

Mobile medical units were deployed to weekly village markets (Haat Bazaars) in tribal and remote areas. By 2023, the scheme had served over 1 crore people in inaccessible forest regions.

Forest Rights and Tribal Welfare

The government focused on the strict implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), distributing record numbers of land titles to forest dwellers. The purchase of minor forest produce (MFP) was expanded, and the MSP was significantly hiked.

Cultural Promotion

The Baghel administration emphasized "Chhattisgarhi Pride" (Chhattisgarhiya Waad) to distinguish the state's identity.

  • State Anthem: "Arpa Pairi Ke Dhar," composed by Narendra Dev Verma, was officially declared the state anthem in November 2019.
  • Ram Van Gaman Tourism Circuit: A mega project was launched to develop nine sites associated with the exile path of Lord Ram in Chhattisgarh.

Controversies and Allegations of Corruption

The latter half of Baghel's tenure was marked by multiple high-profile investigations by central agencies into alleged scams, which became central themes in the 2023 Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly election campaign.

Liquor Scam (Excise Scam)

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the state's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) investigated an alleged parallel excise system that reportedly caused a loss of over ₹3,000 crore to the state exchequer between 2019 and 2022. In December 2025, the ACB filed its eighth chargesheet naming Baghel's son, Chaitanya Baghel, as an accused, alleging he personally received ₹200–250 crore from the illegal proceeds.

Coal Levy Scam

The ED unearthed a racket that allegedly extorted an illegal levy of ₹25 per tonne of coal transported during 2020–2022, collecting approximately ₹540 crore. Saumya Chaurasia, a suspended deputy secretary in the CMO, was arrested for her alleged involvement in managing the syndicate.

Mahadev Betting App Case

In 2024, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the probe into the Mahadev online betting app scandal, subsequently naming Bhupesh Baghel as an accused in its FIR. Promoters of the app were accused of paying over ₹500 crore in "protection money" to political influencers.

PSC Scam and Nepotism

Allegations of irregularities in the 2021 Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPSC) recruitment led to multiple arrests by the CBI, including former chairman Taman Singh Sonwani. The agency alleged that Sonwani and others manipulated the selection process to favor relatives of senior bureaucrats.

Custom Milling and Other Allegations

  • Custom Milling Scam: The ED conducted raids related to alleged money laundering in paddy custom milling, targeting various business groups.
  • Ration and Gauthans: Allegations of corruption in the Godhan Nyay Yojana cow dung procurement were frequently raised by the opposition BJP leaders.

Public image and political style

Bhupesh Baghel cultivated an image of a "son of the soil" (Mati Putra), deeply rooted in the rural and agrarian culture of Chhattisgarh. This image was central to his governance and political communication throughout his tenure.

"Daun" and "Kaka"

Baghel became popularly known among the masses as "Bhupesh Kaka" (Uncle Bhupesh), a term that gained widespread traction through the slogan "Kaka Abhi Zinda Hai" (Kaka is still alive). This moniker reflected his approachable image and his effort to present himself as a protector of the state's interests. However, opposition leaders often criticized his "aggressive" political style, sometimes referring to him as "Daun" (a term for a powerful landlord), alleging an authoritarian approach to governance.

Promotion of Chhattisgarhi Identity

His tenure saw a systematic push for "Chhattisgarhiya sub-nationalism." He was frequently seen participating in traditional festivals like Hareli, playing indigenous games like Gedi, and promoting local cuisine (such as Basi). By declaring public holidays for local festivals and emphasizing the Chhattisgarhi language, he sought to create a distinct identity that resonated with the dominant OBC and tribal populations.

National Aspirations

During his chief ministership, Baghel emerged as a key troubleshooter and observer for the Congress party in other states like Assam, Uttar Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh. He was often projected as one of the few Congress Chief Ministers who successfully countered the BJP's narrative with a mix of regionalism and welfare schemes.

Exit from Office

Following the Congress party's defeat in the 2023 Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly election, Baghel submitted his resignation on 3 December 2023. He was succeeded by Vishnu Deo Sai of the BJP, who took oath on 13 December 2023.

See also

  • Baghel ministry
  • List of chief ministers of Chhattisgarh
  • 2018 Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly election
  • Politics of Chhattisgarh