The 22-month-old Congress government works for the poor, farmers, workers, women, tribes and youth while 15 years of BJP rule saw big buildings come up in the interests of traders and capitalists, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said on Thursday.

The Congress government has also fulfilled the people's aspirations, he told a series of public meetings at Jogisaar and other villages of Marwahi Assembly constituency where a by-election is due on November 3.

Taking a dig at former Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh, Baghel said for the last 15 years he never visited Marwahi although he toured the state. The demand for the formation of the district of Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi was not fulfilled even when other districts were formed.

He said that it is after the Congress took power that a new district was formed in February 2020. With it, all administrative offices and hospitals were opened.

He said the BJP government had not met the demand for roads, stop-dams, schools and colleges during the last 15 years in this area. Now work on these projects had commenced.

The BJP government promised the farmers Rs 2,100 minimum support price and a bonus of Rs 300 per quintal but it is a Congress government which is procuring paddy at Rs 2,500 per quintal, Baghel pointed out.

Besides waiving off loans,  Rs 10,000 is being given to farmers under Rajiv Gandhi Nyay Yojana. It is the only government in the country to procure cow dung and pay for it, he said.

The state government has recruited 15,000 teachers while recruitment of police personnel, assistant professors and others is underway. Forest land rights are being given.

He urged the people to plant more fruit-bearing trees for forest minor produce so that food processing industries can be established. It will    generate employment locally.

The Chief Minister said his government has put money in the pocket of the poor due to which recession has not hit Chhattisgarh.

Baghel promised that the new district will be promoted as a ‘Tourism District’.