Cong stands with govt but Trump acting as referee 'insulting': Baghel

Raipur: Former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday said that while Congress stands with the govt's decision for a ceasefire, the declaration by US President Trump was disappointing and ‘insulting' in how he acted as a ‘referee'.

Congress national general secretary Baghel was, upon his return from a Bihar tour, addressing the media on various issues on Sunday when he made the remarks. Expressing his views on the ceasefire announcement, he stated that the ceasefire declaration by the US President was disappointing for the people of the country.

He remarked that while the decision for a ceasefire was taken by both govts, it was ‘insulting' that the announcement came from the US President. He opined that it would have been different if either of the involved govts had made the announcement.

Baghel termed the ‘direction from Donald Trump' as disrespectful, recalling that in 1971, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi asserted that no third country would interfere.

While acknowledging that mediation could be done by anyone, he criticised the US President for acting as a ‘referee' in this case.

The Congress leader reiterated the party's demand for a special session of Parliament, stating that the nation wants to know how such circumstances arose. He clarified that the Congress has no objection to the govt's decision to stop aerial warfare and was ready for any steps it takes in this direction.

‘Amount For PMAY Reduced From 1.3L to 1.2L'

Responding to deputy chief minister Vijay Sharma's statement inviting Congress leaders to sit with him on the PM Awas issue, former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel said, "They should fix the stage, place, and time. Congress people will accept the challenge." He pointed out that the amount given for PM Awas earlier was Rs 1.30 lakh, which has now been reduced to Rs 1.20 lakh. Baghel also mentioned that the demand in the State Assembly on the issue has been to provide Rs 2.50 lakh for the same while interacting with media.