Chhattisgarh BJP leader asks Bhupesh to get testosterone test over his remarks on ‘Manpasand App’ of liquor – Times of India

BJP leader Ajay Chandrakar (Left) and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel (Right)

RAIPUR: Launching a scathing attack on former chief minister and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel, over his comments on state government’s ‘Manpasand App’ dedicated to liquor market, the ruling party leader Ajay Chandrakar remarked, “Baghel should do politics like ‘Men’ else he should better go and get his testosterone test done.”
With a hashtag ‘#school band, scotch shuru’ on social media, Congress leader Baghel had criticized state excise department’s mobile based app which provides details of liquor shops, availability of different brands and its costs, and he also posted a clip of Chandrakar speaking on serving ‘real liquor’ over adulterated ones using the new ‘Manpasand app.’
Chandrakar in the video said, “It’s good that the app has launched and people will now be consuming real liquor and spare themselves from adulterated ones. Ban on liquor was never our issue, it was raised by Congress full of lies and false vow using Gangajal (to impose liquor ban).”
Baghel continued attacking the with his sarcastic comments on X and targeted PM Narendra Modi too, “We are the manufacturers, we will make them drink is the new slogan of BJP on alcohol consumption. Wah Modi ji! The scheme of ‘school bandh and scotch shuru’ under your guarantee and CM Vishnu Deo’s good governance is wonderful.”
Since Baghel had posted Chandrakar’s video clip, the BJP leader strongly reacted questioning Baghel’s political morality, “If Bhupesh Baghel has any political morality, then he should share my entire video on his social media account so that the Congress’ intention and Baghel’s views reach to the public on how he had promised of liquor ban to state. Bhupesh Baghel has gone hollow on issues, that he has to use an edited video to prove his point. I thought the former CM does politics like ‘men’. If he can’t, then should go and get a testosterone test done.” He repeated the statement.
Baghel, however, posted the full video of Chandrakar’s statement, though it’s authenticity cannot be verified. He also posted a clip of deputy CM Arun Sao reading out an order on procurement of videshi liquor via Chhattisgarh beverage corporation, so that the liquor lovers can easily get their favourite brands.
Triggering a verbal spat between the two, Chandrakar recalled about the multi-crore alleged liquor scam surfaced during the Congress regime and asked, “Whose close aides were involved in illegal liquor scam during the five years of Congress government and who all are in jail? The former chief minister should give a clarification on this via a video. ‘Previous Congress government was an alcoholic government.”
The issue on liquor escalated after the excise department launched ‘Manpasand app’ that would give details about the brands of liquor and its availability at specified shops with their prices online.
Besides, the previous Congress government had made a poll promise of imposing a ban on liquor, but couldn’t fulfil it though a committee was formed to implement the ban. Later, based on an income tax complaint, the Enforcement Directorate registered an ECIR on November 18, 2022, alleging that a liquor scam had come to light in Chhattisgarh worth multi-crores, involving IAS officers and other bureaucrats, followed by their arrests.