Kanker, November 10: As Chattisgarh Assembly Elections 2018 are around the corner, the political atmosphere in the poll-bound state have started to heat up already. While addressing a rally in Kanker, Congress president Rahul Gandhi has launched a fresh salvo at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister of the state Raman Singh. Gandhi alleged that Singh was involved in Rs 5,000 crore chit-fund scam. He said, “Modi ji says he's fighting against corruption. But when he comes to Chhattisgarh, he doesn't tell you the CM is corrupt. Your Rs 5000 Cr disappeared in chit-fund scam, 310 FIRs were registered but no action was taken because CM was involved.”

The Congress president also accused the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) government of looting the people of the state through PDS scam. During the rally, he said, “2nd is PDS Scam. Rs 36,000 Cr of the people of Chhattisgarh was looted. Diary mili, diary mein likha tha 'CM Madam ko paisa diya. Dr sahab ko paisa diya.' I ask Raman Singh ji who is this CM Madam & Dr sahab whose names were found in the diary in connection with the scam.” Chhattisgarh Assembly Elections 2018 Full Schedule And Dates: Polling in 2 Phases, November 12 & 20, Counting of Votes on 11 December.

The Congress president attacked the chief minister for not taking action against his son after his name appeared in Panama papers. Gandhi stated, “If the CM doesn't want to answer that then he should explain to the people of Chhattisgarh why is no action taken against his son, whose name appeared in Panama papers? In Pakistan, the PM is jailed because his name appeared in Panama papers.”

Earlier in the day, the BJP released the manifesto in Chhattisgarh ahead of the assembly elections in the state. Part president Amit Shah and the CM of the state were present at the event. Shah, speaking at the manifesto conference, came down heavily on the Congress party for terming Naxals as "revolutionaries", taking a dig at Congress leader Raj Babbar's recent comment on Naxals. The BJP President praised Raman Singh government for the "development" in the state.

The first phase of assembly elections in the state will take place for 18 constituencies on November 12, while the second phase for the remaining seats will be held on November 20. The result of the elections will be declared on December 11, along with other four states – Rajasthan, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 10, 2018 02:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).