Another tape featuring C’garh Congress chief

A new audio tape, containing purported conversations between Chhattisgarh Congress president Bhupesh Baghel and Firoz Siddhiqui, a former loyalist of former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi, has surfaced, bringing to fore fissures in the party’s state unit.

In the tape, Baghel could be heard offering a position in the party to Siddhiqui if he agrees to leak to an English newspaper another audio tape containing conversations about “fixing” Antagarh by-poll.

In the tape, Siddhiqui is heard seeking protection for him and his family from Baghel. Baghel could be heard telling Siddhiqui that “if there is an attack on you, I will protect you. To protect you, I will make you General Secretary (of State Congress).” 

Baghel also says he will not give Siddhiqui the party post just now, otherwise it would appear he was rewarded for leaking the tapes.

The state Congress said there was nothing objectionable in the new tape, while Siddhiqui said he recorded the conversations between him and Baghel on December 9 last year.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took a dig at the Congress, saying the new tape has proved that differences existed among key leaders of the Opposition.

Jogi said the conversations revealed how a conspiracy was hatched against him and his son Amit, who has been expelled from Congress after the first tape surfaced.