Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Wednesday said that former Rajya Sabha member Ramadhar Kashyap played a leading role in the movement to crate a separate Chhattisgarh state.

He was addressing an event organized to mark the first death anniversary and release of a book on Kashyap at the Lakhiram Agrawal Memorial Auditorium in Bilaspur, an official          communication said.

Baghel said Kashyap was a simple person and easy going. He was influenced by Dr Khoobchand Baghel in the creation of Chhattisgarh. Kashyap’s contribution will always remain memorable.

The Chief Minister pledged to install a statue of Kashyap in Bilaspur city.

Assembly Speaker Dr Charan Das Mahant said Kashyap’s fight and struggle to carve out Chhattisgarh will always be cherished.

The Chief Minister       felicitated Mannulal Sahu and Sushil Bhole, close    associates of Kashyap, by presenting shawl and Shriphal.