With multiple CM claimants, Grand Old Party has a problem of plenty
Even as it celebrates winning the Assembly polls in the BJP-ruled Hindi heartland of Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan and possibly Madhya Pradesh, the Grand Old Party the Congress is faced with the problem of plenty with multiple claimants to the chief ministerial chair in all the three states.
In Chhattisgarh, where the Congress stormed to power after 15 years dismantling the Raman Singh-led BJP, the race for the hot seat is primarily between state party chief Bhupesh Baghel, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly TS Singh Deo and party’s lone Lok Sabha MP from the state, Tamradhwaj Sahu. Besides the trio, former Union Minister in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s cabinet, Charan Das Mahant, is also said to be in the reckoning.
A former state minister, Baghel who is all set to retain his Patan constituency, is said to be leading the chief ministerial race. On the flip side though, he has been indicted and was arrested by the CBI for allegedly distributing a “fake sleaze video” featuring a BJP state minister. Currently out on bail,
While in Chhattisgarh, Congress’s Bhupesh Baghel, TS Singh Deo, Tamradhwaj Sahu are strong contenders for the state’s coveted post, Rajasthan has Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot top claimants; and Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia vie for the CM post in Madhya Pradesh.
there was speculation of him being replaced following his arrest in September ahead of the Assembly polls.
Political pundits are also betting on Sahu, perceived as the “blue-eyed boy” of Congress president Rahul Gandhi. He is the chief of Congress’ state OBC unit and his elevation, many believe, could help in wooing OBC voters for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
Asked to comment on who will be the CM, both Baghel and Deo, who is also on his way to retain his Ambikapur constituency, said the decision rests with the central leadership and there was “no competition” between them.
The situation is similar in Rajasthan, where former CM and veteran Ashok Gehlot is in the contention for the hot seat alongside state party chief Sachin Pilot.
In the buildup to the polls, there were murmurs the party was inclined to field only one of them with a view to avoiding a tussle. However, the party subsequently fielded both—Gehlot retaining traditional Sardarpura seat and Pilot, in his maiden assembly polls, got the better of lone Muslim BJP candidate Yoonus Khan from Tonk constituency.
Considered an experienced administrator, two-time CM Gehlot appears to have the edge over Pilot. On the other hand, Pilot, son of late Congress veteran Rajesh Pilot, is considered more popular at the grassroots level and is also being credited for lifting the party’s fortunes.
While both Gehlot and Pilot parried media queries regarding who would be the chief minister, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said in Jaipur the party will decide the issue at a meeting of the newly-elected legislators on Wednesday.
In MP, where the party is shy of the magical figure in the 230-member Assembly but is confident of forming a government, it has two of its prominent leaders, Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia, in the fray for the top post.