CONG CONUNDRUM CONTINUES
It’s turbulent times for the Congress government in states like Punjab, Chhattisgarh. To an extent, in Rajasthan, the simmering feeling of discontent is clearly evident. takes a ringside view to scan the situation and see what lies ahead…
NEW DELHI:
The Chhattisgarh row over the leadership is still not over, but Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel (60) on Saturday once again exuded confidence of being victorious in defeating an attempt by his Health Minister TS Singh Deo (68) to stake claim over the chief ministership by rotation as part of deal in 2018, which has been denied by the leadership.
Returning home after a long session with former Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday, he told reporters in Raipur that Rahul is visiting the state next week and he would be taken across the state, including Bastar, central and north Chhattisgarh to himself witness the development done by his government for tribals, women, farmers, youth, the poor and the small industries.
The sources said Baghel was successful in showing the majority of the MLAs are with him and Singh Deo does not have the numbers to destabilise him. The muchawaited meeting between Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and the Congress leadership on Friday ended with the CM hinting there would be no rotation in the post, thus temporarily putting an “end” to the brewing crisis in the state Congress unit.
GOVT IN TURMOIL
The government had been in a turmoil since June over claims that an informal deal had been struck in 2018 that senior state Congress leader TS Singh Deo would succeed Baghel as the CM after the latter had completed twoand-a-half years in office.
After Friday’s meeting, Baghel told the media that he has invited Rahul Gandhi to Chhatisgarh, to “inspect the various projects and works there” being implemented by the state government and that the latter has accepted the invitation. “I told him (Rahul Gandhi) everything. There were political, as well state administrative discussions. In the end, I requested Rahul Gandhi to visit Chhattisgarh. He gladly accepted the invitation, he will be there next week,” Baghel said. Bhagel’s statements have been greeted with silence in the TS Deo camp.
IMPORTANCE OF BOTH LEADERS
Both leaders have important roles to play in the party. While Baghel is a popular OBC face in the state, Singh Deo had led much of the Congress’ campaigning in 2018.
Asked by the media about a potential change in the state leadership after two-and-a-half years of him leading the Chhattisgarh government as the CM, Baghel said, “PL Punia has already clarified this, I don’t need to say anything further. I have told my leader whatever I wanted to.”