BJP taking advantage of Baghel, Singh Deo rift

At a time when internal strife for the CM’s chair in Chhattisgarh is growing bitter and shriller, BJP organized a ‘Chintan Shivir’ in Jagdalpur, Bastar to devise foolproof strategy for the next assembly election in 2023. Despite it being BJP’s first of such session in the tribal-dominated and Maoisthit district, after the meeting, BJP leaders were spotted cheering and dancing.

Sources said BJP, which was in power between 2003 and 2018 in Chhattisgarh, had initiated Mission 2023 to energise its cadre and tap the vast tribal belt. Notably, before the 2018 assembly poll, BJP consistently lost its entire influence on the tribal seats of Sarguja, Bastar, Durg and was finally voted out of power.

However, after the BJP’s ‘Chinan Shivir’, the way BJP leaders were spotted dancing and cheering, it was speculated by a section of the media BJP may have seen light at the end of the tunnel following the continuous strife between Baghel and TS Singh Deo. Sources said BJP may field tribal or some OBC candidates to counter the CM’s policies and strategies.

Political analysts said if the infighting continues within Chhattisgarh Congress, attempts to destabilize Bhupesh Baghel government will get steam and in such a situation, the Congress will have nobody but itself to blame.

In the last two and half years, Baghel emerged as a strong OBC leader in the state and remained successful in promoting local pride. His pro-poor and pro-farmer policies managed to keep the BJP silent. However, the rift has been a shot in the arm for the saffron camp to reconnect with its votebank.