After Punjab and Rajasthan now trouble is brewing for the Congress in another of its ruling States, Chhattisgarh, where a demand for change in leadership has gained momentum. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel rushed to the national Capital on Sunday and called on the party chief Sonia Gandhi to “discuss” the issue.
After holding a meeting with the party high command, Baghel said, “The high command instructed me to take the oath (as Chief Minister), so I took the oath. When they say someone else will be the Chief Minister, then it will be so. Such (change in leadership) agreements happen in a coalition Government. The Congress has a three-fourth majority in Chhattisgarh”.
Baghel’s comments are significant in the wake of reports that Health Minister TS Singh Deo wants the high command to “honour” the rotation formula of changing the CM after two-and-a-half years that was supposed to have been agreed to in December 2018.
Baghel also met AICC general secretaries Pawan Bansal, KC Venugopal, PL Punia and Priyanka Gandhi.
Clearing the air on the controversy, AICC incharge of Chhattisgarh PL Punia said there is no such formula of changing Chief Minister after a few years.
“As Bhupesh Baghel also cleared these things, there is no such understanding or any formula. There is no point in such a formula as the Congress has a three-fourth majority in Chhattisgarh. Such an agreement happens in coalition Governments,” said Punia.
Priyanka who was present at Sonia’s residence during the meeting also discussed next year’s Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh.
Baghel is likely to be given major responsibility for the UP Assembly elections as well.
Speaking to the media, Baghel also said that he was ready to take up responsibilities for the Assembly elections in UP. Baghel was made incharge of the Assembly elections in Assam and his strategy was appreciated within the party though the party could not fare well.
In April, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister’s parliamentary advisor, Rajesh Tiwari, who played a key role in the Congress’ Assam campaign, was appointed an All India Congress Committee secretary for UP.
During the recent panchayat polls in the State, party workers from Chhattisgarh had gone for booth management, organising workers’ meetings among other things.
