Chhattisgarh Congress President Post Sparks Tensions Between Bhupesh Baghel & TS Singh Deo

Raipur: Tensions are escalating within the Chhattisgarh Congress as former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and former Health Minister TS Singh Deo vie for influence in the party’s leadership amidst mounting pressure after the party's dismal performance in recent civic body elections. Now the spotlight is on the Congress State President position, the internal conflict appears to have intensified.

Following the Congress Party's disappointing results, there have been indications of a potential shift in state leadership, with TS Singh Deo emerging as a major contender for the position of state Congress president. Charan Das Mahant has publicly expressed a desire to contest the next assembly elections under Singh Deo’s leadership, suggesting a possible coalition and support for Singh Deo within the party.

As the political landscape shifts, various names are being floated for the role. Baghel is reportedly backing nominee MLA Inder Shah Mandavi from Mohla Manpur and former minister Amarjeet Bhagat. Meanwhile, former PWD Minister Shiv Dahariya has also started lobbying for the position, advocating for a candidate from the Scheduled Caste community.

In response to the growing speculation, TS Singh Deo emphasized that the selection of the candidate should be based on leadership qualities rather than caste, position, or other factors. This statement highlights the complexities of regional politics in Chhattisgarh, where caste dynamics often play a critical role in leadership selection.

Sources indicate that Dahariya and Bhagat have traveled to Delhi to influence the Congress high command, underscoring the importance of caste considerations in their lobbying efforts. Concurrently, Bhupesh Baghel is also in Delhi amid this political upheaval, seeking to consolidate his position.

The Congress party’s challenges have compounded since it faced significant losses in both the assembly and Lok Sabha elections, alongside the recent urban body election outcomes, increasing the pressure on the high command to appoint a new state president.

Several other prominent figures, including former state president Mohan Markam, MLA Lakheshwar Baghel, former MLA Santram Netam, and Phulidevi Netam, are also actively positioning themselves in the discussions surrounding leadership. Additionally, the name of former Home Minister Tamradhwaj Sahu has surfaced in conversations about potential candidates.

However, scrutiny of Amarjeet Bhagat is a concern, as ongoing investigations by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax (IT) departments could weaken his prospects in the leadership race. With the Congress party facing a critical juncture, the coming days are likely to bring further developments in the battle for leadership in Chhattisgarh.