In order to pacify the infighting within its state units, the Congress had decided to not project any CM face in the three crucial poll bound states- Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan. The Congress is worried that announcement of CM might end up escalating the intra-party rivalry. Despite the party’s refrain from choosing a CM candidate, the Congress’ star-campaigner and Punjab Cabinet minister- Navjot Singh Sidhu- seems to have taken the responsibility to pick the CM candidate.
Navjot Singh Sidhu in just two days has declared the names of two different Congress leaders as CM candidates. On the last day of campaigning in the Chhattisgarh assembly elections on Sunday, Navjot Singh Sidhu hinted that senior Congress leader TS Singh Deo could very well be the next CM of the state. Speaking at a rally in Ambikapur, he said, “I am not here to ask anything for my big brother (TS Singh Deo). In the market, you get 2 in 1, 3 in 1. But he is all in one. He is all in one for CLP. This manifesto is also created by him only. Whatever that is given to the farmers has been made by him only. The people of this country may not trust PM Modi, but Rahul Gandhi has a lot of trust in his CLP leader. And you never know ‘lal batti’ may well be on his car soon.”
Earlier, speaking at a rally in Jangir Champa district of Chhattisgarh, Sidhu had clearly stated that close aide of Congress President Rahul Gandhi and former Union Minister, Charandas Mahant will become the CM of the state in case Congress comes to power. He also added, “When you win here, I will come here to congratulate you. And it is possible that the MLA of this area may very well be the CM of the state. It is very possible.”
Now, the important question is that whether Rahul Gandhi has instructed him to do so or Navjot Singh Sidhu has taken it upon himself. If the latter case prevails, it certainly means an act of defiance to the Congress President Rahul Gandhi. Whatever the truth is, the fact of the matter is that Sidhu has again invited troubles for the party through his speeches and immature acts.
Earlier, the party high command had made it clear to all the three claimants of CM post– Bhupesh Baghel (Pradesh Congress Committee chief), T.S. Singh Deo (Leader of Opposition) and Charan Das Mahant (former Union Minister and MP from Korba)- that CM would be decided as per the wish of the elected MLAs in case the Congress comes to power. But it seems that party’s star-campaigner Navjot Singh Sidhu has some other plans.
The voting for the second and final phase of Chhattisgarh state assembly elections is in progress. A 76.28 per cent turnout was recorded in the first phase and that too in the 18 naxal-hit constituencies of the state. Voting for the first phase took place on November 12. The results are to be announced on December 11.