After Rahul meet, reshuffle on the cards in Chhattisgarh
Darpan News Desk IANS, 26 Aug, 2021 11:35 AM
New Delhi, Aug 26 (IANS) After the meeting of Rahul Gandhi with Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and T.S. Singh Deo, it is widely expected that the state could see a minor portfolio reshuffle. Singh Deo may be given more importance in the cabinet and it's likely he may be allotted a portfolio soon. Currently he holds the health portfolio.
Sources said that Rahul Gandhi is visibly upset over the issues between the two leaders and has asked secretary general (organisation) K.C. Venugopal to sort them out soon. It is said that Singh Deo may be allotted the finance portfolio, while the final decision will be taken by Sonia Gandhi and she is likely to meet the leaders after a truce formula is evolved.
In the meeting with Rahul Gandhi, Singh Deo kept the grievances to the fore, and complained against Amarjeet Bhagat who is from the same region as Singh Deo.
Meanwhile, Baghel received a huge welcome in Raipur on his return from Delhi on Wednesday after the meeting. He said, "I will step down when Sonia and Rahul Ji order me. Those talking about a 2-2.5 years plan are trying to bring political instability but will never succeed," he said referring to the demand of rotational chief ministership by Singh Deo.
On Tuesday, the meeting lasted for over two and a half hours at the residence of Rahul Gandhi. After the meeting, Chhattisgarh Congress in-charge P.L. Punia speaking to the media said, "There was no discussion on change of leadership in Chhattisgarh."
Punia attended the meeting along with the state Chief Minister and the health minister.
The meeting of these two leaders with Rahul Gandhi came amid Deo's reported claims for the top post in the state, demanding rotational chief ministership.
There were several reports of differences between Baghel and Deo, with the latter lobbying hard for months to replace Chief Minister Baghel. On July 27, Deo walked out of the Assembly saying, "it is too much" after the opposition created an uproar demanding a House panel probe into Congress MLA Brihaspat Singh's charge that the Minister was behind an attack on him.
Deo and Baghel have been making several trips to the national capital. Deo, for the record, maintains that "Sonia Gandhiji and Rahul Gandhiji will decide." Following his visit, Baghel also rushed to the national capital in July this year.
The bodies of Khare Besra, 75 and his wife Curki Devi, 70, were recovered from Baragarda jungle of Giridih. The old couple, residents of Kumharlalo panchayat, had gone into the jungle on Saturday but had not returned and other villagers had filed a missing report with police.
Chairing a high-level meeting to review the demands of the striking employees, he expressed concern over their continued agitation, which has severely impacted the functioning of various state government departments.
The opposition has been continuously attacking the government after it told the Parliament on July 20 that states have not reported any death due to oxygen during the second wave.
Amid the Pegasus snooping row on politicians, journalists and others, former Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Monday alleged that the government was aware of the snooping
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that through this portal, the government will receive feedback from the people and also inform them about the various schemes of the government.
According to officials, several people of Khakrai village had allegedly consumed alcohol on Saturday, after which three persons died on Saturday and Sunday. As the incident came to light, State Excise Minister Jagdish Devda assured strict action.
