Even if BJP makes me Prime Minister, I will not leave Congress: Chhattisgarh Health Minister TS Singh Deo

Deo's statement comes amid speculations that he was planning to raise a banner of revolt against Bhagel government ahead of the upcoming Assembly election.

Raipur:Chhattisgarh Health Minister TS Singh Deo has stated that even if the BJP were to make him the Prime Minister, he would not leave Congress. This statement comes after his previous expression of support for Congress leader Sachin Pilot's fast against his own government.

Amid murmurs about Deo raising a banner of revolt after his explicit statement to become the CM, Deo has firmly made it clear that he will remain loyal to the Congress party. In an interview with a private channel, he firmly rejected the possibility of leaving the party, even if the BJP were to offer him the post of Prime Minister.

Deo has also stated that the Congress party will fight the upcoming elections in Chhattisgarh under the leadership of Bhupesh Baghel and the latter will remain as the CM face for the next term as well. Deo threw a tantrum on the saffron for lacking any face in the state ahead of the polls.

Deo who has been vocal in the media about his desire to become the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh. He made a statement to this effect in Ambikapur on March 31, saying that he still wants to become CM and will fulfill whatever responsibilities are necessary for the post.

Deo who emerged from a meeting with the grand old party's senior leader Sonia Gandhi in Delhi on April 7, reiterated his ambition to become the CM of Chhattisgarh. This became fodder for the Opposition in the state and word around suggested Deo might be contemplating a revolt akin to what's happening in Rajasthan.

Currently, the Congress party holds power in both Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. However, the party faced significant challenges in retaining control in these states after the 2018 assembly elections. In Madhya Pradesh, a political manoeuvre by a local maharaja resulted in the Congress losing power.

In Rajasthan, Sachin Pilot's fasting protest against his own government created difficulties for the Congress. Meanwhile, in Chhattisgarh, Singh Deo has expressed his displeasure with the current government.