Chhattisgarh Congress MLAs return to Raipur from Delhi

Raipur (Chhattisgarh): The Delhi visit of Congress MLAs who have been camping in New Delhi in support of CM Bhupesh Bhagel for the last six days ended with the legislators returning back to Raipur sans meeting any senior leader on Monday. Meanwhile, MLA Brihaspati Singh yet again accused the BJP of conspiring to destabilise the Bhupesh Baghel-led government in the state.

The political drama was on in Delhi for six days

A group of 15 Congress MLAs from Chhattisgarh, led by Balrampur MLA Brihaspati Singh, had initially left for Delhi and gradually more MLAs had joined the bandwagon. The MLAs wanted to meet either the AICC in-charge of Chhattisgarh PL Punia or party general secretary KC Venugopal to convey their issues.

According to sources, there has been a tussle between incumbent CM Bhupesh Baghel and Health Minister TS Singh Deo over the post of CM. It is said that when Congress swept the Chhattisgarh assembly elections in 2018 both senior leaders were at the forefront of the top post. Neither of them agreed to sacrifice their claim and thus top leadership pitched for the 'Two and a half Years' formula according to which each leader would hold the CM post for equal duration throughout the tenure.

While talking to the media, most of the MLAs who reached Delhi downplayed it as a personal visit. They have been tight-lipped about the actual purpose but the gestures and day-long activities revealed a different tale. The MLAs wanted to meet the top leadership but as Priyanka Gandhi was in UP and Chhattisgarh Congress In-Charge PL Punia also accompanying her, the meeting was not scheduled.

Why the legislators had to return?

As per reports, the legislators had to return as MLA Brihaspati Singh, who is considered a close aide of CM Baghel was informed by Punia that the meeting with the high command might be delayed due to the ongoing Lakhimpur Kheri incident and related developments.