Chhattisgarh Assembly Election 2018: Fight down to a royal and an OBC leader

In line with tradition, newly elected Congress legislators in Chhattisgarh have unanimously empowered party chief Rahul Gandhi to name the new chief minister in the state.

The decision was taken at a closed-door meeting of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) attended by party legislators, observer Mallikarjun Kharge and state in-charge PL Punia.

Emerging from the meeting, Kharge informed the media of the decision made by party lawmakers, but refrained from divulging more.

Since the conclusion of the polling in the state on November 20, several names, including those of PCC chief Bhupesh Baghel, legislator TS Singh Deo, Tamradhwaj Sahu and Charan Das Mahant had been doing the rounds. Party insiders said the contest has now narrowed down to popular OBC leader Baghel and senior legislator TS Singh Deo.

Baghel (57) has helmed the state party unit since 2014 and represents the Patan assembly constituency TS Singh Deo (66), scion of the Surguja royal family, has represented Ambikapur assembly seat since 2008.

The Congress president is likely to keep in mind the 2019 General Elections while taking a final call on the matter, they claimed.

Bringing to an end a 15-year sway of the BJP in the state of Chhattisgarh, the Congress won 68 seats in the 90-member assembly while the BJP was left to contend with a mere 15 seats.

Ajit Jogi-led Janata Congress Chhattisgarh notched victories on five seats while ally Bahujan Samaj Party emerged victorious on two seats.

While chief ministers are chosen by party lawmakers, the Congress continues with a tradition to empower the party headquarters with the decision for the top post.