The Chhattisgarh government on Wednesday said that Congress lawmaker Brihaspat Singh’s allegation that his convoy was attacked last Sunday at the behest of senior party leader and health minister T S Singh Deo was false.
The allegations had exposed the rift within the state Congress with Singh Deo walking out of the assembly on Tuesday, demanding to know where the state government stood on the allegations made by Singh, who had also claimed that the attack by the minister’s man was a result of Singh's support to chief minister Bhupesh Baghel.
However, on Wednesday, Singh apologised in the assembly and said his allegations against Singh Deo were an “emotional outburst”. “If I have hurt anyone’s sentiments ...I apologise for that,” the MLA said.
Chhattisgarh home minister Tamradhwaj Sahu said the incident involving Singh’s convoy was that of road-rage and Singh Deo had no connection with it.
“The allegations levelled against him are false and baseless,” Sahu said, clarifying the government’s stance on the matter. On Tuesday, Singh Deo had walked out of the assembly saying he was upset with the home minister’s short statement on the issue, which was not “clear”.
After the government’s statement on Wednesday, Singh Deo came to the House and attended the proceedings. “The issue has been resolved and the focus will now be on discharging the responsibilities towards the state as a team,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}After the government’s statement on Wednesday, Singh Deo came to the House and attended the proceedings. “The issue has been resolved and the focus will now be on discharging the responsibilities towards the state as a team,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}It all started last Sunday when Singh, the MLA from Ramanujan seat, alleged his vehicle was attacked by three persons including a relative of Singh Deo. Singh further alleged that he was attacked since he had praised chief minister Bhupesh Baghel and backed him to continue in his post for the rest of the term inviting Singh Deo’s anger.
Singh Deo is seen as one of the top state Congress leaders who were contenders for the chief minister’s position after the party came to power in Chhattisgarh in December 2018. Since then, speculations have been rife about possible formula for top leaders to share power. However, this was recently ruled out by the chief minister.
After the whole issue blew up in the government’s face on Tuesday with Singh Deo walking out of the assembly and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) demanding a probe into the issue, the state Congress issued a notice to Brihaspat Singh last night, seeking his reply within 24 hours.