Mixed response in Chhattisgarh Congress unit to TS Singh Deo’s new role

Senior Congress leader TS Singh Deo's appointment as Chhattisgarh's deputy chief minister has received a mixed response within the party. While some believe it will end factionalism, others have called for the elevation of home minister Tamradhwaj Sahu. The move comes ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in the state. Singh Deo has significant influence in north Chhattisgarh, particularly in the Surguja region, where the Congress won all 14 seats in the 2018 elections. However, concerns have been raised about potential backlash from the Sahu community, who make up around 15% of the electorate.

Raipur: Senior Congress leader TS Singh Deo’s appointment as Chhattisgarh deputy chief minister evoked a mixed response in the party on Thursday, as a section of leaders exuded confidence that his elevation would end the factionalism in the state unit, ahead of the upcoming elections, but a few others also sought elevation of home minister Tamradhwaj Sahu for the same role.

Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister TS Singh Deo, on Wednesday. (Twitter)

Assembly elections for 90 seats are slated to be held later this year.

On Wednesday, Singh Deo, who was locked in a power tussle with chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, was appointed as deputy chief minister by the Congress, months ahead of the crucial assembly elections. The two leaders have mostly shared a fractious relationship since 2018, as both vied for the top post, after the Congress swept to power in that year’s elections and dislodged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by winning 68 of 90 seats.

“Singh Deo’s elevation is an important decision by the party high command. We all know that he has considerable influence across Chhattisgarh and within the party. The decision (on his elevation) will have a huge impact in Surguja and plains of Chhattisgarh,” Congress MLA from Raipur, Vikas Upadhayay, said.

According to party functionaries, Singh Deo has considerable influence in north Chhattisgarh, specifically in Surguja region, where the Congress won all 14 seats in the 2018 elections. The newly-appointed deputy chief minister represents Ambikapur assembly constituency in Surguja region.

However, a Congress leader said the party should have appointed Sahu as the second deputy to Baghel, keeping in mind that the former was also in the race for the chief minister’s post in 2018, and taking into account his considerable influence among Sahu voters. The Sahus form around 15% of the total electorate and according to political experts, two-third of the community voted for the Congress in the last elections.

“Now, it will be difficult for us because the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will fan this issue,” the leader said, seeking anonymity.

A second leader, from Delhi, who also did not wish to be named, said that Singh Deo’s appointment is likely to impact the “highhandedness of Baghel”.

“The impression that Baghel controls the political narrative of the state will definitely take a hit. Singh Deo’s elevation will be seen as dressing down of Baghel by the high command since the rivalry between the two and attempts by Baghel to curtail Singh Deo’s powers are something with which everyone is familiar,” the leader said.

Political experts raised concerns over the possibility of a backlash.

“The tussle between the two stalwarts of Chhattisgarh Congress ended on a surprising note with Singh Deo having to settle as deputy to Baghel. The move, while ensuring no factionalism in the party, has a possibility of triggering backlash from the Sahus since their leader, Tamradhwaj Sahu, was not elevated along with Singh Deo,” political commentator Sudeip Shrivastava said.

“...The Sahus are crucial in the sense that the community is mostly in the OBC fold and had voted in large numbers for the Congress in 2018, shifting their traditional loyalty from the BJP,” he added.

Shrivastava also pointed out that the BJP has appointed MP Arun Sao as chief of its state unit, in a bid to woo the Sahu community. “Now, the Congress has the task to keep the support of the community intact as it was in 2018,” he said.

A few Sahu leaders, however, dismissed apprehensions that the community is upset with the party high command’s decision.

“This is a myth that Tamradhwaj is the only Sahu face in Chhattisgarh now. After coming to power, Baghel has given 22 posts as members and chairman of boards and commissions to Sahu leaders. Around 30 Sahu leaders are holding important posts in the Chhattisgarh government. Secondly, the community also feels that Tamradhwaj has not delivered after becoming a minister.. Hence, most of the Sahu leaders have now challenged the clout of Tamrdhwaj,” said a senior Sahu leader, wishing not to be named.

Meanwhile, a third Congress leader said that more important appointments are likely in the next few weeks. “We have indications that more appointments will be made in the next few weeks because the party is working on fault lines,” the leader said, also seeking anonymity.