Chhattisgarh CM to be named today
The Congress has invited leaders from across the political spectrum for the swearing-in ceremony of party stalwarts Kamal Nath and Ashok Gehlot, who would take charge as Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan respectively, on Monday. The Congress will also form its Government in Chhatisgarh on Monday but the Chief Minister candidate will be announced on Sunday morning in Raipur following which the invitations for the oath ceremony will be extended.
While the oath ceremony in Jaipur is scheduled at 10.30 am, Bhopal timing is at 1.30 pm followed by Raipur at 4.30 pm to facilitate the leaders, including Congress high command to move conveniently.
After selecting Chief Ministers of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, Congress president Rahul Gandhi held hectic parleys with top party leaders on Saturday to decide on the top post for Chhattisgarh. Sources said Rahul met Chhattisgarh’s four potential Chief Minister candidates — TS Singh Deo, Tamradhwaj Sahu, Bhupesh Baghel and Charan Das Mahant — at his Tughlaq Lane residence and held discussions with them.
This was the third round of discussion that the Congress chief held before selecting the CM for Chhattisgarh, where the party romped home after 15 years with two-third majority. Congress’ central observer Mallikarjun Kharge and AICC in-charge for party affairs in Chhattisgarh PL Punia were present in the meeting.
Sources said UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were also present at the Congress chief’s residence.
Top leaders like Sharad Pawar, Sharad Yadav, Akhilesh Yadav, Mayawati, Arvind Kejriwal, M K Stalin, Tejashwi Yadav amongst others have confirmed their participation for the Congress Governments in the three Hindi heartland States.
AICC sources said Sonia and Rahul, along with the CM nominates, have invited West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, BSP chief Mayawati and SP president Akhilesh Yadav for the event.
Besides, Chief Ministers of all Congress-ruled States have also been invited. Leading industrialists and religious sants will also be present on the occasion.
The BSP and SP have extended their support to Nath for forming the Government, after the Congress failed to cross the halfway mark (115) on its own. The Congress won 114 seats in the 230-member Assembly with this party has secured support of total 121 MLAs, including SP (1), BSP (2) and four Independent MLAs.