Ahead of the forthcoming Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh, the Congress has appointed veteran leader TS Singh Deo as the Deputy Chief Minister of the State. The decision aims to quell a potential rebellion within the party, which has been brewing for the past few years, and avoid a situation similar to the ongoing controversy in Rajasthan involving Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and former Deputy CM Sachin Pilot.
The Congress is keen to prevent any factional disputes that could jeopardise its unity and electoral prospects. The defection of Jyotiraditya Scindia in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, which led to the downfall of the Kamal Nath-led Government, serves as a cautionary tale for the party. Party general secretary KC Venugopal announced the appointment, stating, “The honorable Congress president has approved the proposal for the appointment of TS Singh Deo as the Deputy Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh.”