After defeat in the Assembly election, the Congress may decide on the leader of the Opposition and State president of the party in a few days. Central observer is likely to come for the selection of the leader of the Opposition by week-end.
In an informal chat, a national office-bearer of the Congress said that the high command might send an observer within 10 days for the selection of leader of the Opposition. The observer would hold discussion with the MlAs. According to inside party sources, before selection of the leader of the Opposition, it would be kept in mind that whether he could give sufficient time in the State Capital or not. Besides, his aggressiveness and previous performance would be taken into consideration.
The prominent names that have come to the fore for the leader of Opposition post are former deputy leader of Opposition Bhupesh Baghel, former Minister Satyanarayan Sharma and MlA from Ambikapur TS Singhdeo. It is said of Baghel that he has been very harsh towards the Government during the last 10 years, whereas, it is suspected that whether Singhdeo could give much time in the State capital or not.
Former Minister Satyanarayan Sharma belongs to Raipur, but some leaders of the party see less aggressiveness in him. Besides, the names of Amarjeet Bhagat and Ramdayal Uike from the former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi faction of the party could also come to the fore for the post. From the Jogi faction, a letter signed by 21 MlAs has been issued, in which demand was made to ban issuing public statements by senior leaders.
State Congress vice-president TS Singhdeo and other leaders had termed sabotage responsible for the defeat of the party. In the letter, the Jogi faction had tried to project that their number is more in the Congress legislative Party. Decision on the State president could also be taken soon. As the present president Dr Mahant is to fight the lok Sabha election, a situation of suspense remains over his being on the post. A senior leader, close to the Congress high command, said that soon the national president of the party could take a decision on the issue.