‘Do not feel like fighting elections, will discuss with supporters’: Chhattisgarh minister T S Singh Deo

Senior Congress leader in Chhattisgarh, T S Singh Deo, stated on Thursday that he is currently undecided about contesting the upcoming Assembly elections. Despite having contested in the 2008, 2013, and 2018 elections, Deo expressed a lack of inclination this time and mentioned that he would make a formal decision after consulting with his supporters.

Serving as the state health and family welfare minister and a three-time MLA from the Ambikapur constituency in Surguja district, Deo has been involved in a power struggle with Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel since the Congress formed the government in 2018.

Despite being a contender for the Chief Minister position, Deo found himself marginalized by Baghel, and the proposed rotational formula for him to assume the CM role after two-and-a-half years did not materialize. Earlier this year, Deo stepped down from the crucial Panchayat and Rural Development portfolios, adding to the internal challenges faced by the state Congress unit.

There have been claims from some leaders that a power-sharing agreement was communicated by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to Baghel and Deo after the party came to power in December 2018, with Baghel holding the post for the initial two-and-a-half years. Baghel, however, has consistently denied the existence of any such arrangement.