Chhattisgarh is no Punjab, asserts Baghel

CM refutes speculation about a change of guard in Raipur

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Saturday refuted speculation on a possible change of guard in the Congress-ruled State ahead of an impending visit by former party president Rahul Gandhi, the dates for which haven’t been announced yet.

Pressed by reporters at the Raipur helipad about the BJP drawing a parallel between Punjab and Chhattisgarh vis-a-vis dissensions within the Congress units in the two States, Mr. Baghel replied obliquely: “Chhattisgarh will always remain Chhattisgarh. It cannot become Punjab. The two States have only one similarity – both have numbers in their name. Punjab is land of punj (five) aab (water), five rivers. Similarly, Chhattisgarh has derived its name from chhattis garh (36 forts). No other States have numbers in their name.”

Mr. Baghel was made Chief Minister reportedly on a rotation formula worked out by then party president Rahul Gandhi in 2018 whereby he was to hand over the stewardship of the State government to Cabinet colleague, Health Minister T.S. Singh Deo, this year. There was, however, no official announcement about a power-sharing deal to that effect.