The Chhattisgarh chief minister was announced after a Congress legislative party meet in Raipur.
Bhupesh Baghel to be the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Congress today announced. "Celebrations are in order in Chhattisgarh as @Bhupesh_Baghel is appointed CM. We wish him the best as he forms a govt. of equality, transparency & integrity starting off with farm loan waiver for farmers as we promised," the party posted on their official Twitter account along with an image of the state Congress chief , Bhupesh Baghel. The win for congress on December 11 meant that party chief Rahul Gandhi had to pick three chief ministers. With two states - Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan done earlier this week, the decision to name the top pick of Chhattisgarh was made today after a legislative party meet in Raipur. Yesterday, Rahul Gandhi tweeted an image of him posing with all the four contenders -- Bhupesh Baghel, TS Singh Deo, Tamradhwaj Sahu, and Charan Das Mahant. Congress put an end to a 15-year BJP rule in Chhattisgarh by winning 68 of the 90 seats in the assembly elections.
Here are the updates for Chhattisgarh Chief Minister announcement:
Bhupesh Baghel on Maoism (as quoted by news agency ANI)
"The problem of naxalism is a very serious problem. Nobody can solve it instantly. They have a very strong hold. We will be successful in eliminating them if firm steps are taken with the support of the people in the naxal-affected areas".
"Our priorities are loan waiver, paddy procurement and SIT for Jhiram massacre investigation", Bhupesh Baghel told NDTV's Anurag Dwary
Rahul Gandhi gave a chance to all MLAs to put forth their views. The final decision taken by him is acceptable to all of us. High command's decision is final. We have to work for the people of Chhattisgarh for the 5 years to come, TS Singh Deo said.
Congress Committee's observer for Chhattisgarh, Mallikarjun Kharge:
- Everyone echoed the resolution that whoever Rahul Gandhi chooses, that person will be the Chief Minister
- Three meeting were held. The decision was a really tough one
- Every one of the candidate were brought about results qually and that's why the decision was a tough one
- Rahul Gandhi spoke to all four leaders
- Rahul Ji's message was that Bhupesh Baghel will be chosen to be the chief minister
- It was one voice
- All the other candidates accepted the decision
- Bhupesh Baghel accepted the post as well
- We have come to power after 15 years. We have a huge responsibility. We are confident of our unity
- Bhupesh Baghel will take oath as the chief minister at 5 pm tomorrow
- Decision on the rest of the cabinet will be made later on
Congress made the announcement on Twitter saying:
"Celebrations are in order in Chhattisgarh as @Bhupesh_Baghel is appointed CM. We wish him the best as he forms a govt. of equality, transparency & integrity starting off with farm loan waiver for farmers as we promised."
Congress sources said the race for Chhattisgarh Chief Ministerends with the state congress chief Bhupesh Baghel chosen as the Chief Minister.
Posters of Bhupesh Baghel, the top contender, being printed in Raipur.
Yesterday, the party held a series of meetings and the four contenders for the post -- T S Singh Deo, Tamradhwaj Sahu, Bhupesh Baghel and Charan Das Mahant met Congress chief Rahul Gandhi. The meeting ended with Mr Gandhi's photo post with the four leaders.
December 11 results of the Assembly polls in Chhattisgarh put an end to a 15-year rule by BJP in the state. The Congress emerged victorious winning 68 of the 90 assembly seats. 5 days and a series of meeting later, the announcement for the Chief Minister in the state is to be made today.