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In Chhattisgarh, a patient TS Singhdeo waits for his turn to be chief minister

In the given circumstances of Congress and the likelihood of it retaining voter confidence, he still remains the most capable person in Congress to hold that portfolio.

Published

3 years ago

November 24, 2023

By Neeraj Mishra

Sarguja has had one family rule for last several hundred years and TS Singhdeo is believed to be some 1025^thin an unbroken line. One of the reasons could be that none of the empires from Ashoka and Chandragupta to the Mughals were really interested in conquering Ambikapur and surrounding areas which was mostly forest land. And even though the British recognised the Sarguja family as the only “Maharajas” in present day Chhattisgarh, it was only a protectorate state under the Raj, having accepted British suzerainty.

Then why would TS Singhdeo seek to become a chief minister when his entire family history is different ? His father MS Singhdeo, an IAS officer, was the chief secretary of MP under Arjun Singh and even though the latter referred to him as Maharaj, it was more out of Thakur pride and traditions. TS Baba as he is known had remained a small town, municipal-level leader for most of his life till by quirk of fate Ambikapur became a separate general assembly constituency in 2008 after a re-organisation of seats. He won his first Assembly elections.

In his first term as MLA, he learnt and then became the Leader of Opposition in 2013 in only his second term when fate intervened on his behalf again. The Congress had lost its entire senior leadership in the Naxalite attack in Jheeram, Bastar. By the time, the third win in 2018 happened he had thrown his gauntlet along with Bhupesh Baghel, a caste upstart from Durg district who was the PCC chief. They had run the election campaign together as Jai and Viru. Singhdeo says he was promised half the term as CM by Rahul Gandhi, the then Congress president. That didn’t happen because Baghel was too smart and had slowly entrenched himself in Priyanka Gandhi’s camp.

Now again, Singhdeo sits alone in his ministerial bungalow in Raipur, surrounded mostly by supplicants and acolytes giving out interviews to TV channels claiming it is his deepest desire to become CM. And if that does not happen, he will not contest another election. Strangely, there are not many MLAs or likely winners/candidates visiting him post polling day on November 17th. There could be several reasons but the prime one seems to be that Baghel is still in charge and leading the race and TS Baba’s own persona which remains regal.

So TS Baba wants to be CM but is he capable? Yes. In the given circumstances of Congress and the likelihood of it retaining voter confidence, he still remains the most capable person in Congress to hold that portfolio. His family background, his education, his hold over the bureaucracy and several other things point to his obvious capabilities to claim that office. He also has a legitimate claim within the party since the Gandhis have not kept their promise of giving him a shot at the top office.

So will he become the next CM in case of a Congress victory? That is the question and debate in every political gossip circle in the capital and beyond. It is unlikely that Baghel will let go of his position so easily. He didn’t even do so when Rahul asked him to after 2.5 years in the post. In fact, he has built an image of Congress’ boldest OBC face and a kisan leader in his time in office. So that’s the biggest and perhaps the only hurdle in Singhdeo’s path.

What else? There are several other minor hiccups. The Congress may want to replace Baghel with another OBC leader, then old Sahu warhorse Tamradhwaj remains the best bet. If Congress opts for a tribal face, then Deepak Baij or Markam may lay claim.

What can happen? If Congress wins with a thin majority like 50 then that may be Singhdeo’s best chance. A clear and major victory like 55 plus seats would mean Baghel has prevailed with his image and pro-farmer agenda.

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INDIA bloc likely to meet on September 30 over Gyanesh Kumar row

INDIA bloc parties are likely to meet in New Delhi on September 30 amid growing opposition to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

Published

24 hours ago

September 26, 2026

APNLive Desk

Opposition parties belonging to the INDIA bloc are set to meet in New Delhi on September 30 to discuss concerns surrounding the Election Commission, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and a proposed removal motion against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The proposed meeting comes amid growing coordination among opposition parties over the functioning of the poll panel and demands for action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The parties are also discussing a possible joint response to the developments.

Why is the INDIA bloc meeting being planned?

The INDIA bloc meeting on September 30 comes amid reports of objections within the Election Commission over certain decisions and orders related to the SIR exercise.

According to the report, Opposition leaders have been discussing a coordinated response to their concerns over the Election Commission and the electoral-roll revision process.

The issue is also expected to be discussed at the Congress Working Committee meeting scheduled for September 29, a day before the proposed INDIA bloc meeting.

Gyanesh Kumar removal demand in focus

The demand for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has become a major point of contention between the Opposition and the Election Commission.

The CPI(M), CPI and CPI(ML)-Liberation have demanded Kumar’s removal and an immediate halt to the SIR exercise. Congress has also intensified its criticism of the CEC.

Opposition parties are also working on a fresh removal motion against Gyanesh Kumar. The September 30 meeting is expected to finalise the strategy for the motion, including the collection of signatures. According to the report, this would be the Opposition’s third such attempt.

What is the SIR controversy?

The political dispute is linked to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, or SIR.

The controversy intensified following a report that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded objections on several occasions concerning decisions and orders related to the SIR process.

The Election Commission has said that differing views and observations are part of normal deliberations in a multi-member constitutional body. The poll panel has also maintained that its orders have legal sanction and follow statutory procedures, while stating that the final decisions on the SIR were taken unanimously.

TMC and Left parties coordinate over the issue

The developments have also brought the Trinamool Congress and the CPI(M) together on the Election Commission issue, despite their political differences in West Bengal.

CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby proposed an immediate meeting to discuss a joint strategy. According to the report, Mamata Banerjee spoke with M A Baby and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, after which the leaders settled on September 30 for the meeting.

What could be discussed at the September 30 meeting?

The proposed meeting is expected to focus on:

Concerns surrounding the Election Commission
The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls
Opposition demands concerning CEC Gyanesh Kumar
A possible fresh removal notice against the CEC
A coordinated response by INDIA bloc parties

The exact agenda and participation will depend on the discussions among the opposition parties before the proposed meeting.

India News

Gandhi Parivar vs Sangh Parivar, Revanth Reddy’s remark sparks BJP attack

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s remarks contrasting the Gandhi Parivar with the Sangh Parivar triggered a BJP response accusing Congress of prioritising the Gandhi family.

Published

1 day ago

September 26, 2026

APNLive Desk

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s remarks comparing the Gandhi Parivar and Sangh Parivar have triggered a political exchange, with the BJP hitting back at the Congress leader.

Speaking in Kerala on Friday, Mr Reddy described the contest over India’s future as a fight between the two “parivars”. He said the Gandhi family had made sacrifices for the country while accusing the Sangh Parivar of attempting to divide India on the basis of religion, caste, region and language.

What Revanth Reddy said

Mr Reddy cited Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi while speaking about what he described as sacrifices made by the Gandhi family.

He also referred to Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, saying they had given up positions, power and high office.

The Telangana Chief Minister said he had no remaining personal political ambitions and described his objective as working towards a Congress-led government at the Centre with Rahul Gandhi as Prime Minister.

Mr Reddy also appealed to people to stand with the Gandhi Parivar and oppose the Sangh Parivar. He described the latter as a threat to India’s democracy.

BJP hits back

The BJP responded to Mr Reddy’s remarks on Saturday.

BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said the Telangana Chief Minister’s comments amounted to an admission that Congress’s objective was to bring the Gandhi family back to power.

He also linked Mr Reddy’s remarks to the ongoing political debate around “vote chori”, the Election Commission, the Constitution and democracy, arguing that the Congress’s focus was instead on the Gandhi family.

The exchange adds to the political confrontation between the BJP and Congress, with Mr Reddy presenting the Gandhi Parivar and Sangh Parivar as opposing forces in India’s political future, while the BJP has interpreted his remarks as evidence of Congress’s focus on the Gandhi family.

India News

Veeramani POCSO case: Vijay questions Stalin over earlier probe

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has questioned MK Stalin over the handling of the Veeramani POCSO case, while Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected anyone.

Published

2 days ago

September 25, 2026

APNLive Desk

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C Joseph Vijay has questioned DMK president MK Stalin over the handling of the POCSO case involving Gem Granites founder R Veeramani. The political exchange follows renewed investigation into allegations involving minor girls.

Vijay’s remarks came as the ruling TVK stepped up its questions about how the case was handled during the previous DMK government. The party’s IT wing has alleged that the earlier investigation was weakened and questioned why a final report was filed.

The allegations have been rejected by the DMK. Stalin has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to protect anyone in the case and has called the allegations false and defamatory.

What did Vijay say about the Veeramani case?

Vijay questioned Stalin over the handling of the case and demanded an explanation from the former chief minister.

The TVK has specifically questioned why action was not taken against Veeramani during the previous administration and why the earlier investigation resulted in a closure report.

The party has also raised questions about the role of officials involved in the earlier investigation. These are political allegations made by the TVK and have not been established as facts.

What is the Veeramani POCSO case?

The case concerns allegations of sexual abuse of minors involving R Veeramani, the founder of Gem Granites.

The case came under renewed scrutiny after a special POCSO court rejected an earlier closure report and ordered further investigation. The expanded probe has subsequently identified additional alleged survivors who were minors at the time of the alleged offences, according to current reporting.

The investigation is also examining the circumstances surrounding the earlier probe and whether there were any lapses in how the case was handled.

What has MK Stalin said?

Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected Veeramani.

He has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to shield anyone in the case. Stalin has also said that everyone responsible for the alleged offences, including anyone who aided or attempted to protect the accused, should face the law.

The DMK president has further said that the focus should remain on securing justice for the affected girls rather than making political allegations.

Why has the case become a political issue?

The Veeramani case has become the subject of a political dispute between the ruling TVK and the DMK over the handling of the earlier investigation.

The TVK is questioning the previous government’s handling of the case, while the DMK has denied that it intervened to protect the accused.

At this stage, claims about political interference or deliberate weakening of the earlier investigation should be treated as allegations unless established by the ongoing investigation or judicial proceedings.