New Delhi: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday made a startling announcement claiming the Congress is set to sideline Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel after the state elections.
Addressing the media in Raipur during an election campaign, CM Sarma said that he has “internal information” that his Chhattisgarh counterpart will be removed from the leadership position immediately or gradually after the elections.
“As per the information I have, Congress has decided that Bhupesh Baghel's name should be removed from banners and posters. This has started in the last 10 days. I was in Congress for 22 years, so I get internal information about the party. After the elections, Congress will remove Baghel from the leadership post either immediately or gradually,” CM Sarma said.
Later, he met CM Baghel in Mohla-Manpur- Ambagarh Chowki. A video posted by news agency ANI showed the two chief ministers sharing a light moment.
Sarma is the 15th chief minister of Assam. He was first elected MLA on a Congress ticket in 2001. He joined the BJP in 2015.
Speaking about a notice from the Election Commission of India (ECI) on his ‘Akbar’ remark, CM Sarma, as quoted by ANI said, “Congress complained against me when I spoke about Akbar. It would have made sense to file a complaint if I had spoken something against TS Singh Deo or Baghel or any Congress leader. I think, for the Chhattisgarh Congress, Akbar is more important than Bhupesh Baghel. Why is Akbar so dear to you (Congress)?”