Chhattisgarh CM Baghel Says Unable To Contact Disgruntled TS Deo, Yet To Receive His Resignation

CM Bhupesh Baghel said that he learnt about TS Singh Deo's resignation through the media and he was yet to receive the letter.

TS Deo (L), locked in a turf war with Bhupesh Baghel (R), announced his resignation from the panchayat and rural development department, saying he was unable to fulfill the department's targets.

New Delhi: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday said that he was yet to receive minister TS Singh Deo's resignation from the panchayat department and that he learnt about the latter's move through the media. Deo, locked in a turf war with Baghel, on Saturday announced that he resigned from the panchayat and rural development department. 

He continues to be the minister for health and family welfare, medical education, twenty point implementation and commercial tax (GST) departments.

CM Bhupesh Baghel said that he learnt about the minister's resignation through media and after he receives the resignation letter, he will think over it.

"I got to know about it from the media. There's absolute coordination and whatever issue is there, it can be discussed by sitting together... I haven't received the letter, when I receive it, will look into it," ANI quoted the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister as saying.

As per PTI, Baghel also mentioned that he was not able to contact TS Singh Deo.

“I have not spoken to him (Singh Deo). I tried to call him last night, but he could not be contacted," the Chief Minister said.

Congress Legislature Party Meeting

The ruling Congress party has called the state legislature party meeting at 7 pm on Sunday which will be held at the chief minister's official residence, PTI reported.

Discussions would be held on the July 18 presidential poll and the state Assembly's monsoon session scheduled to begin on July 20.

The political situation after Singh Deo quit one department would also be discussed, PTI reported a party leader as saying.

Funds Not Sanctioned Under PM Awas Yojna: TS Singh Deo

In his resignation letter to the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister, TS Singh Deo had claimed that not a single house was built for homeless people under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana because funds were not allotted despite "repeated request".

In the four-page resignation letter, the state minister cited various reasons, mentioning that he was unable to fulfill the department's targets as per the vision of the Jan Ghoshna Patra (poll manifesto), given the "current scenario".

The political development in Chhattisgarh comes a year ahead of the Assembly elections in the Congress-ruled state.

In the 90-member Chhattisgarh assembly, the Congress has 71 MLAs, BJP 14, while the JCC (J) and BSP have three and two members, respectively. 

(With Agency Inputs)