Chhattisgarh: Is TS Singh Deo Quitting Congress? Health Minister Hints To Have Been Contacted By AAP

Chhattisgarh Health Minister TS Singh Deo said Saturday that five generations of his family have been in the Congress and that it is difficult for him to even think beyond Congress.

Chhattisgarh Health Minister TS Singh Deo | Getty Images

New Delhi: Chhattisgarh Health Minister TS Singh Deo said Saturday that five generations of his family have been in the Indian National Congress (INC) and that it is difficult for him to even think beyond Congress. Deo's statement came amid rumours of him meeting with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders, news agency ANI reported.

He said that he will not join the BJP because of ideological differences. On Saturday, Deo attended a 'Meet the Press' program organised at the Press Club of Raipur, where he openly spoke about his political life.

"I will not join the BJP because of ideological differences... Five generations of my family have been in Congress. I am not leaving the party. It is difficult for me to even think beyond Congress," an ANI report quoted Deo as saying.

Deo hinted at the fact that AAP leaders had contacted him. He told reporters that he has not met Arvind Kejriwal, but it is true that in politics, there are people who contact each other. "So, it's not like that no one contacted me. But I told them the same thing, I am telling you right now, that generations of my family have been in Congress and I will continue the tradition," Deo said.

Deo said that the situation of the AAP in Chhattisgarh is not like the situation in Punjab or the national capital. 

On the question of joining another party, he said that he will not go to the BJP and that he is not with the party ideologically. 

In the 2018 Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh, Congress won 68 out of 90 seats. Deo said that after the result, he was called to Delhi to meet party leadership with three other leaders.

"After the result, four persons were called to Delhi to meet party leadership over the issue of CM. Bhupesh Baghel, Charandas Mahant, Tamradhwaj Sahu and me. Discussions were held and the leadership took the decision," Deo said.  

Assembly elections are slated to be held in Chhattisgarh next year.