'Kaun Banega Mukhya Mantri': Baghel Jibes At BJP Over Delay In Choosing C’garh CM — WATCH

Baghel's comments come amid growing impatience within the political sphere regarding the delay in naming Chief Ministerial candidates for Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan.

File Photo Of Congress Leader Bhupesh Baghel

Source : PTI Images

Chhattisgarh's caretaker Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel took a slight jibe at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the impending selection of the Chief Minister in three states, likening it to the popular show 'Kaun Banega Crorepati'. Baghel's comments come amid growing impatience within the political sphere regarding the delay in naming Chief Ministerial candidates for Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan.

"We are eagerly waiting to know who will be the Chief Minister. Just like 'Kaun Banega Crorepati', similarly this question of 'Kaun Banega CM' is being raised in three states," Baghel was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. 

#WATCH | Chhattisgarh caretaker CM and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel says, "...We are eagerly waiting to know who will be the Chief Minister. Just like 'Kaun Banega Crorepati', similarly this question of 'Kaun Banega CM' is being raised in three states..." pic.twitter.com/7W0q9SBBW9

— ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2023

Earlier today, Ashok Gehlot, the caretaker Chief Minister of Rajasthan, criticised the BJP for the delay, citing a "lack of discipline within the party (BJP)". Gehlot lamented the lack of quick decision-making and hinted at the potential consequences if Congress had followed suit. In response to Gehlot's criticism, Rajasthan BJP chief CP Joshi defended the party's process, citing the delayed formation of the government in 2018 and questioning the delay in naming the Leader of the Opposition. Read the full report here. 

READ | Suspense Over CM Candidate For 3 States Grows As BJP Leaders Hold Meetings With Contenders

The BJP is set to convene a meeting of the 54 newly elected MLAs in Chhattisgarh on Sunday to elect the leader of its legislative party, who will subsequently become the next Chief Minister. The party has appointed Union ministers Arjun Munda and Sarbananda Sonowal, along with BJP general secretary Dushyant Gautam, as observers for Chhattisgarh.

The BJP secured 54 out of 90 seats in the state, while the Congress, which previously held 68 seats in 2018, was reduced to 35 seats. The Gondwana Gantantra Party (GGP) won one seat in the assembly elections. The BJP, choosing not to announce a chief ministerial candidate during the elections, will rely on the observers to facilitate the selection process during the legislative party meeting.

Speculation abounds regarding the potential appointment of new faces as Chief Ministers in all three states. Names such as Raman Singh, Ramvichar Netam, Saroj Pandey, Arun Sao, OP Chaudhary, and Vishnu Deo Sai are reportedly frontrunners for the chief minister's position in Chhattisgarh. The BJP is considering an OBC or tribal chief minister if Raman Singh, a seasoned party leader, is not selected. According to media reports, Renuka Singh is also under consideration if the party opts for a woman leader. The BJP's decision is eagerly awaited as the political landscape in Chhattisgarh undergoes a leadership transition.