Post Election, RaGa to decide the winner of CM race in three states

Bhopal: With the decks being cleared for the Congress' return to power in Madhya Pradesh after an interval of one-and-a-half decades, the question in every politician's mind is who will assume the mantle as the state's next chief minister.

In the last week of April, the party's central leadership elevated former Union Minister Kamal Nath to the post of Congress state President replacing youthful Arun Yadav who is a Backward Classes leader. Ex-Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia was simultaneously made state Campaign Committee Chairman.

Mr Nath's endeavours to bring the party back on track were aided by former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh and other stalwarts. Prior to the Assembly elections, the Congress did not present any chief ministerial candidate though the Bharatiya Janata Party adopted the strategy of contesting under the captaincy of the then Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

The Congress Legislature Party meeting, scheduled here this evening in the presence of central observer AK Antony, will discuss the selection of a leader and the final decision shall of course be taken by Congress President Rahul Gandhi.(UNI)

Next Chhattisgarh Chief Minister: The race begins

Raipur:The race for the post of chief minister has begun after the emphatic victory of Congress in the Chhattisgarh assembly elections. Indian National Congress President Rahul Gandhi has begun consulting party workers to know their choice and opinion for the post.

Newly-elected legislators of the party will meet this evening.Mr Gandhi, greeting the party workers in the state through 'Shakti App', is seeking their opinion and choice for the post of chief minister. He has assured them that their option will be kept confidential.

According to party sources, Mr Gandhi will contact party's state and district office bearers today for consultation. All office bearers have been informed that they would get phone calls from the INC president.Party workers are feeling proud that their views have been solicited to finalise the name of Chief Minister. Some of them view this as a change in the INC.

Lobbies at work

Lobbies of supporters for contenders of Chief Ministerial post have swung into action. Backers

of opposition leader and strong contender for Chief Ministerial post TS Singhdeo have put up hoardings in his support at different parts of city. The hoardings show Mr Singhdeo extending felicitations on the huge victory of the 150-year-old party. 

Followers of another contender and former Union Minister, Dr Charandas Mahant, too have erected hoardings at various places in the city. Mr Mahant's birthday falls tomorrow. Some of the hoardings have been displayed to greet him on his birthday.     

Bhupesh Baghel, who took up the responsibility of Pradesh Congress Committee chief, after the party's defeat in previous assembly elections, is also seen as a front runner for the post of Chief Minister.

 Congress Working Committee member Tamradhwaj Sahu is also in the race for the CM post. The Durg Member of Parliament had contested the Assembly election on instruction of Mr Gandhi at the eleventh hour of the process of filing nomination papers.Options

Though posters and hoardings of both the leaders are not seen in the state capital, they are very popular and credible faces among the party workers. Mr Baghel had been aggressively and relentlessly running campaign against the Bharatiya Janata Party government in the naxalite-affected state for the past five years.

He had to undergo harassment and even face charges. Mr Baghel had to go to jail in connection with the CD scandal in the state. In spite of all such odds he tried to strengthen the party. Mr Baghel served as a minister in the Digvijay Singh government in undivided Madhya Pradesh and also in the Ajit Jogi dispensation after Chhattisgarh state formation.

Opposition leader TS Singhdeo worked in coordination with Mr Baghel till the start of election campaign and stood by him through thick and thin.  However, minor differences kept cropping up off and on between both the leaders.Former Union Minister Dr Charandas Mahant had been a part of the Madhya Pradesh government for a long time. He is popular for his simplicity and friendliness.According to party's state in-charge PL Punia, after consultation with newly elected MLAs, the party high command will finalise the name of Chief Minister.(UNI)

Newly-elected CLP in Rajasthan authorises Rahul Gandhi to choose it's leader

Jaipur: The newly elected Congress Legislature Party (CLP) at its first meeting here on Wednesday adopted a resolution to authorise the party high command for choosing it's leader to become the next Chief Minister of Rajasthan.

The one liner moved by AICC general secretary and former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot was adopted at the first session of the meeting after seeking views of all newly legislators. AUCC state incharge general secretary Avinash Pandey and observer K C Venugopal were present.

The CLP is scheduled to meet again this afternoon to further the process of election of the leader.

The party delegation is also scheduled to meet Governor Kalyan Singh around 1900 hrs this evening to stake the claim for formation of the government.The party has won 99 of the 199 seats in December 7 Assembly polls and attains mark of absolute majority with support from ally RLD member Dr Subhash Garg. The grand old party had contested the polls under pressure poll alliance with RLD, LJD and NCP.Besides the Congress, the BJP won 73 seats in the newly-elected House followed by the BSP 06, RLP 03, CPM and BTP 02 each and Independents 13.(UNI)