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Journalism of Courage
In what is being seen as a power tussle within the ruling Congress in Chhattisgarh, the state party in-charge Kumari Selja reversed its Chhattisgarh president Mohan Markam’s decision of reshuffling some key party posts ahead of the Assembly elections later this year.
Earlier this month, Markam had met Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi. Few days after his visit, on June 16, he reshuffled the posts of six people in the party. Arun Sisodia, who is said to be close to Markam, was given two posts — general secretary (administration), as well as general secretary (organisation). These posts were earlier handled by Ravi Ghosh and Amarjeet Chawla respectively.
Ghosh was asked to go to Bastar division, while Chawla, who is said to be close to Markam, was given charge of Raipur city, state Youth Congress and state National Student Union of India. Pratima Chandrakar, who was the in-charge of Raipur, was pushed to Rajnandgaon as district in-charge, while Yashwardhan Rao, who is from Markam’s home district Kondagaon, was given charge of training (of party workers).
In the past, Chawla had been served a notice by the Congress party, following which he had distanced himself from the party’s 85th Plenary session. Phone calls and messages to Chawla, asking for his reaction, went unanswered.
Five days later, on June 21, Selja issued an order, asking Markam to cancel his order and post Ravi Ghosh as general secretary of administration as well as organisation, requesting that her order be implement with immediate effect. The order was preceded by a meeting held at Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel’s residence, which was attended by senior party leaders, including Markam and Selja.
Till date no new order has been issued by Markam. But speaking with media persons, he assured that he will obey her senior Selja’s order. Markam said, “We all respect her and we will follow her instructions. The postings were done because we felt the new posts were well suited for those who were chosen. The media is portraying it in a wrong way. Ghosh is our senior leader from Bastar and I felt he was best suited there. But whatever Selja ji says shall be done.”
Insiders said Selja had cancelled Markam’s choices as he had not keep her in the loop about the reshuffling. However, other party sources sympathised with Markam. “He is the party chief. He has not appointed anyone, hence he did not inform Selja ji. He simply reshuffled the posts,” said a source.
Party sources said Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel wants Markam to be replaced, as although they are not at war, they have had disagreements in the past. “Soon, a committee will be formed by the party to distribute Assembly tickets. Markam ji and Baghel ji are among the most important people in the committee that will decide who will get tickets and which MLAs may lose theirs this time. So, Baghel ji wants someone who will agree with his choices. If there are multiple choices for a single constituency, then the central committee will decide who gets the ticket,” said a party source.
Even though Markam’s tenure as the state party president has ended, party sources said there is no time left to replace him, as the elections are very near and a last-minute change in the top post may cause more problems.
The BJP pounced on the wrangling within the Congress, with its leaders hinting at Baghel while alleging that Markam is being insulted and held hostage by other senior leaders because he is a tribal. Responding to these allegations, Vikas Vijay Bajaj, spokesperson and Congress media cell coordinator, said, “There are no issues within our party as alleged by the BJP. They (BJP) should instead concentrate on their own internal issues and try to save their remaining seats at the elections this year.”
