'Matter Resolved': Chhattisgarh Min TS Deo on Row Over Cong MLA's Murder Charge

Claiming that there was a threat to his life, MLA Brihaspat Singh said that he had been attacked by Deo's aides.

Health Minister TS Deo walked out of the state Assembly on Tuesday, 27 July, demanding a clarification over the allegations of attempt to murder levelled against him by Congress MLA Brihaspat Singh.

(Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Brihaspat Singh, TS Singh Deo. Altered by The Quint)

A day after the Chhattisgarh Congress issued a notice to party MLA Brihaspat Singh over his allegations of attempt to murder against Chhattisgarh Health Minister TS Singh Deo, the latter told the press on Wednesday, 28 July, that the matter has now been resolved.

Hours after Deo had walked out of the state Assembly on Tuesday, 27 July, demanding a clarification over the allegations of attempt to murder levelled against him by Singh, the Chhattisgarh Congress had issued a notice to the latter, seeking a clarification on his statement.

PL Punia, in-charge of the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee, had issued a show-cause notice to Singh over his comments, and had sought a response from the MLA within 24 hours, news agency PTI reported.

"The matter has been resolved now. Our focus will be to fulfil the responsibilities of the state as a team now," Deo was quoted as saying by news agency ANI on Wednesday.

What Are the Allegations?

Ramanujganj MLA Brihaspat Singh on Sunday, 25 July, had alleged that his convoy had been attacked by aides of of the health minister in the state's Surguja district, which falls under Deo, PTI reported.

Claiming that there was a threat to his life, Singh had said that he had been attacked by three persons, including a relative of the health minister, while travelling in his vehicle on Saturday evening, The Hindustan Times reported.

Singh had filed a police complaint in the Ambikapur district against Sachin Singh Deo, a relative of the health minister, The Wire reported.

The Ramanujganj MLA further stated that his commendation of Chief Chhattisgarh Minister Bhupesh Baghel had ruffled Deo, who himself aspires to the top position, thereby leading to the assault. The allegation comes amid speculations of the preparation of a formula for the sharing of the CM's post in the state.

What Happened in the Assembly?

The opposition BJP on Monday had demanded that the House acknowledge the matter of the allegation and order an inquiry into the claim, HT reported.

While Home Minister Tamradhwaj Sahu spoke about the incident of the accident on Tuesday, calling it a 'road rage incident', he did not address about the allegations made by Singh against Deo.

Leader of Opposition, Dharamlal Kaushik, subsequently pressed the House to address the issue, PTI reported.

Following this, Assembly speaker Charan Das Mahant observed that he had not received any complaint from either of the two party members regarding the matter of contention, and therefore could not call them to speak on the issue.

Amid the uproar, Deo told the assembly speaker, “On your direction yesterday, the chief minister had called us in his chamber and a discussion took place (on the alleged rift)... even after that, such a limited statement (from home minister) was made before the House," PTI reported.

“I don't believe I am in a position that I can attend the House till the government presents a clear reply on the issue… I don't consider myself eligible to participate in the proceedings of this House till the time the government does not put a clear reply in this context,” he further asserted, before walking out.

Congress Chhattisgarh's Notice to MLA Brihaspat Singh

"Your statement has tarnished the image of the party," the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee stated in a show-cause notice to Singh, seeking a response on his allegations against Health Minister Deo, ANI reported.

"This was a small matter. He (MLA Brihaspat Singh) claimed TS Singh Deo wanted to kill him. But he didn't say this before IG, Home Minister, CM. I think he said this in a fit of emotion," PL Punia had said, ANI reported, adding that the matter will be resolved on Wednesday.

(With inputs from PTI, ANI, The Wire and The Hindustan Times)