Will Step Down if High Command Requires: Chhattisgarh CM Baghel

"If the high command gives me any responsibility for upcoming elections in UP, I will do it," he added.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said that If the Congress high command asks him to step down as chief minister, it will be so. Image used for representational purposes. 

(Photo: The Quint)

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday, 11 July, said that If the Congress high command asks him to step down as chief minister, it will be so, news agency ANI quoted.

After a meet with the top leaders of the party at 10 Janpath in the national capital, Baghel informed that he is yet to meet KC Venugopala on Sunday.

"I did not meet Madam (Sonia Gandhi), I met Priyanka ji (Priyanka Gandhi Vadra). I will meet our (state) in-charge (PL Punia) as well as KC Venugopal," he said.

The minister responded to speculation on the matter of assuming the chief ministerial post for two and a half years, "The high command instructed me to take the oath (as chief minister), so I took the oath. When they will say someone else will be the chief minister, then it will be so. Such agreements happen in a coalition government."

His meeting lasted over an hour, ANI reported.

Ahead of the crucial elections in Uttar Pradesh, Baghel stated, "If the high command gives me any responsibility for upcoming elections in UP, I will do it."

More Details

Meanwhile, Congress in-charge Punia informed ANI that a switch of chief ministers is not a set formula.

"There is no such understanding or any formula. There is no point in such a formula as the Congress party has a three-fourth majority in Chhattisgarh. Such an agreement happens in coalition governments. Chhattisgarh is running with a three-fourth majority government," ANI quoted.

Baghel Hits Out at BJP

Meanwhile, Baghel, as per ANI, also hit out at the BJP on Sunday for its habit of "blaming others."

"BJP's habit is to put blame on others. An example is the recent Cabinet reshuffle. Vaccines and lockdown were handled by Modi himself. When the vaccination was slammed, he put the blame on Harsh Vardhan and thus he was let go."

Bhupesh Baghel

Further, censuring the opposition, Baghel said, "We have administered over 87 lakh COVID vaccines (1st dose). Vaccination in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat is fake. BJP members can't question their leaders as they will be called traitors. Not one of their nine MPs got a chance in Union Cabinet."

(With inputs from ANI)