Raipur: Chhatisgarh Congress president Bhupesh Baghel was declared the state's chief minister on Sunday. The decision was taken in a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) in Raipur a day after four top contenders for the job met party president Rahul Gandhi at his residence in New Delhi.
Earlier, Gandhi met Chhattisgarh leaders Bhagel, leader of opposition in the outgoing state Assembly TS Singhdeo, Lok Sabha MP Tamradhwaj Sahu and Charan Das Mahant. Bhagel and Singhdeo were said to be the top in the race for the top job.
The development came five days after the Congress swept to power in the 90-member Chhattisgarh Assembly, winning 68 seats and ending 15 years of BJP rule.
A formal announcement about Baghel's election at the Rajiv Bhavan would be made here shortly by senior Congress leaders from Delhi, a party leader told IANS.