Verdict shows Congress can win without Ajit Jogi: TS Baba

Three-term Congress MLA from Ambikapur, Tribhuvaneshwar Saran Singh Deo, popularly known as TS Baba, is one of the contenders for chief ministership in Chhattisgarh. A member of the former royal Sarguja family, Deo told Dalip Singh in an interview that people’s one-sided verdict is “pro-Congress. Excerpts:

Is it anti-BJP mandate?
It is a pro-Congress verdict. Rahulji led from the front and fixed responsibilities and this translated into this kind of a verdict.


Did farm loan waiver and higher MSP promises help Congress?
These and many other things were there in our manifesto. Rahulji had said though it was not our business we would clear farm bonus backlog. Farmers using up to five HP pumps will not be charged for electricity.

It appears the tribals have sided with Congress. Why?
It was because of insensitivity of the 15-year-old (BJP) government. How can they deny tribals their right to be protected? They came with policies which would divert ‘mahua’ fruit from the forest to excise department. It helps a tribal family earn Rs 10,000 every season... It’s managed by the society and not a single officer comes in between in distribution of trees... Further, just before the polls, you come up with a bill which says that tribal land can be bought by non-tribals. The root of tribal identity is the land...how could you not understand that?

Has Ajit Jogi created space for alternative politics?
This win is contrary to perception that Congress cannot win without Jogi support. Within Congress, he was sabotaging… He was under the influence of Raman Singh (because) cases are pending against him.

Was not projecting a CM face a strategy or a compulsion?
We had many leaders of equal status and calibre.

Are there many claimants to the CM’s chair?
I have not staked claim. First, the legislature party will meet and then the assessment of the central observer and the feedback will go to Rahul Gandhiji. A lot of factors are taken into consideration.