Chhattisgarh's Bhupesh Baghel Gets UP Elections Role Amid Congress Tumult

Speculation about a possible change of guard in Congress-ruled Chhattisgarh after Punjab has intensified over the last few days.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel was made a senior observer for next year's Uttar Pradesh assembly elections by the Congress on Saturday amid turmoil in the party over the top job in his state.

Mr Baghel, who had played a crucial role in the Assam assembly elections with his team carrying out extensive booth training of party workers, has in the past discussed the preparations for the elections in UP with Congress general secretary in-charge Uttar Pradesh Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

"The Congress president has appointed Shri Bhupesh Bhagel, chief minister, Chhattisgarh, as AICC senior observer for the ensuing elections in Uttar Pradesh, with immediate effect," the Congress said in a statement.

Speculation about a possible change of guard in Congress-ruled Chhattisgarh after Punjab has intensified over the last three days after two dozen party MLAs, considered close to Nr Baghel, flew to Delhi in a possible move to thwart a switch.