CM Baghel Effects Major Cabinet Reshuffle

Raipur: Chhattisgarh Chief Miner Bhupesh Baghel on Friday effected a major cabinet reshuffle ahead of the state assembly elections scheduled for next year.
The reshuffle saw the induction of former state Congress chief Mohan Markam as a miner, while senior miner TS Singh Deo was given the energy portfolio.
Markam, who had been critical of Baghel in the past, was inducted into the cabinet as a miner of state for education. He was also given the charge of the tribal welfare department.
Deo, who had been demanding the chief miner’s post, was given the energy portfolio in addition to his exing portfolios of home and urban development.
Other key changes in the cabinet include; Ravindra Choubey, who was holding the energy portfolio, was shifted to the health and family welfare department. Mohammad Akbar, who was holding the revenue and disaster management portfolios, was shifted to the forest and environment department.
Brihaspati Singh, who was holding the rural development and panchayati raj portfolios, was shifted to the school education department. Prem Prakash Pandey, who was holding the agriculture and horticulture portfolios, was shifted to the commercial taxes department.
The cabinet reshuffle comes at a time when the Congress is gearing up for the assembly elections in Chhattisgarh. The party is hoping to retain power in the state, where it has been in office since 2018.
The reshuffle is seen as an attempt Baghel to consolidate his position within the party and to send a message of unity ahead of the polls. It is also seen as an attempt to address the concerns of Deo and his supporters.
The reshuffle has been welcomed the Congress party, which sees it as a positive step ahead of the assembly elections. However, it has also been criticized some political observers, who say that it is a sign of the growing factionalism within the party.
Only time will tell whether the cabinet reshuffle will help the Congress to retain power in Chhattisgarh. However, it is clear that Baghel is determined to do everything he can to ensure that the party wins the next election.