Bhupesh Baghel named next Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh

The Congress has chosen Bhupesh Baghel, its Chhattisgarh unit president, as the state’s next chief minister following the party’s large win in the assembly election.

How the choice was made

Congress president Rahul Gandhi met the four contenders at his New Delhi home on Tughlaq Lane for several rounds of talks on Saturday. They were Bhupesh Baghel, Charan Das Mahant, Tamradhwaj Sahu and TS Singh Deo. The decision followed discussions with senior leaders over the weekend.

Mallikarjun Kharge, the party’s central observer, said it had been a difficult choice. “It was a tough decision because all the four leaders worked equally for the party and they all are equal,” he said.

Swearing-in and challenges

Kharge said Baghel would be sworn in on Monday, December 17, and that the rest of the cabinet would be decided later. He said the party faced several challenges after returning to power in the state after 15 years, but would keep its election promises and was confident Baghel would perform well.

Visiting the Governor’s house in Raipur hours after the announcement, Baghel said decisions on a deputy chief minister and the cabinet would be taken after he took oath. He said many national leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and chief ministers of several states, were expected to attend the ceremony.

What happened next

The Congress had won 68 seats to the BJP‘s 15 in the election, and Baghel served as Chief Minister after it.

See also: Political leaders

Originally published on 16 December 2018. Rewritten on 9 October 2026.

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