Chhattisgarh AICC in-charge Selja Kumari ruled out rejig in the state Congress organisation on Monday. It is being seen as a measure to preempt divisions in the ruling Congress ahead of elections.

Selja, who is here in Chhattisgarh on a visit, expressed her satisfaction over the coordination between the government and the organisation in the state. She said there was no need for any change.

Selja Kumari said such political gossips keep floating and we do not need to pay heed to them.

“Assembly elections are slated to be held in the state this year. The Baghel Government has worked to safeguard the interest of the people and the organisation is taking these schemes to the people. The Congress will move forward on the basis of this and will be in power again in the upcoming assembly elections”, Selja explained.

Local dailies carried long stories even as rumours flew thick and fast about a possible change of guard in the state Congress organisation after Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel’s recent meeting with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. Given CM Baghels’ strained relations with Markam, his camp floated stories of Food Minister Amarjeet Bhagat replacing Mohan Markam as PCC president before assembly hustings due in November this year.

Congress circles have been abuzz about the widening rift between Markam and Baghel for a long time over a host of issues including the latter’s rising one-man show. Markam loyalists claim that the efforts are underway to undermine him and his supporters in home turf Kondagaon. His close associates are being frequently targeted by the administration to diminish his clout, one of Markam’s close aides lamented.

The party brass might be well aware that it has an uphill task to strike a balance between the rival camps if it has to win the crucial assembly polls slated for this year. Markam, a TS Singh Deo protege, is believed to be backed by a galaxy of Congress leaders who fell apart with Baghel for his perceived one-upmanship.

To hand over the reins of the government and the organisation to Baghel camp simultaneously, could be disastrous for a party which has a history of scoring self goals in the height of internal feuds.