TS Singhdeo: A royal scion who rose to become Chhattisgarh’s deputy CM
From a prominent royal family to the corridors of power in Chhattisgarh, TS Singhdeo navigates his political journey with unwavering dedication.
The senior Congress leader and health minister of Chhattisgarh has been appointed as the deputy CM after a long tussle with CM Bhupesh Baghel.
TS Singhdeo, the senior Congress leader and health minister of Chhattisgarh, has been appointed as the deputy chief minister of the state, ending a long tussle with chief minister Bhupesh Baghel. The announcement was made by Congress general secretary KC Venugopal on Wednesday, after a meeting of the party leaders in Delhi. Singhdeo, who is also the current titular Maharaja of Surguja, is one of the most prominent and influential leaders of the Congress in Chhattisgarh. He has been elected from the Ambikapur assembly constituency three times since 2008 and was the leader of the opposition in the state assembly from 2013 to 2018. He is also known as ‘TS Baba’ or ‘Maharaj’ among his supporters and followers.
Who is TS Singhdeo and what is his political journey?
TS Singhdeo, whose full name is Tribhuvaneshwar Saran Singh Deo, was born on October 31, 1952, in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. He belongs to the erstwhile royal family of Surguja, which ruled over a large part of present-day Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. His father, Madneshwar Saran Singh Deo, was the last ruler of Surguja before it merged with India in 1948. His mother, Devendrakumari Singh Deo, was also from a royal family of Rewa. He has an elder sister, Rajkumari Urvashi Singh Deo.
The Unconventional Politician
Tribhuvaneshwar Saran Singhdeo, commonly referred to as TS Singhdeo or ‘TS Baba,’ represents the Ambikapur constituency in Chhattisgarh, an integral part of the Sarguja district. The unmarried politician, who holds a Master’s degree in History, first became an MLA in 2008. His political journey witnessed a significant boost when he was re-elected in 2013 and subsequently named the Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly. Despite hailing from a royal lineage and being one of the richest candidates in the state, Singhdeo has maintained a persona that resonates with the people, hence his endearing nickname ‘Maharaj.’
Singhdeo completed his schooling at St. Joseph’s College in Nainital and graduated from Hamidia College in Bhopal with a master’s degree in history. He was interested in politics since his college days and joined the Congress party in 1977. He contested his first election in 1980 from Ambikapur Lok Sabha constituency but lost to BJP’s Dilip Singh Judeo. He contested again in 1984 and 1989 but lost both times.
He shifted his focus to state politics and contested his first assembly election in 1998 from Sitapur constituency but lost to BJP’s Ram Pratap Singh. He contested again in 2003 from Ambikapur constituency but lost to BJP’s Anurag Singh Deo. He finally won his first assembly election in 2008 from Ambikapur constituency by defeating BJP’s Ram Pratap Singh. He retained his seat in 2013 and 2018 by defeating BJP’s Anurag Singh Deo.
Leader of Opposition
He became the leader of the opposition in the state assembly in 2013 and played an active role in exposing the corruption and misrule of the BJP government led by Raman Singh. He also led the Congress campaign in the 2018 assembly elections, which resulted in a landslide victory for the party. He was considered one of the frontrunners for the chief minister’s post, but eventually, Bhupesh Baghel, who belongs to the OBC community, was chosen over him. Singhdeo was made a cabinet minister in the Baghel government and given five portfolios – health and family welfare, medical education, 20-point program implementation, commercial taxes and panchayat and rural development.
Scramble for Power: CM Post Tussle After 2018 Elections
The 2018 Chhattisgarh elections were a turning point in the state’s political scenario. The incumbent BJP, led by three-term CM Raman Singh, faced stiff competition from the Congress. The Congress’ victory in 68 of the 90 Legislative Assembly seats ignited a scramble within the party to decide the next CM. Eventually, Bhupesh Baghel secured the role, resulting in a perceived slight to Singhdeo. The decision, despite sparking some resentment, was seen as a strategic move to balance power dynamics within the party.
Political Rivalry: The Baghel-Deo Contest in Chhattisgarh
The political journey of Singhdeo and Baghel has been punctuated by public disagreements and differences on various state matters, most notably the 2022 coal mining project in the Hasdeo Aranya forests. Singhdeo’s firm stand against environmental exploitation conflicted with Baghel’s initial support for the project. However, the Chief Minister eventually conceded and put the project on hold.
In another major event in July 2022, Singhdeo relinquished two of his ministerial portfolios, citing the non-allocation of necessary funds and an overreaching committee of secretaries, disrupting his department’s operations. These disagreements only intensified the Baghel-Singhdeo rivalry, injecting uncertainty into Chhattisgarh’s political environment.
What are his achievements and challenges as a leader?
Singhdeo is widely regarded as an able administrator and a visionary leader who has worked for the development and welfare of his constituency and state. He is credited with bringing several projects and schemes to Ambikapur and Surguja, such as roads, bridges, hospitals, schools, colleges, power plants, irrigation facilities, etc. He is also known for his initiatives on the health and education sectors, such as providing free treatment for Covid-19 patients, launching telemedicine services, distributing sanitary napkins to girls, promoting organic farming, etc.
A simple life
Singhdeo is also respected for his honesty, integrity, humility, and generosity. He is unmarried and lives a simple life. He is often seen mingling with people and listening to their grievances. He is also involved in various social and cultural activities, such as organising festivals, sports events, literary programs, etc. He is also an avid reader and writer who has authored several books on history and politics.
Tensions and Resolutions: Singhdeo’s Appointment as Deputy CM
However, Singhdeo also faces several challenges and controversies as a leader. He has been accused of being arrogant, ambitious, and elitist by his critics and rivals. He has also been involved in a long tussle with CM Baghel over the leadership and governance of the state. He has also expressed his dissatisfaction over the allocation and performance of some portfolios, such as panchayat and rural development. He has also been vocal about the need for a rotational chief ministerial system in the state, as promised by the Congress before the 2018 elections. He has also faced some allegations of corruption and nepotism in his dealings with some contractors and NGOs.
The appointment of Singhdeo as Deputy CM, amidst the growing discord, could be seen as a strategic move by the Congress leadership. This decision potentially aims at healing intra-party fissures ahead of the upcoming Legislative Assembly elections. It also represents the continuing trend of appointing Deputy CMs in Indian states as a means of balancing power and managing differing interests within ruling parties. Singhdeo’s appointment could thus serve as a crucial element in preserving unity within Chhattisgarh’s Congress party while steering the state towards further development.
