Former Chhattisgarh deputy CM TS Singhdeo and ex-chief minister Bhupesh Baghel appeared together during a Congress protest in Surajpur, where the party opposed an FIR against district vice-president Narendra Jain. The leaders also travelled together to a public meeting venue, sending a political message amid ongoing PCC-related speculation.

Congress Leaders Unite

Senior Congress leaders in Chhattisgarh put up a show of unity in Surajpur district on Monday as former deputy chief minister T. S. Singh Deo and former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel shared the stage during a protest in Vishrampur.

The protest was organised outside Vishrampur police station against an FIR registered against Congress district vice-president Narendra Jain. The case was filed following a complaint by BJP district president Murli Manohar Soni.

What drew attention, however, was the political optics surrounding the event. Singhdeo himself drove the car carrying Baghel to a municipal election meeting in Shivnandanpur after the protest gathering. The development came at a time when discussions around the state Congress leadership and internal equations have remained in focus.

‘We Are Always Together’

Speaking to reporters during the programme, Singhdeo dismissed suggestions of political distance within the party leadership.

He said he and Baghel have “always been together” and noted that political responsibilities often keep leaders occupied separately. Singhdeo added that leaders remain in touch regularly even if those interactions are not visible publicly.

The remarks came amid recent political chatter linked to the state Congress unit and the role of senior leaders ahead of future organisational decisions.

State Congress president Deepak Baij was also present at the protest site along with several senior party leaders.

Protest Over FIR

According to Congress leaders, Vishrampur police registered a case against Narendra Jain under charges including intimidation, abuse and provisions of the Arms Act.

The Congress alleged that the FIR was politically motivated and intended to influence the ongoing Shivnandanpur Nagar Panchayat election process.

Addressing party workers and local supporters, Baghel questioned the police action and accused the administration of failing to act fairly. He said if procedural mistakes had been committed by local officers, senior officials had the authority to intervene.

Baghel warned that the agitation could expand across the division and other parts of Chhattisgarh if the case was not reviewed.

Questions Over Arms Act

Singhdeo also raised questions about the inclusion of Arms Act provisions in the FIR.

He asked whether any weapon had actually been used or recovered during the incident and argued that Congress workers were being targeted during the election period. The former deputy CM demanded withdrawal of the case.

Deepak Baij, meanwhile, accused the police of working under political pressure. During the protest, he said the party was not intimidated by stringent legal provisions but insisted that action should follow a fair investigation.

Baij referred to his own political experience and said police authorities must explain how Arms Act sections were invoked without adequate verification.

Dharna Continued Overnight

The protest continued through the day under intense summer heat and extended late into the night. Congress workers remained stationed outside the police station with mats and bedding spread across the protest site.

Several senior leaders joined the dharna, including Korba MP Jyotsna Mahant, former minister Amarjeet Bhagat and other regional Congress figures from Surajpur and nearby districts.

Party leaders said the agitation would continue if the FIR was not withdrawn.

Congress Forms Committee

The Chhattisgarh Congress has also constituted a seven-member inquiry committee to examine the matter. State general secretary Malkeet Singh Gaidu announced the panel, which includes district Congress chiefs and senior regional office-bearers from the Surguja region.

The committee is expected to gather details surrounding the dispute and submit its findings to the party leadership.

What Triggered The Dispute

According to Congress leaders, the controversy began after BJP worker Mittal Pandey allegedly visited Narendra Jain’s business establishment in Vishrampur during the local election campaign.

Congress claimed an argument broke out over election-related issues and alleged that threats were exchanged during the confrontation.

The BJP complaint later accused Jain of abusing and threatening Pandey with a sharp weapon. Based on the complaint, police registered the FIR late at night.

The incident has now escalated into a larger political confrontation, with Congress leaders turning the Surajpur protest into a wider campaign over alleged misuse of police action during elections.