Tribal leader Mohan Markam appointed president of Chhattisgarh Congress

Nearly five months after forming the government in Chhattisgarh, Congress president Rahul Gandhi has appointed tribal leader Mohan Markam as the president of the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee.

The Kondagaon MLA’s elevation to the post was announced on Friday.

With his appointment, Markam has become the first tribal leader to head the party unit in the state.

Makram has a massive task facing him, to strengthen the party after the Lok Sabha drubbing.

After a resounding victory in the assembly election, Congress could only manage to win two seats in the state, that too with great difficulty.

As per sources, CM Baghel had asked Rahul Gandhi to appoint someone to head the state unit as he has his hands full as the Chief Minister.

The post for the state party president was a close contest between Markam and another tribal leader Amarjeet Bhagat, who is a multi-term MLA from Sitapur in north Chhattisgarh.

Prior to Markam, Mahendra Karma - who was killed by Naxalites in an ambush - was one Adivasi leader who was the Leader of Opposition for the Congress.