Vishnu Deo Sai emerges as the new Chhattisgarh Chief Minister: Sources
At 59, Mr. Sai is endorsed by the party's ideological mentor, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. His proximity to former Chief Minister Raman Singh, a towering figure in the state, adds significant support
New Delhi, December 10: In anticipation of the 2024 general elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has selected Vishnu Deo Sai, a tribal leader and former Union Minister, as the next Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh. The decision was finalized during a meeting of the 54 newly-elected Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) where Mr. Sai was elected as the leader of the BJP's legislative party.
The choice of Vishnu Deo Sai aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of having a tribal leader at the helm of the Chhattisgarh government, given that tribals constitute 32 percent of the state's population, making them the largest demographic group after the Other Backward Classes. This decision comes after a week of deliberations within the party.
The BJP, traditionally not a favored choice among tribal communities, managed to secure all 14 assembly seats in the tribal-dominated Surguja region and eight out of the 12 seats in Bastar, showcasing a significant shift in tribal voter sentiment.
Vishnu Deo Sai, aged 59, not only enjoys the support of the BJP but is also favored by the party's ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Furthermore, his proximity to former Chief Minister Raman Singh, who has been the party's prominent figure in the state, adds to his political standing.
A four-term Member of Parliament (MP), Sai has served as the president of the Chhattisgarh unit of the BJP since 2006, demonstrating strong organizational capabilities and maintaining a non-controversial image. Previously a member of the BJP National Working Committee, he was appointed as the junior minister for steel when the Narendra Modi government assumed power in 2014.
During a campaign rally in Kunkuri last month, Union Home Minister Amit Shah urged voters to elect Vishnu Deo Sai, promising significant recognition for him if the BJP returns to power in the state.
In the recently concluded assembly elections, the BJP secured 54 seats in the 90-member Assembly, effectively wresting power from the Congress, which saw a reduction in its seats from 68 in 2018 to 35 in the latest polls.