Tribal face Vishnu Deo Sai has become the chief minister of Chhattisgarh edging out the contention of former chief minister Raman Singh. Sai is the second tribal chief minister of Chhattisgarh after Ajit Jogi who was the chief minister from Congress after the state was created in 2000.
The BuckStopper had predicted the BJP's experimentation with tribal CM in its story dated December 8, 2023.
Also Read: Trial for a tribal CM, BJP rides on tribal wave
The main architect of Chhatisgarh win Om Mathur is said to be behind decision of appointing a tribal chief minister. Home minsiter Amit Shah during the campaign had said the public of Kunkuri, which Sai represents, “Make him the MLA, we will give him big responsibility.”
Sai is considered close to former chief minister Raman Singh and had been the favourite to be picked up as the chief minister.
Sai is among rare politicians of Chhattisgarh who had been member of assembly in undivided Madhya Pradesh. He has been four time MP and three time MLA. He is currently representing Kunkuri assembly segment.
Sai, 60, has been BJP state president and had also been minister of state in three ministries of central government. He represented steel ministry, labour and employment ministry and mines ministry during 2014-2019.
By selecting Sai as the CM, BJP is targeting 30% ST population, which will play an important role Lok Sabha elections.
Sai helped BJP to wipe out Congress from his area – Sarguja. BJP won all 14 seats in Surguja Division.
Ram Kumar Kaushik is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience across mediums. The architect of this news website, he is also a consultant with several media groups. He was formerly the group managing editor of ITV Network (NewsX, India News and The Sunday Guardian) and its digital products.
