Sai’s name was actively considered among the leading candidates, alongside former Chief Minister Raman Singh.
Raipur: Vishnu Deo Sai, the former President of the Chhattisgarh BJP, is set to assume the role of the state’s new Chief Minister. The BJP found itself in deep discussions regarding the selection of a chief ministerial candidate following its resounding victory in Chhattisgarh, dismissing exit polls that had predicted a challenging contest with the Congress.
“In my capacity as Chief Minister, my utmost priority will be to fulfill the pledges made to the people. Every stratum of society experienced hardship during the five years of Congress rule. Approximately 18 lakh people have been left without the benefits of the Pradhan Mantri Awas scheme. On December 25, Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s birth anniversary, farmers will receive a bonus for two years… We are committed to fulfilling all the assurances made under ‘Modi Ki Guarantee,'” he declared.
Vishnu Deo Sai’s name was prominently mentioned among the top contenders, alongside former Chief Minister Raman Singh.
Vishnu Deo Sai is poised to become the first tribal Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh.
Sai served as the State President of the BJP from 2020 to 2022 and held the position of Union Minister of State for Steel in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inaugural term. Additionally, he represented Chhattisgarh’s Raipur constituency as a Lok Sabha member and is a member of the BJP’s National Working Committee.
Following the formation of the Congress government in 2018, and the subsequent restructuring of the BJP’s organization, Vishnu Deo Sai assumed the role of State President of the BJP. In 2022, Arun Sao took over as the party’s State Unit Chief, succeeding Sai.
“Vishnu Deo Sai has been unanimously selected as the leader of the legislative assembly… We are committed to advancing the state under his guidance… We diligently fulfill the responsibilities outlined by the party. With unwavering dedication, under the leadership of Vishnu Deo Sai, we will elevate the state to unprecedented heights,” affirmed BJP leader OP Chaudhary in a statement to ANI.
Sai initiated his political journey as a panchayat leader, subsequently serving as a member of the Madhya Pradesh assembly from 1990 to 1998. In 1999, he secured election to the 13th Lok Sabha.
He went on to secure re-elections in subsequent terms, representing Raipur in the Lok Sabha.
With his appointment as Chief Minister, the BJP has its sights set on garnering substantial tribal votes in the state for the upcoming 2024 general elections.
In the Chhattisgarh assembly elections, Sai emerged victorious from the Kunkuri Tribal seat with a commanding margin of over 25,000 votes.
The Bharatiya Janata Party secured 54 seats in Chhattisgarh, while the Congress managed to win only 35 seats.
