BJP tribal leader Vishnu Deo Sai, aged 59, assumed the role of Chhattisgarh’s fourth chief minister in a ceremony held at Raipur’s Science College ground on Wednesday. Arun Sao, the state party chief, and first-time MLA Vijay Sharma also took oaths as deputy chief ministers during the event, officiated by Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan. Sai, who initiated his political journey as the sarpanch of Bagiya gram panchayat in 1990, represents the Kunkuri legislative assembly in Jashpur district. Elected as the BJP legislature party leader last Sunday, Sai previously served as an MLA at the age of 26 in undivided Madhya Pradesh and held the Raigarh Lok Sabha constituency for four consecutive terms starting in 1999. He also served as the Union minister of state in the Modi government from 2014 to 2019.
Arun Sao, the BJP’s OBC face, represents the Lormi assembly constituency, while Vijay Sharma, the party’s state general secretary, hails from Kawardha, known as the ‘Dharm Nagri’ of Chhattisgarh. Sai’s initial challenges include establishing rapport with his deputies, selecting a 12-member cabinet from 54 MLAs, and fulfilling the party’s pledges made during the Assembly polls, especially given the state’s tight fiscal situation. The BJP secured a significant number of seats in the tribal belt, a crucial factor in Chhattisgarh politics.
After the oath-taking ceremony attended by prominent leaders, including PM Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah, Sai proceeded to the state secretariat at Nava Raipur-Atal Nagar, the new capital, where he performed puja rituals before assuming office. The announcement of the ministerial team is awaited, raising expectations of further surprises from the BJP in Chhattisgarh.
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