"Vishnu Deo Sai: Catalyst for Change as Chhattisgarh's New Chief Minister"

Vishnu Deo Sai, a tribal leader and member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is poised to become the new Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, succeeding Ajit Jogi. His political career includes serving as a "National Working Committee Member" of the BJP and as Union Minister of State for Mines and Steel in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initial Cabinet.

Hailing from the influential Sahu (Teli) community, Sai won the Chhattisgarh Election 2023 from the Kunkuri constituency, defeating Congress candidate UD Minj with a substantial 25,541-vote margin.

His victory is significant as it marks the first time a tribal party worker from a farmer's family has been elected as the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh. PC Mohan, Lok Sabha member from Bangalore Central constituency, announced Sai's appointment on Sunday, emphasizing his grassroots leadership.

Sai's political journey also saw him serving as the BJP's Chhattisgarh president from 2006 to 2010 and again from January to August 2014. Despite being denied a ticket for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, he remained actively involved in the party.

The formal announcement of Sai as Chhattisgarh's new Chief Minister was made on Sunday, with the exact date of his oath-taking ceremony yet to be disclosed. Ajit Jogi was the state's first tribal Chief Minister; however, he was ruled out as a Scheduled Tribe (ST) in 2019.

Sai's political influence extends beyond electoral victories, as he played a crucial role in leading the BJP in Chhattisgarh during various challenging periods, including after the party's loss of power in 2018. In 2020, he was again given the responsibility to lead the party in the state.

His tenure as Chief Minister is expected to commence before January 3, 2024, coinciding with the end of the Chhattisgarh Assembly's current term. The appointment of Sai reflects the BJP's emphasis on diverse leadership, particularly from tribal backgrounds, in the state.