Chhattisgarh BJP May Appoint Deputy CM Along With Vishnu Deo Sai as Chief Minister

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Chhattisgarh is considering appointing a deputy chief minister, according to senior leader Raman Singh. The announcement came ahead of a meeting of the newly elected MLAs in the state to elect their legislative party leader.

Vishnu Deo Sai Elected as Chief Minister

Following the meeting, Vishnu Deo Sai, a prominent tribal leader, was chosen as the chief minister. This decision sparked speculation in local political circles that the BJP might appoint two deputies to assist Sai in governing the state.

BJP's Victory in Recent Assembly Polls

The BJP secured a significant victory in the recently held polls, winning 54 seats in the 90-member Assembly. This outcome resulted in the defeat of the incumbent Congress government led by Bhupesh Baghel. The Congress, which had won 68 seats in 2018, suffered a significant loss, ending up with only 35 seats this time.

Appointment of Deputy CM

During the meeting of 54 newly elected MLAs at Kushabhau Thakre Parisar, the party's state headquarters, Sai was elected as the leader of the BJP's legislative party. Prior to the meeting, Raman Singh had hinted at the possibility of appointing a deputy CM along with other key positions.

Potential Candidates for Deputy CM

Although no official announcement was made during the legislative party meeting, there has been speculation about who might be chosen as the deputy CM. Several names have been circulating in political circles, including state unit chief Arun Sao, IAS-turned-politician OP Chaudhary (both from Other Backward Classes), and Vijay Sharma, an MLA from the general category.

Significance of OBCs in Chhattisgarh

The OBCs constitute a substantial portion of the state's population, accounting for approximately 45%. Arun Sao belongs to the influential Sahu Teli community, which has a strong presence in the Durg, Raipur, and Bilaspur divisions. On the other hand, Vijay Sharma, a Brahmin, achieved a notable victory by defeating influential Congress leader and minister Mohammad Akbar in the Kawardha seat with a margin of 39,592 votes.

Decision-Making Process

When asked about the appointment of a deputy CM, Arun Sao stated that the decision would be made by the chief minister and the party leadership. This indicates that the final decision on who will serve as deputy CM rests with Vishnu Deo Sai and the BJP's central leadership.