It was a prearranged meeting. On November 9, two days had passed since the first phase of a significant two-phase election in Chhattisgarh had seen the election of 20 seats. In the densely forested Jashpur district in the north of the state, Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister, found himself in the tribal town of Kunkuri. He discussed the initial phase expectations of the BJP and stated that they were already headed towards victory. At minute thirteen of his fifteen-minute speech, Shah then turned to the local Kunkuri candidate. Sisters, mothers, and brothers, Vishnu Dev ji is a skilled laborer. He is a lawmaker, a leader, a member of parliament, and a former president of the party. You are facing an experienced leader, thanks to the BJP. We’ll work to make him a big man; make him an MLA,” Shah remarked. In front of him the partisan mob bellowed. Vishnu Deo Sai, then 59, was named the new Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh one month and three days later.

Although Sai’s family has been involved in Jana Sangh politics for much longer, he started his political career at the age of 25 in his hometown of Bagiya, in the Kansabel region of Jashpur, when he became a panch. In Madhya Pradesh’s pre-divided state, his grandfather Budhnath Sai was nominated as an MLA from 1947 until 1952. When the Jan Sangh party defeated Indira Gandhi in 1977, Narhari Prasad Sai, the older brother of his father, was elected as an MP (1977–79) and served as the Union minister of state for telecommunications. He also held two terms as an MLA from the Tapkara constituency as a member of the party.

Vishnudev Sai: A Journey from Humble Beginnings to Prominent Tribal Leader and Politician in Chhattisgarh

According to Sai’s younger brother Jai Prakash, Sai attended the private Loyola School in Kunkuri for his education. He then traveled 150 kilometers to Amibikapur to attend a government college, but he dropped out to care for his mother and two brothers after his father, a farmer named Kedarnath, passed away in 1988. However, he had a family history of politics; by 1989, he was a panch, and by 1990, he was Bagiya’s unopposed sarpanch. That same year, he ran for and won his first legislative election, this time from the Tapkara seat in the then-undivided state of Madhya Pradesh.2009 and 2014 saw two more Raigarh parliamentary elections for him. The only elections he lost were the 2003 and 2008 assembly elections.Sai ran successfully for the Raigarh Lok Sabha seat in the 2009 elections and won reelection. In 2014, he won once more while serving the Raigarh constituency. Known as one of the most prominent tribal leaders in the state, Sai served as the minister of state for the steel department in the first cabinet of Narendra Modi from 2014 to 2019. He served as party president for a second term, from 2018 to 2022.

His mother Rajmani Devi stated that she wanted her son to “listen to everyone, be there in good and bad times, and help everyone” in their Bagiya village. His demeanor and character will enable him to assist the people of Chhattisgarh. My son’s appointment as chief minister brings me immense delight. “Everyone and everything is taken care of by Vishnudev. I had four sons, and Omprakash passed away,” the mother stated. He enjoyed close ties with Raman Singh and was a prominent candidate in the CM post race, alongside former CM Raman Singh and state party president Arun Sao.

During his tenure in politics. Chief Minister Raman Singh and the late Dilip Singh Judev, a mainstay of north Chhattisgarh politics, were close to Sai, who has earned a reputation as a man who builds long-lasting relationships. Sai’s association with the RSS and the Sangh’s tribal wing, the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, is reportedly a result of his work on conversion issues with Judev. After Judeo, who spearheaded a statewide campaign against conversion, he is the most prominent BJP leader in north Chhattisgarh. Sai quietly labored among the tribesmen and rose to prominence following Judeo’s passing. 

Also Read: Congress meets to review poll results; INC expresses “disappointment but not despair” over party’s vote share retention.

Final Thought

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In order to look into the inadequacies in the assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh that caused the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) to defeat the Indian National Congress (INC), the party held separate review meetings on Friday to discuss the election results. The party asserted that PTI had not predicted its defeat. Today is another scheduled assembly election results review meeting in Rajasthan.Rahul Gandhi, the former president of the party, and other prominent figures were present when Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge called the review meeting at the All India Congress Committee headquarters in Delhi.“Today, a meeting was held at the Congress headquarters in Delhi to review the results of the Chhattisgarh election,” stated a statement from the party. Distinguished Congressmen Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge were present at this meeting.” The party additionally released images from the review meeting that showed the leaders’ discussions about the results of the Chhattisgarh election and their attendance.“Today, a meeting was held at the Congress headquarters in Delhi to review the results of the Chhattisgarh election,” stated a statement from the party. Distinguished Congressmen Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge were present at this meeting.” The party additionally released images from the review meeting that showed the leaders’ discussions about the results of the Chhattisgarh election and their attendance.

Review meeting for Chhattisgarh

The Congress party is proactively analyzing and strategizing for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in response to the results of the Chhattisgarh election. Congress General Secretary K C Venugopal has directed state Congress presidents to submit a thorough report on the party’s performance, booth by booth, in reaction to the unsatisfactory results. This thorough analysis of the election data seeks to pinpoint areas in need of development and strengthen the party’s relationship with the voting public.Venugopal conveyed the party’s resolve to come together and present a formidable opposition to the BJP government in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The Congress party’s grassroots members are still driven and unwavering in their resolve to serve the people in spite of the setback.The AICC general secretary for Chhattisgarh, Kumari Selja, echoed this sentiment, pointing out that despite the disappointing results, there is still hope. Drawing strength from their conviction that they have not lost any of their voter base, she confirmed the party’s readiness to run a united front in the Lok Sabha elections. Selja emphasized that the public has faith in the Congress party, and the results of the poll in Chhattisgarh will be closely examined to improve the party’s electoral approach.

Review meeting for Madhya Pradesh

They also talked about the reasons behind the party’s defeat in Madhya Pradesh, according to AICC general secretary in-charge Randeep Surjewala. He stated, “We openly discussed the reasons for the party’s defeat and leaders analysed the shortcomings of the party within the forum.”According to Surjewala, the president of the Congress had talks and received approval from all the leaders to decide how to fortify the group. According to him, “We urged him to hold a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party in Madhya Pradesh and appoint an observer for its next meeting to enable it to elect the new leader of opposition,” Surjewala explained. According to PTI, he added, “The results are disappointing and are not as per our expectations.”

Review meeting in Rajasthan

Arriving in Delhi to attend the Rajasthan review meeting, Congress leader Govind Singh Dotasra’s arrival is significant. Attending this event demonstrates the party’s dedication to reflection and long-term planning. Dotasra stressed the need to pinpoint the areas that need to be improved and examine the circumstances that contributed to the party’s comeback to power in Rajasthan.Examining the party’s performance in Rajasthan in detail is made possible by the review meeting. It includes a thorough evaluation of all the accomplishments and failures that influenced the electoral environment. In order to improve its tactics and strengthen its position in advance of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Congress party is conducting this introspective process.The party’s commitment to comprehending the concerns of the people and responding to their needs is demonstrated by Dotasra’s statement. 

The Congress party understands the importance of flexibility and responsiveness as the political landscape continues to change.Overall, the party’s dedication to ongoing development and its determination to maintain its influence in state politics and beyond are symbolized by the Rajasthan review meeting and Govind Singh Dotasra’s active participation in it. It illustrates how the party has taken the initiative to modify its strategies and platforms in order to better suit the shifting goals of the public.Ashok Gehlot is a Congress leader and the acting chief minister of Rajasthan; his arrival in Delhi for the Rajasthan review meeting is a significant political development.

Also read : BJP Condemns Telangana CM Revanth Reddy Controversial Statement as ‘Dirty’ and ‘Irresponsible

FINAL THOUGHT

A perceived lack of discipline within the party is highlighted by Gehlot’s claim that the BJP has failed to present a Chief Ministerial face in the three states where it has won. This finding raises concerns about the leadership selection and internal coordination procedures of the BJP. According to Gehlot, there might be rifts or uncertainty within the BJP’s ranks as the party is unable to field a strong candidate for chief minister.Gehlot’s statement further highlights the Congress party’s commitment to upholding discipline and coherence in its approach, hinting at a sense of accountability within the party. While stressing the value of eschewing divisive strategies and concentrating on policy-driven politics, he makes references to the possible outcomes if the Congress had taken a similar course.Gehlot expresses concern over the state of political discourse in India, as seen by his reference to the polarization of polls. The mention of polarization raises the possibility that the BJP employed identity-based or polarizing tactics in the election, which may have influenced the result of the vote.The Congress party’s reaction to the results of the Chhattisgarh election shows a dedication to reflection, cohesion, and a fresh emphasis on gaining the public’s confidence and support in the next Lok Sabha elections.

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Controversy Erupts Over Revanth Reddy’s Alleged ‘DNA’

Congress lawmaker Revanth Reddy came under heavy fire on Thursday from the Bharatiya Janata Party for what they claimed to be a DNA remark, claiming that he and other party officials were trying to split India apart. On the same day that Revanth Reddy was sworn in as Telangana’s chief minister, the scathing remarks became public.

Revanth Reddy, who led the Congress to victory in Telangana, allegedly claimed that K Chandrashekar Rao’s DNA belonged to Telanagans while that of Bihar during an interview with journalists. “My DNA is Telangana…They migrated from Bihar to Vijayanagaram and from there to Telangana,” he reportedly stated. Telangana DNA is better than Bihar DNA,” according to PTI. In response, BJP leader Ashwini Choubey claimed that the Congress party was attempting to foster an unclean environment. In addition, he criticised Nitish Kumar for not answering the comment.

“This is an unfortunate statement. The Congress party’s members cultivate such an unclean atmosphere. Such a CM’s statement is regrettable and concerning.Bihar’s DNA is very good. The whole country knows about it…Bihar CM Nitish Kumar is sitting silent.The people will respond to them,” he said.Reddy’s remark was alluded to as “irresponsible and shameful” by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad.

“For what reason don’t Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Bihar Boss Pastor Nitish Kumar denounce this insensitive and divisive statement?Is the DNA of Bihar weaker than Telangana?” he said.The leaders of Congress are attempting to sow discord throughout the nation. After taking office as Telangana’s chief minister, Revanth Reddy declared, “their DNA is better than Bihar’s DNA.” A Congress MP had before claimed that there is a “north-south” division. Nobody in the Congress has asked them yet to withdraw their statement,” he stated.64 seats were gained by the Congress in the elections. 39 seats went to the BRS.

At today’s swearing-in ceremony for Reddy, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and other Congress leaders were present.