Vishnu Deo Sai

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Vishnu Deo Sai
official portrait, 2023
4th Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh
Assumed office
13 December 2023
GovernorB. Harichandan
DeputyArun Sao
Vijay Sharma
Preceded byBhupesh Baghel
Member of Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly
Assumed office
3 December 2023
Preceded byU.D. Minj
ConstituencyKunkuri
President of Bharatiya Janata Party, Chhattisgarh
In office
2 June 2020 – 9 August 2022
Preceded byVikram Usendi
Succeeded byArun Sao
In office
21 January 2014 – 16 August 2014
Preceded byRam Sewak Paikra
Succeeded byDharamlal Kaushik
In office
31 October 2006 – 11 May 2010
Preceded byShiv Pratap Singh
Succeeded byRam Sewak Paikra
Minister of State
Government of India
In office
26 May 2014 – 30 May 2019
Ministry
Term
Minister of Steel26 May 2014 – 30 May 2019
Minister of Mines26 May 2014 – 5 July 2016
Minister of Labour & Employment26 May 2014 – 9 November 2014
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
In office
1999–2019
Preceded byAjit Jogi
Succeeded byGomtee Sai
ConstituencyRaigarh
Member of Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly
In office
1990–1998
Preceded byNand Kumar Sai
Succeeded byNand Kumar Sai
ConstituencyTapkara
Personal details
Born (1964-02-21) 21 February 1964 (age 60)
Bagiya, Madhya Pradesh
(now in Chhattisgarh, India)
Political partyBharatiya Janata Party
Spouse
Kaushalya Sai
​
(m. 1991)​
Children3
Residence(s)Bagiya, Kunkuri
EducationLoyola Higher Secondary School, Kunkuri

Vishnu Deo Sai (born 21 February 1964) is an Indian politician currently serving as the 4th Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh.[1] He is the first senior tribal leader in Central India.[2] Sai is the member of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).[3] He currently represents Kunkuri in Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly.[4]

He officially became Chhattisgarh's first tribal Chief Minister after taking oath on December 13, 2023.[5]

Sai is known for his decisive approach in addressing public welfare issues. His dedication extends beyond Chhattisgarh, as he has actively engaged with tribal concerns in states including Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, and Maharashtra.[6]

Early life

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Sai was born in a farmer's family in the village of Bagiya, located in the Farsabahar development block of Jashpur district, Chhattisgarh. His father, the late Shri Ramprasad Sai, and mother, Smt. Jasmani Devi Sai, raised him in this rural setting. [7]

His educational journey led him through higher secondary schooling in Kunkuri, within the Jashpur district. Hailing from the tribal Kanwar community, Sai's roots are deeply embedded in agriculture, with a family lineage entrenched in politics. He draws inspiration from his late uncles, Narhari Prasad Sai and Kedarnath Sai, both esteemed politicians.[8]

Narhari Prasad Sai served as an MLA from the Lailunga Assembly constituency from 1962 to 1967 and from the Bagicha Assembly Constituency from 1972 to 1977. Later, he held the position of Member of Parliament and Union Minister of State for Communications from 1977 to 1979. Kedarnath Sai represented the Tapkara Assembly Constituency during the Jan Sangh era from 1967 to 1972. Additionally, Sai's grandfather, the late Budhnath Sai, established a political legacy as an MLA from 1947 to 1952.[9][4]

Education

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Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai pursued his education up to the Higher Secondary level. Unfortunately, his father passed away when he was in the fourth standard, leaving him with the responsibility of supporting his mother, Jasmani Devi, and his two younger brothers, Om Prakash Sai and Vinod Sai. Following his Higher Secondary education, he was unable to continue his studies further and instead took up agriculture to provide for his family.[9][10]

During this period, he became familiar with Late Dilip Singh Judeo, a prominent leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party and then Member of Parliament. Vishnu Deo Sai regards Late Dilip Singh Judeo as his political mentor and guide.[11]

Political career

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Sai started off humbly in politics in 1989, when he was elected Panch of Bagiya Gram Panchayat in undivided Madhya Pradesh. The 1990 Sarpanch of Gram Panchayat Bagiya was elected without a single vote due to his exceptional leadership skills. He won the seat of member of the assembly for the Tankara Assembly constituency that same year, marking his entry into legislative politics.[9][12]

Sai continued his rise in politics by holding the position of MLA for two terms in a row, from 1990 to 1998. After that, he entered national politics and, beginning in 1999, won four terms in a row as the representative for the Raigarh Lok Sabha constituency. From 1999 until 2014, Sai served in the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th Lok Sabha, making significant contributions during that time. Sai's dedication to serving the public also extended to his ministerial positions. From May 27, 2014, until 2019, he effectively oversaw the Ministry of Steel, Mines, Labor, and Employment as a Union Minister of State.[13]

Sai was named the BJP's Chhattisgarh State President in 2006 after being recognized for his leadership within the organization. He then served in this capacity again from 2020 to 2022. He was named to the BJP National Working Committee as a special invitee member on December 2, 2022. He was then elevated to the rank of full member of the BJP National Working Committee on July 8, 2023.[9][14]

The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee administering the oath as Minister of State to Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, at a Swearing-in Ceremony, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on May 26, 2014

Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh

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PM Modi with Vishnu Deo Sai and Biswabhusan Harichandan

In a BJP meeting, it was announced that Vishnu Deo Sai will become the next Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh along with Arun Sao and Vijay Sharma as deputy CM. On 13 December 2023, Sai took oath as Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh and Arun Sao and Vijay Sharma were elected as Deputy Chief Ministers of Chhattisgarh at the Science College ground in Raipur.

Philanthropy

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Beyond politics, Sai has actively engaged in social work, particularly focused on tribal education and the development of essential infrastructure in tribal regions. He has been a consistent advocate for improving the living standards of backward tribes, reflecting a deep-rooted commitment to social welfare. Known for his reverence for Lord Shri Ram, Sai staunchly opposes conversions through compulsion or deception.[6][15]

Kanwar Community Development

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Within the Kanwar community of Chhattisgarh, Vishnu Deo Sai is a well-known and revered individual who serves as a guide to the group's members. In addition to Sai, his wife, Kaushalya Sai, is an active participant in the processes that lead to the development of the Kanwar community. There is a sizeable community of members of the Kanwar tribe in Northern Chhattisgarh. These individuals can be found in all six districts that make up the Surguja division, as well as in the districts of Bilaspur, Korba, Raigarh, and Janjgir. Throughout the Kanwar community, Vishnu Deo Sai has been an important figure in the process of raising awareness about the need of education.[9][16]

Naxalism Stance

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Since assuming the role of Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Vishnu Deo Sai has swiftly implemented numerous decisive measures for public welfare, profoundly impacting both the state and national political landscape. In tackling the longstanding issue of Naxalism in Chhattisgarh, Sai has employed a strategy of "Boli ka Jawab Boli Se aur Goli ka Jawab Goli" (dialogue for dialogue, and bullet for bullet).[17][18]

Within a mere four months of his tenure, security forces engaged in multiple encounters with Maoists in Bastar, resulting in the killing of over 100 Naxalites, including several high-profile leaders with substantial bounties on their heads. Notably, a large number of Maoists and their supporters have surrendered, drawn by the rehabilitation policies of the Chhattisgarh Government. Concurrently, the Vishnu Deo Sai government has significantly increased the number of security camps in Bastar.[19] The "Niyad Nellnar" scheme has been initiated to foster Bastar's development through these security camps, ensuring that villages within a five-kilometer radius receive the benefits of various Central and State Government schemes, thereby promoting comprehensive community development.[20]

Personal life

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On May 27, 1991, Vishnu Deo Sai entered into marriage with Kaushalya Devi Sai, with whom he shares a family consisting of one son and two daughters.[10]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Vishnu Deo Sai to be the 4th Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh: Sources". India Today. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  2. ^ Sikdar, Shubhomoy (10 December 2023). "Tribal veteran Vishnu Deo Sai chosen as the new Chhattisgarh Chief Minister". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  3. ^ राव, पी श्रीनिवास (2 June 2020). "ब्रेकिंग: पूर्व केंद्रीय मंत्री विष्णुदेव छत्तीसगढ़ भाजपा के नए अध्यक्ष, दिल्ली में राष्ट्रीय महासचिव अरुण सिंह ने किया नाम का ऐलान". Dainik Bhaskar.
  4. ^ a b The Hindu (10 December 2023). "From village sarpanch to Chief Minister, Vishnu Deo Sai has risen through the ranks". Archived from the original on 22 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  5. ^ Sikdar, Shubhomoy (13 December 2023). "Vishnu Deo Sai, his two deputies take oath in Chhattisgarh". The Hindu.
  6. ^ a b "Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai, a non-controversial tribal leader with strong organisational skills". The Times of India. 11 December 2023.
  7. ^ "BJP's tribal face Vishnu Deo Sai to be C'garh CM". Hindustan Times. 10 December 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  8. ^ "VISHNU DEO SAI : Bio, Political life, Family & Top stories". The Times of India.
  9. ^ a b c d e "Vishnu Deo Sai: A Leader Nurtured by Commitment and Service". Bru Times News.
  10. ^ a b "Vishnu Deo Sai's Wife, Family: The Tribal Leader BJP Picked As Chhattisgarh CM". Times Now. 10 December 2023.
  11. ^ "Chhattisgarh: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai's Historic Moment With Late Dilip Singh Judeo Revealed In Throwback Photo". Free Press Journal.
  12. ^ "Members : Lok Sabha". 164.100.47.194.
  13. ^ "Who is Vishnu Deo Sai, BJP's Chhattisgarh CM pick? 10 things to know". Hisndustan Times.
  14. ^ "Vishnu Deo Sai's turnaround: Replaced as state BJP chief pre-polls, named Chhattisgarh CM post-victory". The Indian Express. 10 December 2023.
  15. ^ Sikdar, Shubhomoy (23 December 2023). "Vishnu Deo Sai | Rising above the script". The Hindu.
  16. ^ "Meet Vishnu Deo Sai: Tribal leader set to become Chhattisgarh Chief Minister". India Today. 10 December 2023.
  17. ^ "Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai: 'Naxals referred to Congress govt as our govt … People have lost faith in them'". The Indian Express. 26 March 2024.
  18. ^ "Chhattisgarh CM Stresses Fight Against Naxalism, Praises Security Personnel For Abujhmad Op". news.abplive.com. 15 June 2024.
  19. ^ Sikdar, Sobhana K. Nair & Shubhomoy (19 April 2024). "Vishnu Deo Sai interview | 'When Congress was in power, Naxals believed their own government was ruling'". The Hindu.
  20. ^ "Vishnu Deo Sai government defeats Naxalism with proactive Puvarti Model". The New Indian Express. 3 March 2024.
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