Chhattisgarh Assembly Election: Who Will Be The Next Chief Minister?
As result trend shows a clear-cut victory for BJP in the state of Chhattisgarh, the question next arises is who will be the next serving chief minister of the state. The party’s parliamentary body will decide on the decision soon.
As per the current trend, BJP is leading in 55 seats and Congress in 35. The results are coming out in contrast to the exit polls which predicted a clear sweep of all seats for Congress. Thought the initial trends in the beginning favoured Congress, the trends later took a swift turn.
BJP will have to decide on whether to choose a tribal or an OBC face for the ministerial post.
The possible candidates:
- Dr Raman Singh:
Raman Singh is the former and longest-serving chief minister of Chhattisgarh. The 71-year-old politician is widely regarded as ‘Chaaur wale baba’ for his public distribution system initiatives. Singh contested in Rajnandgaon and he belongs to OBC weaving community. Singh has won three times from the same constituency.
In the 2003 assembly election, BJP won the assembly election with majority of 50 out of 90 seats. The BJP’s face Dilip Singh Judeo was mired in a corruption scandal and thus the party opted Raman Singh to be their chief minister. During his time of governance, he was at the forefront of the development of the state during his term in governance.
Though he was widely regarded for his 15 years as chief minister, his government faced several allegations which includes, corruption, the state-sponsored militia, Salwa Judum, created in the name to take on Maoists which later became controversial after allegations of violence against the villagers.
- Arun Sao:
BJP if opts for an OBC face, then BJP state chief Arun Sao will be the first priority. He has represented Bilaspur Lok Sabha constituency in three consecutive terms and has strong influence among OBC communities.
In 2019, after defeating Congress candidate Panna Lal Sahu by a margin over 160,000 votes, Arun Sao was elected to the 17th Lok Sabha Assembly. From 2013 to 2018, he served as the cabinet minister for Forest and Environment. In 2010, he was elected as a member of the Chhattisgarh Legislative assembly from Lormi constituency.
3. Renuka Singh, Minister of state for Tribal affairs of India Renuka Singh is another contender who might be considered for the post if BJP opts for a women face and a prominent tribal influence.
OP Choudhary, former IAS officer and Vijay Baghel, former municipal councilor are the other prominent options.
