Village head, MP and now CM: Tribal face who wore many hats
Hindustan Times|December 11, 2023
It was an appointment foretold. It was November 9, two days after 20 seats in Chhattisgarh had already gone to the polls in the first phase of a crucial two phase election.
Ritesh Mishra
Village head, MP and now CM: Tribal face who wore many hats

Union Home Minister Amit Shah found himself in the tribal town of Kunkuri in the deeply forested district of Jashpur, in the north of the state. He spoke of the BJP’s expectations in the first phase, and said that they were already on their way to victory. Then, in minute 13 of his 15 minute speech, Shah began talking about the local Kunkuri candidate. “Mothers, brothers and sisters, Vishnu Dev ji is an experienced worker. He is a leader, he is a parliamentarian, he is a legislator, he has been party president. The BJP has brought in front of you an experienced leader. Make him an MLA, and we will do the work of making him a big man,” Shah said. The partisan crowd in front of him roared. One month and three days later, 59-year-old Vishnu Deo Sai was announced the new Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh.

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