He officially became Chhattisgarh's second tribal Chief Minister after taking oath on December 13, 2023.[5]
Sai is known for his decisive approach to 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
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
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 a Member of Parliament. Vishnu Deo Sai regards Late Dilip Singh Judeo as his political mentor and guide.[11]
Political career
Sai started 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 a 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
PM Modi with Vishnu Deo Sai and Biswabhusan Harichandan
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
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
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]
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana
In compliance to the Prime Minister's guarantee, the construction of permanent housing under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana has commenced for over 1.8 million poor families in the state.[21]
Good Governance
Vishnu Deo Sai established Good Governance. Government has taken consistent action against corruption. Numerous cases of corruption alleged to have occurred during the tenure of the previous Congress government are being swiftly investigated. These cases involve a range of scandals, including those related to coal, liquor, sand, teacher recruitment, PSC recruitment, and the Mahadev app. The involvement of key political figures from the Congress party in these scandals has garnered national attention, placing these cases in the spotlight on a broader scale.[22][23]
On Good Governance Day, December 25, 2023, the state government transferred an amount of ₹3,716 crore as two years' pending bonus into the bank accounts of 1.3 million farmers, thus fulfilling the guarantee.[24]
The 'Shri Ramlala Ayodhya Dham' Darshan Yojana in Chhattisgarh has also been started by the Vishnu Deo Sai administration. This program offers the state's believers free pilgrimage tours to Ayodhya.[25]
With the hike in remuneration rate for Tendu Patta collection from ₹4,000 per standard bag to ₹5,500 per standard bag, Vishnu Deo Sai government has benefited 12 lakh 50 thousand families engaged in Tendu Patta collection.[26]
Krishak Unnati Yojana
The Vishnu Deo Sai administration of Chhattisgarh has fulfilled the guarantee under the Krishak Unnati Yojana by purchasing paddy from farmers at a rate of ₹3,100 per quintal, with a maximum of 21 quintals per acre. A record-breaking 14.492 lakh metric tons of paddy were procured from 24 lakh 75 thousand farmers in the state in 2023–2024. The support price of ₹31,913 crore and the differential amount of ₹13,320 crore have been disclosed.[27][28]
Women empowerment
'Mahatari Vandan Yojana' has been introduced by the Vishnu Deo Sai government to support women's socio-economic empowerment in the state.[29] More than 70 lakh women in the state are receiving ₹1,000 a month deposited into their bank accounts under this plan.[30][31]
On the lines of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to build 'Developed India', the Vishnu Deo Sai government has set a goal to build 'Developed Chhattisgarh'. In the same sequence, the state government is preparing a vision document titled "Amritkal Chhattisgarh Vision @2047."[32]
Personal life
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]
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