From Village Leader To Chief Minister: The Journey Of Vishnu Deo Sai From Village Leader To Chief Minister: The Journey Of Vishnu Deo Sai Vishnu Deo Sai’s journey from a simple village leader to the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh is a testament to his strong leadership and decision-making abilities. Recognised for his exceptional leadership qualities, Sai was elected unopposed as the Sarpanch of his village, Bagiya, in 1990. That same year, he also won the Tapkara Assembly seat on a BJP ticket, marking the beginning of his political career.
Following the BJP’s victory in the 2023 Chhattisgarh Assembly elections, several names were speculated for the Chief Minister’s post. However, Vishnu Deo Sai emerged as the top choice, not only due to his popularity with the BJP leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, but also because he was the first choice of the BJP Legislature Party. This unanimous support reflects the trust in his leadership. In just 1 year as Chief Minister, Sai has revitalised the state’s development, showcasing his ability to take bold, swift decisions and maintain a strong connection with the public.
Sai’s straightforward personality, strong will, and rapid decision-making have helped him gain respect and credibility. His tenure has seen significant achievements, such as the transfer of Rs 3716 crore in paddy bonuses to farmers, the purchase of a record 145 lakh tonnes of paddy at Rs 3100 per qunital, and financial support to 70 lakh women through the Mahtari Vandan Yojana. Additionally, 18.12 lakh Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana houses were sanctioned, and a budget of Rs 12168 crore was allocated to support these initiatives.
One of his noteworthy decisions was increasing the price of tendu leaves from Rs 4000 to Rs 5500 for forest dwellers, reflecting his commitment to improving the livelihoods of marginalised communities. Sai’s leadership was further evident during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, where he played a pivotal role in securing 10 out of 11 seats for the BJP in Chhattisgarh and helped the party win in neighbouring states like Odisha and Madhya Pradesh.
Born on February 21, 1964, in the village of Bagiya in Jashpur district, Vishnu Deo Sai was raised in a rural environment by his parents, the late Ram Prasad Sai and Jasmani Devi. His father passed away when Sai was only 10, forcing him to prioritise family responsibilities over education. Despite this, he continued to work on the family land and later took initiatives to improve local agriculture, including developing irrigation systems and helping fellow farmers grow vegetables.
The youngster displayed goalkeeping masterclass in the shoot-out, saving all four of Pakistan’s attempts after the match was drawn 1-1 in regulation time.
Vishnu Deo Sai’s political journey was influenced by his family’s legacy. His grandfather, Budhanath Sai, served as an MLA, and his uncle, Narhari Prasad Sai, was a Member of Parliament and Union Minister. However, Sai initially distanced himself from politics to focus on agriculture. His entry into politics was guided by the late BJP leader Dilip Singh Judeo, whom he regarded as a mentor and political guru. Sai joined the BJP and started participating in Jansangh and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh programmes. In 1989, he was elected Panch of his village and later became Sarpanch in 1990. He served as an MLA for two terms from 1990 to 1998 and then as MP for Raigarh from 1999, winning four consecutive terms. He also served as the Minister of State for Steel, Mines, Labour, and Employment in the Modi Cabinet from 2014 to 2019.
His leadership abilities were recognised within the party, leading to his appointment as the state president of the BJP in Chhattisgarh in 2006, a role he held again from 2020 to 2022. In 2023, he was inducted into the BJP’s National Working Committee, and on December 13, 2023, he took oath as the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, becoming the state’s first tribal Chief Minister.
Philanthropic spiritIn addition to his political success, Vishnu Deo Sai is known for his philanthropic spirit. During his tenure as an MP, his Delhi residence served as a veritable shelter for patients from Chhattisgarh seeking medical treatment. As Chief Minister, he established Kunkuri Sadan in Raipur to provide accommodation for patients and their families. Sai is deeply committed to the education of tribal communities and the development of basic infrastructure in remote areas.
Married to Kaushalya Devi, who is also actively involved in social causes, Vishnu Deo Sai is a family man with two daughters and a son. His journey from a village leader to Chief Minister is not just a political story but a tale of perseverancesure win ph, empathy, and dedication to the betterment of his people.