After days of anticipation, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has officially declared former Union Minister Vishnu Deo Sai as the new Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh.

Sai, renowned as one of the most senior tribal leaders in the state, boasts a substantial political background. A former Union Minister and four-time Lok Sabha MP, the 59-year-old leader has also served as a two-time MLA in undivided Madhya Pradesh.

Commencing his political journey as the sarpanch of a small village, Sai climbed the political ladder to become a member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's inaugural Council of Ministers in 2014 when the BJP secured a full majority government at the Centre.

Amidst the announcement, warm wishes poured in from party members. Adding to the well-wishers, Sai's mother expressed her desire, stating, "I want him to serve the country and its people".

The BJP made a remarkable comeback in Chhattisgarh, reclaiming 54 seats in the 90-member Assembly. This triumph defied expectations set by exit polls and a confident Bhupesh Baghel leading the Congress charge as the Chief Minister in the previous term. The BJP's seat tally surged from 15 in 2018 to 54, while the Congress, which had secured 68 seats in 2018, witnessed a significant drop to 35.