Vishnu Deo Sai stakes claim to form government in Chhattisgarh

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh chief minister designate Vishnu Deo Sai on Sunday called on Governor state governor Bishwabhushan Harichandan and staked his claim to form the government following his unanimous election as the Leader of the BJP Legislature Party.

Accompanied by his party colleagues, the 59-year-old tribal leader, Sai, drove to Raj Bhawan where he met the Governor and presented a letter staking claim to form the government. BJP enjoys a strength of 54 members in the 90-member Assembly.

After their meeting with the Governor, senior BJP leader Brijmohan Agrawal told reporters that the party is yet to take a decision about the date of swearing-in which will be conveyed to the Governor accordingly. He indicated that the date would be decided in consultation with the party leadership as they expect Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party President J P Nadda and Home Minister Amit Shah could attend the swearing-in ceremony.

Asked about the possible shape and composition of the Cabinet, Agrawal quipped, “wait and see what happens.” About the possibility of the state having a deputy chief minister, he said it was upto the party high command to take such a decision.

After meeting the Governor, the chief minister designate drove to Pauhna-the state guest house which has now been converted into a temporary residence for the chief minister for a period of about one month. Minutes after the meeting, the Governor invited Vishnu Deo Sai to form the government in Chhattisgarh.