Amit Shah to chair central zonal council meet in Bastar on May 19

RAIPUR:: Bastar might soon host a central zonal council meeting for the first time, with Union home minister Amit Shah expected to chair the high-level inter-state meet in Jagdalpur on May 19. The meeting is expected to focus on inter-state coordination, security, infrastructure, socio-economic development and pending issues between the four member states. However, officials indicated that the final programme may still be subject to last-minute changes, and Raipur remains a possible alternative venue.They said that chief ministers of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand are expected to attend the meeting, which is being seen as politically and administratively significant as it comes after the Centre’s March 31, 2026 deadline to end armed Left-wing extremism.As per the tentative schedule, Shah is likely to reach Jagdalpur on the night of May 18, stay overnight, chair the council meeting the next day and return to Delhi in the evening. The state govt has already begun preparations, with chief secretary Vikas Sheel seeking department-wise reports on action taken after the previous council meeting and pending matters.