First-time MLA named Chhattisgarh BJP chief

RAIPUR: First-time MLA Kiran Singh Deo was appointed the Chhattisgarh BJP president on Thursday, stepping into the shoes of Arun Sao who is now the deputy chief minister.

Deo is the legislator from Jagdalpur, the lone unreserved seat in Bastar region. The 61-year-old was the mayor of Jagdalpur Municipal Corporation for three years and has been actively involved in the party's organizational activities for decades.

BJP national secretary Arun Singh issued the letter, appointing Deo the state party chief. Deo hails from the erstwhile 'zamindar' family of Sukma under the Bastar Maharaja. A grassroots leader, he has held several key posts in the past 25 years. He was party general secretary from 2018 to 2022 and served as the Bilaspur division in charge of BJP.

Deo held several positions in past 25 years
Deo hails from the erstwhile 'zamindar' family of Sukma under the Bastar Maharaja. A grassroots leader, he has held several key posts in the past 25 years - BJYM Bastar district president in 1998, and from 2002 to 2005, BJP state secretary from 2005 to 2009, party working committee member from 2009 to 2014, and secretary from 2015 to 2018. Deo was party general secretary from 2018 to 2022 and served as the Bilaspur division in charge of BJP.

The party placed its trust in him during the 2023 assembly elections, and granted him his first assembly poll ticket. He won by over 30,000 votes.

Bastar region, which comprises 12 seats, played a crucial role in the state government's formation this time as well. Deo succeeds Arun Sao, who was appointed deputy chief minister in the Vishnu Deo Sai government after the BJP stormed back to power in the recent assembly elections.TNN