As the BJP named Vishnu Deo Sai, a tribal leader as Chhattisgarh's first tribal chief minister, speculation heightened over selection of CMs for Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Despite recent buzz, former Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje and current MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan continue to remain key contenders. The BJP's newly-elected Madhya Pradesh MLAs will meet Monday in Bhopal to choose their legislative party leader, supervised by senior party observers. A similar legislative party meeting of Rajasthan MLAs is likely on Tuesday with different BJP central observers. After following a new leadership trend in Chhattisgarh, the BJP may opt for fresh faces in the remaining states too rather than retaining incumbents Raje and Chouhan. But the veteran leaders still stand as tough competition.

Ahead of the inauguration of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao's daughter and BRS MLC K Kavitha on Sunday termed it "a dream come true for crores of Hindus". In a Telugu social media post, Kavitha expressed happiness over the soon-to-open temple, stating that along with the rest of India, Telangana welcomes the auspicious occasion when Lord Ram's idol will be installed. She shared a video of the under-construction temple. The sanctum-sanctorum where the idol will be enthroned is nearly complete, and the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust has decided to place Ram Lalla there between 12-12:45 pm on January 22nd, 2023. Prime Minister Modi will attend next year's inaugural ceremony.

Amid suspense over Rajasthan's next CM, around 10 BJP MLAs including Ajay Singh and Babu Singh, met former CM Vasundhara Raje, a top contender, at her Jaipur home on Sunday. The BJP is yet to call a legislature party meeting to pick its legislative leader in Rajasthan. Earlier, another claimant Yogi Balaknath in an online message asked everyone to ignore the CM buzz around him as he has "yet to gain experience under PM Modi's guidance." Raje, a two-time CM, also recently met party chief JP Nadda in Delhi in a show of strength after several MLAs met her. The BJP has named Rajnath Singh among 3 central observers to oversee the legislature party meeting to elect the CM in Rajasthan. According to some reports, the other names rumored to be considered for the coveted chief ministerial role in Rajasthan are Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and Diya Kumari. [Pic: File Photo]

“I will work for 'Sabka Vishwas' & the promises made to the people of Chhattisgarh under 'Modi Ki Guarantee' will be fulfilled," said Vishnu Deo Sai, the newly appointed CM of Chattisgarh, Vishnu Deo Sai. CM Sai served as state BJP chief from 2020-2022, and was appointed Chhattisgarh's new Chief Minister on Tuesday. He becomes the second tribal CM after Ajit Jogi, who was denotified as tribal in 2019. Sai has a long political career - he was Union Minister of State for Steel in PM Modi's first cabinet and a four-time Lok Sabha MP from Raigarh from 1999-2014. Born in Jashpur as a member of the Kanwar tribe, Sai started in politics as Madhya Pradesh MLA before Chhattisgarh state was formed. In recent polls, he won from Kunkuri defeating Congress' UD Minj. An agriculturist by profession, Sai takes over the reins from Congress' Bhupesh Baghel.

The BJP has appointed former state president Vishnu Deo Sai, a tribal leader, as the new Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, replacing Congress' Bhupesh Baghel. Sai was elected leader at a meeting of 54 BJP MLAs in Raipur. "As a CM, I will try to fulfil Modi's guarantees through my government. Sanctioning 18 lakh houses under the housing scheme will be the first work," Sai said after his appointment. The party preferred an experienced senior leader with tribal roots over other contenders like MP Renuka Singh and ex-CM Raman Singh. Top leaders including Union ministers were present for Sai's election as the legislative party leader.

  Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy paid a visit to a Hyderabad hospital, checking on former CM K Chandrasekhar Rao recovering from hip replacement surgery. The 69-year-old BRS supremo had a fall days after Assembly election results. Shifted to Yashoda Hospital, KCR underwent successful surgery on December 7. Revanth Reddy's visit, marked by well-wishing, conveyed a rare moment of political camaraderie. Despite political differences, the Congress leader expressed hopes for KCR's swift recovery, highlighting a temporary pause in usual political discourse amid concerns for the senior leader's health.

The Income Tax department deployed additional cash-counting machines and personnel on Sunday to expedite processing of the over Rs 290 crore seized so far in raids on properties linked to Congress MP Dheeraj Sahu. This likely record haul came from premises connected to a liquor company associated with Sahu. The Congress distanced itself from the MP, with spokesperson Jairam Ramesh stating Sahu alone can explain the recovered cash. Initially, 30 IT officers and bank staff counted the money, but with substantial funds left, around 40 counting machines and more staff were brought in to speed up operations. The IT team also recorded statements from company officials and others related to the case against the Rajya Sabha member.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati declared her nephew Akash Anand as her successor on Sunday. The former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister announced the appointment of the 31-year-old Anand during a party meeting in Lucknow. Anand, the son of Mayawati's younger brother Anand Kumar, has grown increasingly visible within the BSP's ranks since joining in 2016. His 2022 padayatra in Rajasthan signaled his ascent as second-in-command. The move positions Anand to take over the BSP reins from his aunt ahead of crucial 2024 general elections.

Incumbent Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan escalated intrigue over the BJP's next leadership selection by posting "Ram Ram to all" on social media. The greeting, given with folded hands in an accompanying photo, has stirred speculation ahead of the party's key Sunday meeting expected to decide Chouhan's fate. Though the BJP swept MP's recent election, it may seek fresh blood across its heartland strongholds. The post came shortly before BJP observers arrive to oversee the CM selection process. Party officials dismissed overanalyzing the casual, culturally common farewell, but interest persists whether Chouhan's 15-year tenure will continue.

BJP's central observers, including Union Ministers Arjun Munda and Sarbananda Sonowal, arrived in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, to finalize the selection of the state's next chief minister. With suspense surrounding the leadership, the observers aim to meet the 54 newly elected MLAs and decide the legislative party leader later today. The delay in announcing leadership in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh draws criticism from Congress. Contenders from various communities, including tribal and OBC, are being considered. BJP secured 54 seats in the recent polls, ending Congress's rule in Chhattisgarh. Decision expected to reshape state politics.