Raipur
The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) has expanded its state executive body, appointing 47 new office-bearers. Rahul Yograj has been named the new president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), replacing Ravi Bhagat. Vibha Awasthi has been appointed the president of the Mahila Morcha. Hemant Panigrahi is the new media convener and Santosh Pandey has been made the chief spokesperson.
The expanded organisation includes 4 vice-presidents, 3 general secretaries, 8 secretaries, 4 organising secretaries, 6 joint secretaries and 22 members. Eight secretaries have been assigned different departments to enhance the party’s presence on all fronts. According to the party, the appointments were made to strengthen the organisation ahead of upcoming elections.
In a reaction to the new team, former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel posted on social media platform X, saying that Ravi Bhagat “paid the price” for raising questions about corruption in DMF and CSR funds related to Adani. Baghel said a message had been sent to a young tribal leader that speaking against the “Adani team” would come at a cost. He claimed that after taking away the water, forests, and land of tribals, the BJP is now snatching away their leadership.
Congress leader Dhanendra Sahu said the new executive body was announced one and a half years after Kiran Singh Deo was re-elected as state president. He said replacing all the old office-bearers points to growing distrust and factionalism within the party.
The new names were approved in a meeting chaired by the state president. The new vice-presidents will be tasked with strategic planning and public relations, while the general secretaries will lead organisational work and program implementation.
