BJP’s Chhattisgarh Appointments Spark Dissent: Losers Rewarded, Satnami Exclusion Fuels Debate Ahead of Cabinet Reshuffle

Raipur: The Chhattisgarh government has appointed 36 BJP leaders to chairmanships and vice-chairmanships of various state corporations, boards, and commissions. The list, predominantly male and featuring 15 OBC leaders, has sparked controversy due to the exclusion of the Satnami community and the inclusion of several politicians who recently lost elections. This decision has led to internal dissent within the BJP, with some leaders openly rejecting their appointments. Additionally, the list is seen as a potential precursor to a cabinet reshuffle, with speculation about new ministerial appointments following a visit from Amit Shah.

As of April 3, 2025, the Chhattisgarh state government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has released a list of appointments for chairpersons and members of various corporations, boards, and commissions. This move has sparked mixed reactions among party workers and leaders, with significant displeasure expressed on social media platforms. The list includes notable appointments of leaders who lost in previous elections, alongside a diverse representation of three minority leaders, four tribal leaders, four women, and 32 men. Speculation about an impending cabinet expansion has intensified following the release of this list.

Key Appointments in Corporations and Boards

The state government has assigned leadership roles in major corporations and boards, with a notable trend of appointing leaders who faced electoral defeats in prior assembly, municipal, or local body elections. Key appointments include:

• Bhupendra Sawanni – Chairman, Chhattisgarh State Renewable Energy Development Agency (CREDA)
• Sanjay Srivastava – Chairman, Chhattisgarh State Civil Supplies Corporation (NAN)
• Saurabh Singh – Chairman, Mineral Development Corporation (lost the 2023 assembly election on a Congress ticket before joining BJP)
• Deepak Mhaske – Chairman, Chhattisgarh Medical Services Corporation (CGMSC)
• Kedar Gupta – Chairman, Milk Federation
• Rajiv Agarwal – Chairman, Chhattisgarh State Industrial Development Corporation (lost a corporator election)
• Nand Kumar Sahu – Chairman, Raipur Development Authority (lost the Raipur Rural assembly election)
• Anurag Singhdeo – Chairman, Chhattisgarh Housing Board (lost the last assembly election)
• Ram Sewak Paikra – Chairman, Chhattisgarh State Forest Development Corporation (former Home Minister, re-emerging after a period of political inactivity)
• Rakesh Pandey – Chairman, Chhattisgarh Khadi and Village Industries Board (brother of former MP Saroj Pandey)

Additional tribal leaders appointed include Vikas Markam, Rampratap Singh, and Surendra Kumar Besra, aimed at maintaining regional balance, particularly in the Surguja region. Decisions regarding the Beverage Corporation and Film Development Corporation remain pending.

Social Media Reaction and Worker Displeasure

The release of the list has triggered widespread discontent among BJP workers and leaders, evident through posts on social media. Many had high expectations from these appointments, hoping for recognition of their efforts in party activities. While some express their frustration openly, others do so subtly, reflecting a broader sentiment of dissatisfaction. A significant point of contention is the allocation of major corporation and board positions to leaders who lost elections, perceived by some as a reward despite electoral failure rather than a merit-based selection.

Controversy Surrounding Gauri Shankar Shrivas

A notable incident amplifying this unrest is Gauri Shankar Shrivas’s public rejection of his appointment as Vice-Chairman of the Chhattisgarh State Kesh Shilpi Kalyan Board. In a social media post, Shrivas sarcastically remarked that the responsibility was too heavy for his shoulders, choosing instead to remain a grassroots worker. This move has sparked debate within the party, with several disgruntled workers and leaders rallying in his support, further highlighting internal tensions.

Preference for Active Party Workers

BJP sources indicate that the appointments prioritized leaders who demonstrated active involvement in organizational programs. This includes participation in membership drives, agitations against the previous Congress government, and contributions to victories in local body elections. Leaders such as Sanjay Srivastava, Srinivas Rao Maddi, and Amarjeet Singh Chhabra earned their positions due to strong performances in these areas. Additionally, some leaders disappointed over not receiving tickets in local or assembly elections have been accommodated, such as Nande Sahu and Saurabh Singh.

Cabinet Expansion Speculation

Following the release of the corporation and board list, attention has shifted to potential changes in the state cabinet. Reports suggest that after Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Dantewada on April 5, 2025, two new ministers may be sworn in, filling the currently vacant ministerial posts. Discussions at various levels—from state leadership to Delhi—have reportedly finalized potential names, with an announcement pending. Speculated candidates include senior leaders Amar Agarwal, Ajay Chandrakar, and Rajesh Munat. This development is seen as a strategic move to address internal dissent and strengthen the government ahead of future elections.

Strategic Reappointments and Regional Balance

The inclusion of figures like Ram Sewak Paikra and Rampratap Singh, who had been largely absent from active politics, is interpreted as an effort to maintain power balance in the tribal-dominated Surguja region. Similarly, the appointment of Rakesh Pandey, brother of influential leader Saroj Pandey, underscores the role of political lineage in these decisions. The return of such leaders has surprised many, adding an element of unpredictability to the appointments.

Future Organizational Changes

Post the assembly and municipal corporation elections, the BJP is expected to reorganize its state unit. Leaders appointed to corporations and boards have been groomed over the past five months as in-charges of various programs, indicating a preparatory phase for a broader reshuffle within the party structure.

The Chhattisgarh state government’s recent appointments to corporations and boards, coupled with the prospect of a cabinet expansion, reflect a complex balancing act within the BJP. While the party has rewarded organizational loyalty and accommodated electoral losers, it has also stirred discontent among workers and leaders who feel overlooked. The rejection by Gauri Shankar Shrivas and the subsequent support he received underscore the underlying tensions. As the state awaits cabinet announcements and potential organizational changes, the BJP faces the challenge of unifying its ranks to maintain its political dominance in Chhattisgarh.