Chhattisgarh’s Midnight Birth: Untold Stories from the First Night of Statehood
Raipur
On the night of November 1, 2000, as midnight approached, Chhattisgarh was about to emerge as the newest state on the map of India. Twenty-five years have gone by, but for many, the memories remain as vivid as ever. The formal announcement, the oath-taking, and the political drama of the night composed a chapter in India’s history filled with untold stories and decisive moments.
The Build-Up: A State Years in the Making
The roots of Chhattisgarh’s statehood stretch back decades, but it was in the late 20th century that the demand for separation found real momentum. The drive drew from the region’s distinctive tribal identity, economic aspirations, and the desire for representation.
By the late 1990s, with both the Indian National Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party on board, all-party platforms rallied for this cause. Mass rallies and silent determination led Parliament to pass the Madhya Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2000, culminating in the formation of Chhattisgarh at midnight on November 1
.
D-Day: The Night Chhattisgarh Was Born
At Raipur Police Ground, excitement filled the air as prominent leaders gathered for the historic transition. The spotlight was on Ajit Jogi, who would soon be named the state’s first Chief Minister. Earlier, in Delhi, Congress president Sonia Gandhi had decisively chosen him for the role.
In a private conversation, reportedly summarized with two words—“Get Ready”—she sealed his fate. For Jogi, a recent electoral defeat would now pave the way to becoming the first Chief Minister, something even he had not foreseen months before.
The Oath Ceremony and Its Hidden Moments
The oath ceremony was remarkable not just for its scale but for the human moments it contained. Governor Dinesh Nandan Sahay administered the oath, solidifying Jogi’s position in history.
Among the onlookers was Renu Jogi, Ajit’s wife, whose entry had been delayed due to security concerns—she lacked an official pass. Eventually, she was ushered inside by MLA Geeta Devi Singh and watched, pride and emotion in her eyes, as her husband assumed office.
The presence of the crowd, the applause, and the flashing cameras all signaled a shift—not just the start of a new administrative unit, but the realization of a long-sought dream for millions.
The Political Chess Game
The contest to decide Chhattisgarh’s first Chief Minister played out in the corridors of Delhi, where the state’s leaders converged. While the Shukla dynasty, especially V. C. Shukla, appeared to be leading contenders, others like Satyanarayan Sharma, Mahendra Karma, and Arvind Netam were also lobbying hard.
Jogi’s supporters worked tirelessly—some stationed at party offices, others lobbying across key venues. The political landscape was abuzz with intrigue and subtle maneuvering.
The tribal voice was strong: with the new state’s significant tribal population, many MLAs and activists argued passionately for a tribal CM. A campaign, famously named the “Adivasi Express”, traveled from Bastar to Raipur, its message clear—the new state should honor its indigenous roots with a tribal leader at the helm.
Ultimately, when Sonia Gandhi dispatched senior leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Prabha Rau to finalize the decision in Raipur, most MLAs agreed to back Jogi. Mahendra Karma, an imposing rival, was persuaded by Jogi’s promise of respect and inclusion.
Dissent and Drama at the Margins
As Jogi’s victory became apparent, V. C. Shukla, who was initially a strong contender, struggled to accept the outcome. Gathering his supporters, he attempted to turn the tide with the help of the opposition BJP, but to no avail.
A dramatic confrontation unfolded at his farmhouse, where an altercation resulted in Digvijay Singh’s kurta being torn in the chaos. The clash underscored how passionately leaders felt about Chhattisgarh’s future.
The Midnight Oath
With the logistics sorted out by Union Minister Nitish Kumar, the midnight swearing-in was timed to perfection so Chhattisgarh’s birth would be officially noted at the first possible moment.
Dinesh Nandan Sahay was chosen as Governor to guarantee constitutional order from the outset. Ajit Jogi’s oath captured a sense of historic achievement—a moment Digvijay Singh, longtime mentor and ally, said he had predicted years earlier when Jogi left the IAS in 1986.
Jogi requested to take the oath in Chhattisgarhi, paying tribute to the region’s heritage, but was declined on constitutional grounds. Still, his words promised to serve as the “first servant” and to follow the path of “satya” (truth).
Although the phrase sparked controversy and a High Court case—critics alleged favoritism towards the Satnami community—the court ultimately found no issue.
Personal Stories Intersect with History
Renu Jogi’s struggle for entry was emblematic of how personal and public histories intersected that night. She and her son Amit squeezed into a cramped Maruti 800 with supporters, determined to bear witness. After overcoming the hurdle at the gate, she watched from a distance as the new state’s destiny was set.
From Crisis to Opportunity
Chhattisgarh’s infancy was marked by immediate challenges: famine, drought, and an empty treasury. Within days, Ajit Jogi convened a late-night meeting to launch relief work.
Unable to fund initiatives from state reserves, he moved quickly to sell surplus electricity, a decision made over the objections of his advisors. The formation of the Chhattisgarh State Electricity Board followed, and electricity sales rapidly generated much-needed revenue—setting the precedent for economic problem-solving led by local governance.
The State’s Place in History
The formation of Chhattisgarh was more than a bureaucratic event; it was a convergence of aspiration, identity, and realpolitik. On that first historic night, amid jubilation and struggle, the state took its place as the 26th member of the Indian Union.
The stories—both public and private—from that night continue to inspire, showing what is possible when dreams, determination, and decisive leadership come together.
