Mathur, Mandaviya, Nitin Nabin: Men Behind BJP's Spectacular Comeback In Chhattisgarh

In the ongoing Chhattisgarh Assembly Election results for 2023, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has defied exit poll predictions, surging ahead with 54 seats against Congress, which is leading in 33 seats. Most of the exit polls had predicted a Congress victory in Chhattisgarh.

Some of the men behind this remarkable turnaround include Om Prakash Mathur, a seasoned politician and strategist from the BJP, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and BJP MLA from Bihar Nitin Nabin.

Om Prakash Mathur

Mathur, known for his political acumen and strategic planning, has played a pivotal role in orchestrating the party's campaign in Chhattisgarh.

Born in Rajasthan's Pali district, Mathur started out as an RSS pracharak in 1972 before joining the BJP as a full-time worker.

Beginning in 1990, he served as a general secretary of the Rajasthan BJP for 12 years till 2002.

Between 2002 and 2008, he was the central leader in charge of the BJP in Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.

Mathur, who was state president of BJP in Rajasthan, is considered close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

His experience as a Rajya Sabha member from Rajasthan and his tenure as the National Vice-President of the BJP have equipped him with a deep understanding of the political landscape, which he effectively utilised in Chhattisgarh.

He was appointed as the in-charge of Chhattisgarh by BJP president J P Nadda in July this year.

His experience extends beyond Chhattisgarh, having previously managed responsibilities as party in-charge in key states like Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.

Under Mathur's guidance, the BJP's campaign in Chhattisgarh was able to counter the narratives set by the ruling Congress and highlight the party's achievements and future plans for the state.

Mathur is reportedly often sent by the PM to places where forming a government is most challenging.

While the media projected Congress in the lead, Mathur was confident of the BJP's victory.

On 28 November, he said that BJP is "going to surprise the political pundits" with Chhattisgarh election results.

With the BJP headed for a victory in Chhattisgarh, Mathur on Sunday (3 December) posted on X, "Asambhav kehte the sab, kar diya. (Everyone said it was impossible but it has been done)".

Mansukh Mandaviya

Along with Mathur, Mandaviya played a key role in Chhattisgarh election campaign after he was appointed the co-election in-charge of the state by the BJP central leadership.

In his regular visits to the poll-bound Chhattisgarh, Mandaviya visited various parts of the state and organised multiple meetings with workers. He also launched attacks on Congress government in the state.

Nitin Nabin

BJP co-in-charge in Chhattisgarh, Nitin Nabin, is a four-time MLA from Bihar's Bankipur.

Nitin, along with Mathur and Mandaviya, played a crucial role in formulating the election strategy for BJP in Chhattisgarh.

With trends showing BJP crossed the halfway-mark in Chhattisgarh elections earlier today, Nabin said that BJP will form the government in the state with a clear majority.

"The Congress government did the work of looting the people of the state, and the people have replied to this today," he said.

"The people of Chhattisgarh have realised that the Congress government is corrupt and they have cheated the people," he added.