News Brief
Nishtha Anushree
Dec 20, 2023, 06:22 PM | Updated 06:22 PM IST
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Following Congress's decisive defeat in the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly elections, Nand Kumar Sai, who left the BJP to join Congress just before elections has resigned from the Grand Old Party.
Notably, Sai did not receive a ticket to contest in the recently held Assembly elections. He has now resigned after the BJP formed the government in the state.
Having spent only seven months in Congress, Nand Kumar Sai submitted his resignation to Congress Pradesh president Deepak Baij on Wednesday (20 December).
Nand Kumar Sai joining Congress was marked with grand event in Raipur on 1 May 2023, in the presence of then Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. After joining Congress, Nand Kumar Sai actively participated in all major programs of the party throughout the election period, collaborating closely with Bhupesh Baghel.
Baghel had appointed Sai as the Chairman of Chhattisgarh State Industrial Development Corporation. However, following Congress's defeat, Sai tendered his resignation. creating speculation about his potential return to the BJP.
In his resignation letter, Sai stated, "Due to certain circumstances some time ago, I joined the Congress party, worked diligently for a few days, and performed my duties faithfully. Considering the situations I am currently facing, I am resigning from the primary membership of the Congress party."
Sai, while in Congress, visited Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai to convey his congratulations. According to ABP sources, discussions have taken place regarding Sai's possible return to the BJP with the permission of the central leadership.
On 30 April, Nand Kumar Sai had resigned from the BJP, distancing himself from all party responsibilities. "I have associated with people like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani. I followed Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The BJP of Advani's era is not the same party now. The circumstances have changed," he said that time.
Nishtha Anushree is Senior Sub-editor at Swarajya. She tweets at @nishthaanushree.