Challenges are emerging for the BJP in Chhattisgarh, one of the three states facing Assembly elections this year. Just as the party was giving shape to its campaign against the present government headed by CM Bhupesh Baghel, the defection of senior leader Nand Kumar Sai has come as a big jolt. The party does not have a noteworthy tribal leader in the state, even as doubts continue over the probable candidate for the next election. Since the central leadership is preoccupied with the Karnataka election, there are indications that former CM Raman Singh could be considered for a responsibility bigger than he has been handling so far. The recent Supreme Court order restoring 58% reservation in the state had been introduced in the first place by the Raman Singh government and had later been stayed by the Chhattisgarh High Court.
