In a significant electoral upset, Eshwar Sahu, the father of a youth killed in a mob lynching incident, emerged victorious against the seven-time Congress MLA, Ravindra Choubey in the Saja legislative assembly seat of Chhattisgarh. Sahu, fielded by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), secured a convincing win with a margin of 5196 votes. The BJP’s triumph in Chhattisgarh led to the ousting of the Congress Government, securing 54 seats compared to Congress’s 35.
Eshwar Sahu’s candidacy was propelled by the BJP after his son’s tragic death in a mob lynching, a case the BJP attributed to a Muslim mob. The party criticized the Congress for not taking adequate action against the perpetrators. The BJP’s national IT cell convener, Amit Malviya, highlighted Sahu’s victory, stating, “He won’t get his son back but some closure perhaps.” The election marked a significant setback for the Congress, losing in three major states—Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh while securing victory only in Telangana.
The Chhattisgarh results, along with those from other states, are expected to influence the political landscape leading up to the Lok Sabha Elections in 2024, positioning the BJP with confidence following its substantial success.
