With Raigarh MP, Vishnudev Sai finding a Union Cabinet berth as Minister of State for Mines and Steel, the race for State BJP chief’s post has been hotting up with several MlAs and MPs vying for the coveted post.
While MP from Kanker seat, Vikram Usendi is considered as a strong contender for this post, the party is also contemplating on the name of PWD minister Rajesh Munat, party sources here informed.
Munat is believed to be close aide of the Chief Minister Raman Singh and has experience of handling the post of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) State President earlier.
Sources claimed that this time, the party is contemplating to fill the vacant post from a candidate of General Category as Chief Minister Raman Singh was the last and only candidate from this category to become the party’s State Chief in 2002.
Meanwhile, former Union minister and seven times MP, Ramesh Bais and former BJP State President, Dharamlal Kaushik have also made their claims for the vacant post of the party’s State Chief.
The claims of senior leaders on the post of party’s State President have made the selection process very interesting as it will also give tough time to the selectors in arriving at a consensus candidate. The name of party’s new State Chief is expected to be announced within a fortnight, sources stated.