In the wake of his recent ascent to power, Vishnu Deo Sai, Chhattisgarh’s fourth chief minister and a trailblazer as the first from the tribal community to don this esteemed mantle, found himself ensconced in a vast colonial-era bungalow nestled within the serene confines of Raipur’s Civil Lines. Just two days into his new abode, the fledgling CM was thrust into a whirlwind of obligations.
On the evening of March 9, the air was thick with anticipation as Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh graced the city for a political event that, much to everyone’s surprise, stretched beyond its intended timeline. Meanwhile, the chief minister’s agenda included a visit to an ashram in the nearby Sonpairi village—an endeavor he had committed to, with an anticipated return by 8:30 PM.
Yet, fate had other plans. As the day dragged on and time slipped through his fingers, Vishnu Deo confided in his aides about the distinct possibility he might miss the visit altogether. However, the resolute insistence of the ashram head coaxed him into acquiescence. Thus, at the stroke of 9 PM, he set out, albeit with a sense of urgency and the creeping realization that the hours were slipping away.
The evening unfolded unpredictably, and the chief minister didn’t find himself back at the CM House until well after the clock had ticked past 11 PM, a stark reminder of the relentless pace of political life, where commitments often collide with the unexpected.
