Satnami leader, Chhattisgarh BJP minister’s brother joins Congress

Dhaldas Saheb, the elder sibling of current BJP minister Guru Khushwant Saheb, formally entered the Indian National Congress on Friday, with former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel welcoming him at the ceremony. The move is being framed as part of the party’s strategy to strengthen its position ahead of the 2028 Chhattisgarh assembly elections, and Dhaldas indicated his willingness to contest the poll if nominated.

The Satnami community, which accounts for more than 10% of Chhattisgarh’s population and is the state’s largest Scheduled Caste group, now sees a senior family member aligning with the opposition. The state’s 14‑member cabinet includes only two SC ministers – Khushwant and Dayaldas Baghel. Dhaldas’ sister previously served as chairperson of the Tilda‑Nevra municipality, while his brother Guru Sourabh Saheb heads the Raipur Zilla Panchayat. A cousin, former MLA Guru Rudra Kumar, held a ministerial portfolio in 2018 but lost his seat in the 2023 elections.

Khushwant Saheb, who originally belonged to the Congress, switched to the BJP after being denied a ticket for the 2023 Assembly race, subsequently winning the Arang seat and becoming a minister. Dhaldas’ decision reflects the family’s historical involvement in politics dating back to the pre‑Independence era, and his alignment with the Congress could bolster the party’s appeal among Satnami voters, potentially reshaping the electoral dynamics for the 2028 contest.