Former Chhattisgarh Home Minister and senior BJP leader Nanki Ram Kanwar has ignited political tension by announcing a sit-in protest outside Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai’s residence, demanding the removal of Korba Collector Ajit Vasant.
Kanwar arrived in Raipur on Friday evening to press his demands, making brief stops en route, but was quickly surrounded by security forces. To prevent escalation, he was placed under house arrest near AIIMS Raipur by nightfall.
The situation turned dramatic when Kanwar attempted to speak to the media, and a brief altercation occurred with a man claiming to be his grandson. Kanwar pushed him aside, stating, “I will not back down. The people must know the truth, and I will raise my voice until there is accountability.” He alleged that despite media reports of an enquiry, no official had contacted him directly and vowed to proceed with his planned dharna on October 4, challenging the administration’s transparency.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai intervened late Friday night, urging restraint and assuring Kanwar that a detailed report from the Bilaspur Commissioner had been requested. However, Kanwar remained defiant and confined near AIIMS Raipur on Saturday morning, while BJP leaders and family members attempted to calm the situation.
The episode highlights rifts within the BJP leadership and tension between party veterans and the state bureaucracy. For the Vishnu Deo Sai government, it is a test of internal coordination and crisis management, while for Kanwar, it represents a show of political relevance and assertiveness.
