Politics
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Dhaldas joins Congress from 13% Satnami community in state
The Hindu··13 Sept
Guru Dhaldas Saheb, elder brother of Chhattisgarh BJP minister Guru Khushwant Saheb, joined the Congress on September 11, 2026 at Bhupesh Baghel's residence. Satnamis comprise about 13 percent of Chhattisgarh's population. Khushwant and their father joined the BJP in 2023 and won Arang. Dhaldas said he may contest the 2028 polls if offered a ticket, preferring Mungeli.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Satnami voters in central Chhattisgarh may see competing outreach from siblings in rival parties before 2028.
- Local council work in Arang could shift if family alliances split along party lines.
- Reserved seat aspirants may watch whether Mungeli opens if Dhaldas receives a Congress ticket.
What's Happening
- Baghel posted on X that the beginning has been made to remove the BJP.
- State Congress president Deepak Baij called Dhaldas' entry a trailer and said more BJP leaders may follow.
- Dhaldas said the BJP was not acting on Guru Ghasidas principles and discussed the switch with family.
Satnami politics in Chhattisgarh
- The Satnami movement traces to nineteenth century reformer Guru Ghasidas.
- Community leaders often broker bloc votes in reserved and general seats across the state's plains districts.
- Khushwant Saheb won Arang on a BJP ticket after leaving Congress in 2023.
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