The BJP on Sunday picked 59-year-old Vishnu Deo Sai, its former state unit chief, as the next Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh. It was an appointment foretold. It was November 9, two days after 20 seats in Chhattisgarh had already gone to the polls in the first phase of a crucial two-phase election. Union Home Minister Amit Shah found himself in the tribal town of Kunkuri in the deeply forested district of Jashpur, in the north of the state. He spoke of the BJP’s expectations in the first phase and said that they were already on their way to victory. Then, in minute 13 of his 15-minute speech, Shah began talking about the local Kunkuri candidate. “Mothers, brothers, and sisters, Vishnu Dev ji is an experienced worker. He is a leader, he is a parliamentarian, he is a legislator, he has been party president. The BJP has brought in front of you an experienced leader. Make him an MLA, and we will do the work of making him a big man,” Shah said. The partisan crowd in front of him roared. One month and three days later, 59-year-old Vishnu Deo Sai was announced as the new Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh.