Chhattisgarh BJP Minister's brother Guru Dhaldas Saheb joins Congress
Guru Dhaldas Saheb, a prominent leader from Chhattisgarh's Satnami community, has defected from the BJP to join the Congress party. His move, which follows his brother and father's previous switch to the BJP, is seen as a strategic shift ahead of future assembly elections.
Why it matters
The defection of a key community leader highlights the volatile nature of caste-based political alliances in Indian state politics and the ongoing competition for influence in Chhattisgarh.
Guru Dhaldas Saheb, a leader from the numerically significant Satnami community and the older brother of Chhattisgarh Minister, and BJP leader Guru Khushwant Saheb, has joined the Opposition Congress in the State.
Comprising around 13% of Chhattisgarh's population, the Satnami community represents the largest Scheduled Castes group in the State. Mr. Dhaldas’ family belongs to the lineage of Baba Guru Ghasidas who founded the Satnam Panth in the 19th century.
Mr. Khushwant Saheb and their father Guru Baldas Saheb had joined the BJP after leaving the Congress in 2023 ahead of the State Assembly elections, with the former winning on a BJP ticket from the Arang Assembly constituency.
Mr. Dhaldas joined the Opposition party in the presence of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel at the latter's official residence on Friday (September 11, 2026). "The beginning has been made. Together, we will remove the BJP,” Mr. Baghel wrote on X .
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in