Arun Sao is an Indian politician who is serving as the Deputy Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, along with Vijay Sharma, in the ministry of Vishnu Deo Sai. He is the member of the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly from Lormi Assembly constituency (2023). He is also the former president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Chhattisgarh and has previously served as the Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha from Bilaspur constituency.
Early Life and Education
Arun Sao was born on 25 November 1968 in Chhattisgarh. His father, Abhay Ram Sao, was a school teacher and a volunteer of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He completed his schooling from various government schools in his village. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in commerce from Govt SNG College, Mungeli and a bachelor’s degree in law from Kaushalendra Rao Law College, Bilaspur. He also holds a postgraduate diploma in computer application, a diploma course in English, and a master’s degree in computer applications from Madhya Pradesh Bhoj Open University, Bhopal.
Legal Career
Arun Sao started his career as a lawyer and practiced in the Chhattisgarh High Court. He worked as a panel lawyer for the Chhattisgarh government from 2004 to 2013 and as the deputy advocate general of the Chhattisgarh High Court from 2013 to 2018.
Sao established himself as a lawyer starting in 2001, practicing in the High Court. He also served in prestigious legal positions including:
- Panel lawyer for the Chhattisgarh government (2004)
- Panel lawyer for the Madhya Pradesh government (2005-2013)
- Deputy Advocate General of Chhattisgarh High Court (2013-2018)
Political Career
Arun Sao joined the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the RSS, in 1990. He later joined the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), the youth wing of the BJP, in 1996 and became the general secretary of the BJYM in Chhattisgarh. He also became the state president of the BJYM in 2000.
In the 2019 Indian general election, Arun Sao contested from the Bilaspur Lok Sabha constituency and defeated Lakhan Lal Sahu of the Indian National Congress by a margin of 3,76,524 votes. He became the Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha from Bilaspur.
In August 2022, Arun Sao became the president of the BJP in Chhattisgarh, succeeding Vishnu Deo Sai, who became the chief ministerial candidate of the party.
In the 2023 Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly election, Arun Sao contested from the Lormi Assembly constituency and defeated Ram Pukar Singh Thakur of the Congress by a margin of 64,443 votes. He became the Member of the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly from Lormi.
On 13 December 2023, Arun Sao was sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, along with Vijay Sharma, in the ministry of Vishnu Deo Sai, who became the Chief Minister after the BJP won the majority in the assembly. Arun Sao also holds the portfolios of revenue and disaster management, public works department, urban administration and development, and water resources department in the government of Chhattisgarh.
Political Journey
Sao’s political career began with the BJP. He rose through the ranks, eventually becoming the President of the party’s Chhattisgarh unit. His electoral debut came in the 2019 Indian general election, where he successfully contested the Bilaspur constituency and secured a seat in the 17th Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian Parliament.
Shifting Gears to State Politics
In 2023, Sao decided to shift his focus to state politics. He contested the Lormi Vidhan Sabha seat in the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly elections and emerged victorious. Following the BJP’s win in the elections, Sao was appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh in December 2023.
Key Roles and Responsibilities
As Deputy Chief Minister, Sao plays a crucial role in assisting the Chief Minister and overseeing various government functions. He also holds specific portfolios assigned by the Chief Minister. Currently, he serves as the Chairman of the Consultative Committee, Ministry of Coal and Mines.
Beyond Politics
While information about Sao’s personal life is limited, he is known for his dedication to public service and commitment to the development of Chhattisgarh. He actively engages with the public and strives to address their concerns.
Controversies
Arun Sao has faced some controversies in his political career. In 2018, he was accused of violating the model code of conduct during the assembly election by using loudspeakers without permission, distributing money and liquor to the voters, and threatening the election officials. He was booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
Personal Life
Arun Sao is married to Meena Sao, who is a homemaker. They have a son, Amish Sao, who is studying in school. Arun Sao follows Hinduism and belongs to the Sahu caste. He lives in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh, with his family.
Net Worth and Assets
According to his affidavit filed in 2023, Arun Sao has a net worth of Rs. 1.65 crore, which includes movable assets worth Rs. 1.05 crore and immovable assets worth Rs. 60 lakh. His movable assets include cash, bank deposits, jewellery, vehicles, insurance policies, and shares. His immovable assets include agricultural land, residential buildings, and commercial shops.
Facts and Trivia
- Arun Sao is fond of reading books, especially on history and politics. He also likes to watch movies and listen to music in his spare time.
- Arun Sao is active on social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. He has more than 1 lakh followers on Twitter and more than 2 lakh followers on Facebook. He uses these platforms to interact with his supporters and share his views on various issues.
- Arun Sao is considered as one of the rising stars of the BJP in Chhattisgarh. He is known for his organizational skills, grassroots connect, and dynamic leadership. He is also seen as a close aide of the former Chief Minister and BJP leader Raman Singh, who is now the Speaker of the Chhattisgarh Assembly.
References
1: Arun Sao – Wikipedia 2: Arun Sao Age, Caste, Wife, Family, Biography & More » StarsUnfolded 3: Chhattisgarh to get 2 deputy Chief Ministers, ex-Chief Minister Raman Singh to be Speaker
