Chhattisgarh BJP Minister Guru Dhaldas Saheb’s brother joined the Congress
Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel welcomed Guru Dhaldas Saheb at a party on September 11, 2026. Credit: X/@bhupeshbaghel
Guru Dhaldas Saheb, a leader from the sizable Satnami community and elder brother of Chhattisgarh minister and BJP leader Guru Khushwant Saheb, has joined the opposition Congress in the state.
The Satnami community, which constitutes about 13% of the population of Chhattisgarh, constitutes the largest group of Scheduled Castes 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 joined the BJP after quitting the Congress ahead of the 2023 State Assembly elections, with the former winning on a BJP ticket from the Arang Assembly constituency.
Mr. Dhaldas joined the opposition party on Friday (September 11, 2026) in the presence of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel at his official residence. “The beginning has been made. Together we will eliminate the BJP,” Mr. Baghel wrote on X.
On Saturday (September 12, 2026), State Congress president Deepak Baij said Mr Dhaldas’s entry was only a teaser and more BJP leaders – whom he once called phuphas (or grumpy uncles, a term used by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to target his critics) – were preparing to join the Congress.
On his reasons for switching, Mr. Dhaldas told reporters that the BJP was not following the principles of Guru Baba Ghasidas. He also added that he had discussed the issue with his family and that there were no political differences between them despite breaking the status.
He has expressed interest in contesting the 2028 parliamentary polls if his new party gives him a chance. “If I don’t contest the elections, how will I serve the people? If the party gives me an opportunity, I will definitely contest,” he said, adding that his preferred seat if contesting would be Mungeli, a reserved caste constituency.
On Arang, a seat currently held by his younger brother in the State Assembly, he said he would fight from there if his brother was not fielded (BJP)
Published – 13 Sep 2026 02:13 IST