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Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly
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The Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly or the Chhattisgarh Vidhan Sabha is the unicameral state legislature of Chhattisgarh state in India.
Key Information
The seat of the Vidhan Sabha is at Sector 19, Atal Nagar, the capital of the state. The Vidhan Sabha comprises 90 Members of Legislative Assembly, which include 90 members directly elected from single-seat constituencies.[1] Its term is 5 years, unless sooner dissolved.
History
[edit]The state of Chhattisgarh was created by the Madhya Pradesh Reorganization Act 2000,[2] approved by the President of India on 25 August 2000. The Chhattisgarh Vidhan Sabha came into existence with the creation of the state on 1 November 2000. The first session of the Chhattisgarh Vidhan Sabha was held at Jashpur hall of Rajkumar College in Raipur. Later, the Vidhan Sabha was shifted to the newly constructed Chhattisgarh Vidhan Sabha Bhavan at Vidhan Nagar, on Raipur–Baloda Bazar Road.[1]
A new building for Vidhan Sabha is under construction at Sector 19, Atal Nagar behind Indravati Bhawan & Mahanadi Bhawan. The groundbreaking ceremony was done by Bhupesh Baghel on 29 August 2020 in the presence of leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and other ministers. The construction is currently halted for 2021 and all tenders are cancelled by the Government of Chhattisgarh due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Chhattisgarh. Later from 2022, construction work resumed.[3][4]
On 1 November 2025, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the formation of Chhattisgarh, the new building of the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly in Sector 19, Nava Raipur (Atal Nagar) was formally inaugurated by Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India.[5] The inauguration ceremony was attended by several leaders, including Om Birla, Ramen Deka, Vishnu Deo Sai, Raman Singh, Brijmohan Agrawal, Charandas Mahant, along with all Members of the Legislative Assembly of Chhattisgarh. The new complex — built at a cost of approximately ₹324 crore and spread over 51 acres — features a modern, eco-friendly design with provisions for solar energy and rainwater harvesting, reflecting a blend of contemporary infrastructure and regional cultural aesthetics.[6]
Leaders
[edit]| Title | Name | Portrait | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Governor | Ramen Deka | .jpg)
|
31 July 2024 |
| Speaker | Dr. Raman Singh | 
|
19 December 2023 |
| Leader of the House (Chief Minister) |
Vishnu Deo Sai | 
|
13 December 2023 |
| Deputy Chief Minister | Arun Sao | 
| |
| Vijay Sharma | 
| ||
| Leader of Opposition | Charan Das Mahant | 
|
16 December 2023 |
List of Assemblies
[edit]Members of Legislative Assembly
[edit]Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly". Legislative Bodies in India website. Retrieved 9 December 2010.
- ^ "Madhya Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000". India Code.
- ^ "छत्तीसगढ़ में 270 करोड़ में बनेगा नया विधानसभा भवन भूमि पूजन आज". Nai Dunia (in Hindi). 29 August 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
- ^ PTI (13 May 2021). "Chhattisgarh cancels tenders for new assembly building, halts construction of major projects". ThePrint. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
- ^ "PM Modi inaugurates Chhattisgarh's new assembly complex at Nava Raipur". Economic Times (by PTI). 1 November 2025. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
- ^ "What is the new Assembly complex that PM Modi will inaugurate in Chhattisgarh today?". The Indian Express. 1 November 2025. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
- ^ "The Madhya Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2000" (PDF). 2000. p. 6. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 July 2019. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
- ^ "Chhattisgarh BJP appoints new Leader of Opposition". The Hindu. 17 August 2022. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
- ^ "Chhattisgarh Assembly Election Result 2023: Full list of winners and losers constituency wise from BJP, Congress and other parties". Zee Business. 4 December 2023.
Further reading
[edit]- "Sarguja royal elected leader of Opposition in Chhattisgarh". The Statesman. 3 January 2014. Archived from the original on 6 March 2014.
External links
[edit]- Chhattisgarh Lok Sabha Election 2019 Results Website
- Chhattisgarh Vidhan Sabha website
- Chhattisgarh assembly elections 2013 details
| International | |
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| National | |
Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly
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Establishment and Legal Framework
Formation of the State and Assembly
Chhattisgarh was formed as the 26th state of India on 1 November 2000, bifurcated from the northern and eastern regions of Madhya Pradesh under the provisions of the Madhya Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000, enacted by the Parliament on 25 August 2000.[3][4] The act delineated the territorial boundaries, allocated assets and liabilities, and established administrative structures, including the creation of a unicameral legislature to govern the new state. This separation addressed long-standing regional demands for autonomy, driven by distinct cultural, linguistic, and economic characteristics, particularly the predominance of tribal communities in the area.[5] The Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly, known as Vidhan Sabha, was constituted immediately upon statehood, comprising sitting members of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly who represented constituencies falling within Chhattisgarh's territory, as stipulated by Section 16 of the Reorganisation Act.[3] The assembly is unicameral with 90 seats, of which 10 are reserved for Scheduled Castes and 29 for Scheduled Tribes, proportions aligned with the demographic realities where tribal populations constitute approximately 32% of the state's residents.[6] These reservations ensure representation for historically marginalized groups in line with Article 332 of the Indian Constitution.[7] The inaugural organizational steps included the election of Rajendra Prasad Shukla as the first Speaker on 14 December 2000, marking the assembly's formal commencement of proceedings.[8] This transitional body operated until the first direct general elections in November 2003, which elected a full complement of members under the newly delimited constituencies.[9]Constitutional Powers and Functions
The Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly operates as a unicameral body under Article 168 of the Indian Constitution, comprising the Governor and the Vidhan Sabha, without a Legislative Council.[10] It exercises legislative authority primarily over subjects enumerated in List II (State List) of the Seventh Schedule, which includes 59 items such as public order, police, agriculture, forests, fisheries, irrigation, land revenue, public health, sanitation, hospitals, local government, and intoxicating liquors.[11] This authority extends to making laws for the state or any part thereof, subject to the Constitution's provisions, while excluding Union List matters like defense, foreign affairs, and atomic energy reserved for Parliament.[12] On Concurrent List subjects, such as education and forests, the assembly may legislate provided its laws do not conflict with existing or future central laws.[13] In its oversight role, the assembly scrutinizes the executive by approving the annual state budget presented under Article 202, which details estimated receipts and expenditures, and by passing appropriation bills to authorize fund withdrawals from the consolidated fund.[14] It holds the Council of Ministers collectively responsible, enabling members to move a no-confidence motion against the Chief Minister and cabinet; passage of such a motion requires the ministers' resignation, potentially leading to government formation by an alternative majority or dissolution.[15] The assembly may also ratify certain parliamentary bills or constitutional amendments affecting state powers, ensuring state interests in federal matters. These powers are constrained by the Governor's role under Article 200, which mandates assent to bills passed by the assembly; the Governor may assent, withhold assent, return the bill for reconsideration (except money bills), or reserve it for the President's consideration, particularly if it endangers high court powers or contradicts central laws.[16] Withheld assent can prevent a bill from becoming law, though recent Supreme Court rulings emphasize timely action to avoid indefinite delays.[17] Further, under Article 356, the President may impose President's Rule if satisfied that constitutional machinery has failed, suspending the assembly and vesting its functions in the Governor or Parliament; however, this provision has not been invoked in Chhattisgarh since the state's formation in 2000.[18]Composition and Electoral System
Seat Allocation and Constituencies
The Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly comprises 90 seats, each representing a single-member constituency elected by adult suffrage under the first-past-the-post system.[19] [20] Of these, 10 seats are reserved for candidates from Scheduled Castes and 29 for Scheduled Tribes, allocations determined by the proportion of these populations in the state as recorded in the 2001 Census and incorporated into the delimitation framework to ensure proportional demographic representation.[19] [21] [22] This high number of ST-reserved seats underscores Chhattisgarh's tribal demographics, with over 30% of the population classified as Scheduled Tribes, concentrated in southern and northern districts.[20] The current configuration of constituencies stems from the Delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies Order, 2008, which redrew boundaries based on the 2001 Census data while adhering to constitutional norms for contiguity, population equality, and reservation quotas.[23] [24] This exercise increased the assembly's size from 40 seats (as inherited from undivided Madhya Pradesh) to 90 upon state formation in 2000, with further adjustments to reflect urban growth in areas like Raipur and rural-tribal densities elsewhere.[23] In Maoist-affected regions such as Bastar division, which encompasses multiple ST-reserved constituencies like Bijapur, Dantewada, and Kanker, the delimitation accounted for remote terrains and security challenges, necessitating specialized polling infrastructure including air-dropped ballot boxes and fortified stations.[25] [26] Female representation in the assembly has historically been limited, averaging 10-12% of seats in the first few terms following statehood, with only 10 women elected in the 2013 assembly out of 90.[27] This pattern reflects broader trends in Indian state legislatures, where cultural and structural barriers have constrained women's candidacy and success despite no formal gender quotas in general seats.[28] Independent candidates have occasionally secured seats but remain marginal, typically comprising fewer than 5% of the assembly, as party-affiliated contenders dominate due to the state's bipolar political landscape.[29]Election Procedures and Voter Participation
The elections to the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly are overseen by the Election Commission of India (ECI), which supervises the entire process through the state's Chief Electoral Officer, ensuring compliance with the Representation of the People Act, 1951.[30] The Assembly's term lasts five years from the date of its first meeting, unless dissolved earlier by the Governor on the advice of the Council of Ministers.[31] Voting occurs via universal adult suffrage, granting one vote to every Indian citizen aged 18 or older enrolled in the electoral rolls of the 90 single-member constituencies, determined by first-past-the-post system.[32] Polling in Chhattisgarh is frequently staggered across multiple phases to address logistical difficulties posed by the state's rugged terrain, vast forested regions, and persistent Naxalite insurgency in areas like Bastar, which necessitate sequential security arrangements and transportation of polling materials.[33] [34] Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are deployed statewide for efficient and verifiable vote recording, with strongroom storage and sealing protocols post-polling to maintain integrity.[35] Security measures include massive deployments of central armed police forces alongside state police, often exceeding 50,000 personnel per phase in sensitive zones, to counter threats from Maoist groups that have historically targeted polling stations and personnel.[36] [37] Voter turnout in Chhattisgarh's assembly elections has consistently been robust, typically ranging from 70% to 80%, reflecting strong civic engagement despite security challenges in remote and conflict-prone districts.[38] [39] Casual vacancies arising from death, resignation, or disqualification trigger by-elections under ECI notification, adhering to timelines mandated by Article 174 of the Constitution.[40] The Tenth Schedule's anti-defection provisions apply uniformly, disqualifying members of the Legislative Assembly who voluntarily relinquish their party membership or vote contrary to party directives in key proceedings, thereby curbing opportunistic shifts and preserving mandate stability.[41]Historical Assemblies and Elections
Pre-2023 Election Outcomes
The first election to the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly was held on 7 November 2000, shortly after the state's creation on 1 November 2000 from Madhya Pradesh. The Indian National Congress secured a majority with 62 seats out of 90, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 32 seats. Independents and smaller parties took the remaining six seats, enabling Congress leader Ajit Jogi to become the state's inaugural Chief Minister, heading a single-party majority government until its defeat in the subsequent election. In the 2003 assembly elections, conducted in two phases on 1 December and 5 December, the BJP achieved a clear majority with 50 seats, reversing Congress's initial dominance. Congress won 37 seats, with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) securing 2 and independents 1. This outcome led to the formation of a BJP government under Chief Minister Raman Singh on 8 December 2003, initiating a period of sustained BJP rule focused on industrial incentives and infrastructure development to capitalize on the state's mineral resources.[42][43] The BJP retained its majority in the 2008 elections held on 28 November, again winning 50 seats against Congress's 38, with minor parties and independents accounting for the rest. Voter turnout was approximately 70.6%, reflecting stable participation amid debates over anti-Naxal measures and economic policies. Raman Singh continued as Chief Minister, with the government's emphasis on power sector reforms and agricultural subsidies contributing to electoral continuity despite opposition claims of uneven rural development.[44] The 2013 polls, conducted on 25 November, saw BJP secure 49 seats—short of an absolute majority but sufficient to form the government with nominal external support from independents—while Congress obtained 35 seats and others 6. Turnout exceeded 78%, driven by tribal and rural mobilization. The BJP's re-election was linked to sustained growth in per capita income and steel industry expansion, though critics highlighted persistent Naxalite disruptions in assembly proceedings.[45] Congress decisively ended BJP's 15-year incumbency in the 2018 elections, held in two phases on 12 November and 20 November, capturing 68 seats to BJP's 15, with independents and smaller parties winning 7. This shift stemmed from anti-incumbency fatigue, allegations of cronyism in mining contracts, and Congress's campaign pledges for farm loan waivers up to ₹250,000 and doubled farmer incomes, resonating in agrarian belts. The ensuing Congress government under Bhupesh Baghel prioritized welfare redistribution over prior industrial priorities.[46][47] Across these terms, assembly productivity varied, with PRS Legislative Research noting that pre-2018 sessions often featured abbreviated debates and rapid bill passages—such as multiple enactments in single sittings—potentially limiting empirical scrutiny of policies like land acquisition reforms, though sitting days averaged below national benchmarks during BJP's tenure.[48]2023 Election and Current Assembly
The 2023 Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly election was conducted in two phases on November 7 and November 17, to elect members for all 90 constituencies.[49] Voter turnout reached approximately 78% in the first phase across 20 constituencies, with overall participation reflecting strong engagement despite security challenges in Naxal-affected areas.[50][51] The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a majority with 54 seats, while the Indian National Congress (INC) won 35 seats and the Gondwana Gantantra Party (GGP) obtained 1 seat, marking a reversal from the 2018 results where Congress had held power.[1][52] This outcome was attributed to voter dissatisfaction with Congress governance, including alleged corruption scandals such as the liquor policy irregularities and persistent Naxal violence, contrasted with BJP's campaign emphasizing anti-corruption measures and enhanced security against left-wing extremism.[53] Following the results declared on December 3-4, Vishnu Deo Sai, a tribal leader from the BJP, was sworn in as Chief Minister on December 13, 2023, along with deputy chief ministers Arun Sao and Vijay Sharma, forming the new executive.[54][55] The sixth legislative assembly, convened shortly thereafter, features a composition with BJP holding dominant positions, particularly in tribal-dominated constituencies where the party expanded its influence from previous terms.[29] Over 40% of the MLAs are first-term legislators, indicating significant renewal in representation and potential for fresh policy approaches.[56] Initial sessions of the assembly prioritized law-and-order legislation, including bills aimed at strengthening anti-Naxal operations and police reforms, reflecting the electorate's mandate for addressing security failures under prior administration.[57] Post-election claims by Congress leaders questioning electronic voting machine (EVM) integrity, such as assertions of potential hacking, were countered by Election Commission audits verifying the process's reliability, with no evidence of widespread irregularities emerging from official scrutiny.[58][59] This shift underscores causal factors like governance lapses in economic delivery and internal security, contributing to the rejection of the incumbent Congress regime in favor of BJP's promises of accountability and stability.[53]Leadership and Governance
Speakers and Presiding Officers
The Speaker of the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly is elected by the members of the house from among their ranks at the first meeting following a general election, as mandated by Article 93 of the Constitution of India, adapted for state legislatures. The Speaker presides over sessions, enforces rules of procedure, and ensures orderly conduct, with a constitutional duty to act impartially while certifying money bills and overseeing quorum requirements. In Chhattisgarh, this role has been tested by frequent disruptions, including opposition protests and debates on security issues, where Speakers have invoked powers to suspend members or adjourn proceedings to restore order.[60] Dr. Raman Singh, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator and former Chief Minister, was unanimously elected Speaker on December 19, 2023, for the fifth assembly, securing the position without contest after the BJP's victory in the 2023 elections. Previous Speakers include Rajendra Prasad Shukla (2000–2003), who presided over the inaugural assembly post-state formation; Prem Prakash Pandey (2003–2009), during periods of BJP governance; Dharamlal Kaushik (2009–2014); and Gaurishankar Agrawal (2014–2018). These officeholders, typically from the ruling party, have faced scrutiny over perceived partisanship, particularly in Congress-led assemblies where decisions on adjournments or disqualifications aligned with government interests, though such claims often stem from opposition critiques lacking independent verification.[61][62] Speakers in Chhattisgarh have frequently managed procedural disputes arising from heated exchanges, such as the February 28, 2025, incident where Speaker Singh suspended several Congress MLAs for disrupting proceedings over allegations of surveillance on opposition leaders, leading to a boycott by the Congress party. Similarly, in February 2024, Singh disallowed a Congress demand for discussion on law and order, prompting sloganeering and adjournments. On Naxalism-related matters, assemblies under various Speakers have witnessed uproar, including a 2009 monsoon session adjournment amid opposition demands for debate on a Naxal attack that killed 29 people. Such instances highlight the Speaker's mandate to maintain neutrality amid regional volatility, though mainstream reports, potentially influenced by institutional biases, emphasize opposition grievances without equivalent scrutiny of ruling party conduct.[63][64][65] The Deputy Speaker, elected similarly to assist in the Speaker's absence and preside over sessions, has seen limited or intermittent tenures in Chhattisgarh, with the position vacant as of 2025 following the tenure of Manoj Singh Mandavi (2019–2023) under the previous Congress government. Data on session adjournments due to quorum failures—requiring at least one-tenth of total members present—remains sparse, but procedural logs indicate occasional invocations during opposition walkouts, underscoring the Deputy's role in continuity amid such challenges. Historical deputies, including Banwari Lal Agrawal and Dharmjeet Singh Thakur, have served brief terms, often overshadowed by the Speaker's prominence in dispute resolution.[66]| Assembly Term | Speaker | Party | Tenure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st (2000–2003) | Rajendra Prasad Shukla | BJP | 14 Dec 2000 – 19 Dec 2003 |
| 2nd (2003–2008) | Prem Prakash Pandey | BJP | 22 Dec 2003 – 2008 |
| 3rd (2008–2013) | Dharamlal Kaushik | BJP | 2009 – 2014 |
| 4th (2013–2018) | Gaurishankar Agrawal | BJP | 6 Jan 2014 – 2018 |
| 5th (2023–) | Raman Singh | BJP | 19 Dec 2023 – present |
Chief Ministers and Coalition Dynamics
The Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, as the head of the state government, is appointed by the Governor and must command the confidence of the Legislative Assembly, typically leading the party or coalition with the largest number of seats. Since the state's formation on November 1, 2000, the position has alternated between the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with the BJP holding office for a longer cumulative tenure of approximately 17 years compared to the INC's 8 years. Governments have generally formed with clear majorities, reflecting the Assembly's 90-seat composition where 46 seats suffice for a simple majority, minimizing reliance on formal coalitions but occasionally involving support from independents for stability.[67][68]| Chief Minister | Party | Term | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ajit Jogi | INC | 1 November 2000 – 7 December 2003 | First CM; government backed by 74 seats in inaugural election, focused on state-building amid resource extraction debates.[67] |
| Raman Singh | BJP | 7 December 2003 – 11 December 2018 | Longest-serving; three consecutive terms with majorities (50 seats in 2003 and 2008, 49 plus independent support in 2013); emphasized infrastructure and anti-Naxal operations, though criticized for uneven tribal development.[67][69] |
| Bhupesh Baghel | INC | 17 December 2018 – 12 December 2023 | Secured 68 seats; prioritized agrarian reforms and stalled some mining projects in tribal areas like Hasdeo Arand, but faced allegations of cronyism in liquor and sand policies.[67][70] |
| Vishnu Deo Sai | BJP | 13 December 2023 – present | Formed government with 54 seats; restarted select coal projects while advancing anti-Naxal measures, reporting 401 Maoist neutralizations, 1,429 arrests, and 1,355 surrenders by May 2025.[67][71] |