Raipur, Dec 8 (IANS) Chhattisgarh’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president Vishnudeo Sai, assembly Speaker Premprakash Pandey and four of the 13-member council of ministers lost polls though the party Monday retained power in a 90-member assembly.
Sai lost Pathalgaon seat to Congress candidate and former minister Rampukar Singh while another shocker for the party came in from Kurud seat in Dhamtari district where senior minister Ajay Chandrakar, who held Panchayat portfolio, lost the election.
Food Minister Satyanand Rathia lost from Lailunga seat in Raigarh district while Agriculture Minister Megharam Sahu lost Sakti seat.
BJP’s senior tribal leader and tribal welfare minister Ganeshram Bhagat was humiliated at Sitapur seat by Congress candidate Amarjeet Bhagat.
Speaker Pandey suffered defeat at Bhilai Nagar seat to Congress candidate and former minister Badruddin Qureshi.