BJP MLA Dipesh Sahu from Bemetara will exchange vows with Taruna Sahu, a young woman from a Below Poverty Line (BPL) family, in a collective marriage ceremony today, May 31, under the state government's Chief Minister Kanya Vivah Yojana.

The wedding has drawn significant attention, not just for the unique setting but also for the political debate it has triggered in Chhattisgarh.

From Classroom to Assembly

Dipesh Sahu, who served as a government school teacher for nearly a decade until 2018, made a successful transition into politics. Born on January 23, 1988, he holds a Master's degree in Political Science. After joining the BJP, he held various organisational posts, including district president of the Backward Class Morcha, before winning the Bemetara seat in the 2024 Assembly elections.

Taruna Sahu, originally from Biroudha village in Dhamdha tehsil of Durg district, has completed her MA. Her father, Devnarayan Sahu, works as a driver, while her mother Malati is a homemaker. The family currently resides in Bemetara.

Simple Traditions Mark the Celebrations

In keeping with local rural traditions, the baraat for the groom will proceed in a traditional bullock cart. Haldi ceremonies for both the bride and groom were performed earlier, with women from the community applying turmeric paste amid customary songs and celebrations.

The couple will be among 21 pairs taking the seven pheras together on a common stage at the mass wedding event organised by the Women and Child Development Department in Bemetara.

MLA Pledges to Donate Scheme Benefits

Dipesh Sahu has stated that he will not keep the financial assistance provided under the Kanya Vivah Yojana for personal use. Instead, he plans to utilise the amount for the education of meritorious girl students. 

"This money will be used for the education of bright girl students," the MLA told reporters, emphasising his commitment to social causes.

Congress Raises Eligibility Questions

The wedding has sparked a political row. State Congress chief Deepak Baij questioned whether a sitting MLA should avail benefits under a scheme meant for poor and needy families. 

Baij asked for clarity on whether the marriage falls within the eligibility criteria of the scheme, which is primarily designed to support economically weaker sections.

In response, Dipesh Sahu clarified that eligibility under the scheme is determined by the bride’s family status. Since Taruna belongs to a BPL family, the registration was done accordingly.

CM Praises the Decision

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has welcomed the development. In a post on X, he described Dipesh Sahu’s decision as a message of simplicity, social harmony, and public participation. He noted that it connects marriage with social values rather than ostentation.

Senior ministers and public representatives are expected to attend the event, with the administration putting in place necessary security and logistical arrangements.

Significance of the Event

The Chief Minister Kanya Vivah Yojana aims to help families from economically weaker backgrounds conduct marriages with dignity. By choosing to marry within this framework, the Bemetara MLA has brought the scheme into the spotlight.

Local residents in Bemetara and surrounding villages have been discussing the unique wedding, particularly the decision to use a bullock cart for the baraat, which reflects a conscious effort to stay connected with grassroots culture.

As the ceremony unfolds today, all eyes remain on how this high-profile yet simple wedding plays out and what it means for the perception of welfare schemes in the state.

Amit Shah Vows BJP Rule in Assam and Bengal to Curb Infiltrators

Union Home Minister targets Congress over alleged failure to check illegal immigration, sharpens attack on Rahul Gandhi amid Assam poll heat

Amit Shah on Infiltrators  

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday asserted that a BJP government in Assam and West Bengal would effectively curb and remove illegal infiltrators, protecting local livelihoods and the state's demographic identity. Addressing a rally in Patharkandi, Sribhumi district of Assam, Shah accused the Congress of sheltering infiltrators in the past and turning parts of the region into a haven for them.

Poll Campaign Enters Final Phase  

With public campaigning for the April 9 Assembly polls in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry scheduled to end later on Tuesday, followed by a 48-hour silence period, Shah's remarks carried added weight. The Election Commission has imposed restrictions under Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, banning rallies, processions, and public meetings from 5 pm Tuesday until polling concludes. Similar curbs apply to other poll-bound states.Sharp Attack on Congress  

Shah directly targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, claiming the party's standards had declined under his leadership. He criticised recent statements by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who had reportedly called BJP-supporting states "illiterate." Shah defended Assam's legacy, citing leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Vikram Sarabhai, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Congress should be ashamed," he said, according to reports from the rally.

The Home Minister claimed that infiltrators had already been identified in Assam and vowed systematic action to weed them out. "We will not let Assam become an infiltrator-dominated region," Shah declared, adding that infiltration would stop completely if BJP-led governments were in power in Assam, West Bengal, and Tripura. He linked the issue to local concerns over jobs, rations, and land.

Parallel Row Involving Himanta Sarma  

The day's developments in Assam were dominated by a separate but intense political row. Assam Police conducted searches at the Delhi residence of Congress leader Pawan Khera on Tuesday morning in connection with an FIR filed by the wife of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Khera had alleged on Sunday that Riniki Bhuyan Sarma held passports of three countries — Egypt, Antigua and Barbuda, and the UAE. He also raised questions over alleged overseas assets.

Sarma dismissed the claims as baseless and politically motivated. He warned of defamation proceedings and suggested the case could extend to Rahul Gandhi, whom he accused of backing Khera. In strong remarks, Sarma said Assam Police could "hunt down" Khera even from "pataal" and referred to historical resistance against "Islamic invasion." Congress leaders, including Ashok Gehlot, hit back, alleging the BJP was misusing police machinery out of panic ahead of the polls. Khera was reportedly not present at his Nizamuddin residence during the search, with some reports indicating he had moved to Hyderabad.

Border Restrictions for Polling  

In a related development, authorities closed movement along parts of the India-Bhutan border in Tamulpur district to ensure free and fair polling on April 9. Only essential travel, medical emergencies, and registered voters in specific constituencies were exempted. Markets like Dadgiri-Hatisar were also shut as a precautionary measure.

Background of Infiltration Debate  

Illegal immigration from Bangladesh has long been a contentious issue in Assam, shaping politics for decades. The BJP has positioned itself as the party that ended fresh infiltration through measures like the National Register of Citizens and peace accords with insurgent groups. Shah highlighted the Centre's efforts, including mainstreaming over 11,000 youth who surrendered arms via agreements with Bodoland and ULFA factions. Critics from the Congress side have accused the BJP of selective enforcement and polarisation.Impact on Assam Voters  

The twin narratives — Shah's focus on national security and the local passport controversy — have intensified campaigning in the final hours. Assam goes to polls in a single phase on April 9 across 126 constituencies, with results expected on May 4. Issues of identity, development, and governance are dominating discourse. Migrant workers returning home ahead of polls signal high voter turnout expectations.

Opposition parties, including Congress and regional outfits like AJP, have raised concerns over alleged misuse of agencies and demanded a level playing field. BJP leaders, meanwhile, project confidence, with Chief Minister Sarma claiming the party was headed for a comfortable victory.

What Lies Ahead  

As the silence period begins, all eyes will be on polling day arrangements and voter turnout. The infiltration debate is likely to echo in post-poll analysis, especially if results in Assam and later phases in West Bengal reflect shifting public priorities. Political observers note that the BJP is banking on its record of border management and development initiatives, while the Congress is attempting to frame the election around governance and personal allegations.

The coming days will test how these issues translate into votes in a state where demographic concerns have historically influenced electoral outcomes.