Congress Renominates Tribal Leader Phulo Devi Netam for Rajya Sabha from Chhattisgarh
The Congress party has officially renominated tribal leader and sitting MP Phulo Devi Netam as its candidate for the Rajya Sabha from Chhattisgarh, according to Sushil Anand Shukla, head of the Congress communication department. This decision sets the stage for a significant electoral contest with the Bharatiya Janata Party, which has fielded OBC leader Laxmi Verma as its candidate.
Key Details of the Rajya Sabha Contest
The terms of two Rajya Sabha members from Chhattisgarh—Phulo Devi Netam and KTS Tulsi—are set to expire in April 2026. Netam currently serves as the president of the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Mahila Congress, highlighting her leadership role within the party. Both major parties will have their candidates file nomination papers on Thursday, marking the formal start of the election process.
By repeating Netam as its candidate, the Congress aims to project a strong tribal face from the Bastar region, an area of immense political and socio-cultural significance in Chhattisgarh. Party insiders indicate that this move reflects confidence in her parliamentary performance and her deep connection with grassroots workers, which has been a hallmark of her political career.
Phulo Devi Netam's Political Journey and Resilience
Netam was first elected to the Upper House on 14 September 2020. During her tenure, she has actively raised critical issues concerning tribal rights, forest dwellers, and development in districts affected by Left Wing Extremism. Her advocacy has focused on improving conditions in conflict-hit areas, drawing from her personal experiences in the region.
A seasoned leader, Netam is a survivor of the devastating 2013 Jhiram Ghati Naxal attack in Bastar's Darbha valley. On 25 May 2013, she was part of a Congress convoy that was ambushed while returning from a meeting in Sukma. The attack resulted in the deaths of over two dozen people, including senior state leaders. Her survival from this brutal assault is widely seen as a testament to her resilience and determination in a region plagued by conflict.
Strategic Implications and Community Outreach
With both major parties fielding women candidates—Netam from Congress and Laxmi Verma from BJP—the contest emphasizes themes of representation, regional balance, and community outreach. The renomination of Netam signals the Congress party's intent to maintain and strengthen its tribal outreach in Chhattisgarh, a key demographic in the state's political landscape.
Netam's political career began in 1994 when she was elected as the Janpad President of Farasgaon. In undivided Madhya Pradesh, she was elected as an MLA from Keshkal in 1998. She later served as the Bastar District Panchayat President from 2005 to 2010, gaining extensive administrative experience. Between 2011 and 2020, she held various organisational roles within the party, which culminated in her first elevation to the Rajya Sabha.
Netam's Statement and Gratitude
In a statement, Netam expressed her gratitude and outlined her political journey: "I began my political journey at the grassroots in 1994 as Janpad President of Farasgaon. I was elected MLA in undivided Madhya Pradesh in 1998 and later served as Bastar District Panchayat President. From 2011 to 2020, I worked to strengthen the party organisation. In September 2020, the party entrusted me with the Rajya Sabha role, and I have been nominated again. I thank Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Bhupesh Baghel, and other senior leaders for their faith in me. I do not belong to a political family; my achievements are due to the trust of the party and the people."
This renomination underscores the Congress's strategy to leverage Netam's experience and grassroots appeal in the upcoming Rajya Sabha election, positioning her as a symbol of tribal empowerment and resilience in Chhattisgarh.
