A sense of alienation fuelled the push for Chhattisgarh in the 1990s. Although a part of undivided Madhya Pradesh, the region was far away from the Bhopal-based administration, both physically and “emotionally”.“Bastar was a punishment posting for bureaucrats,” said Arvind Netam, an 83-year-old tribal leader and former central minister. “[Five-time MP] Chandulal Chandrakar and I would feel that we’re not emotionally integrated with MP.”Since attaining statehood on November 1, 2000, Chhattisgarh has had a remarkable journey. But challenges remain.Behind statehood demandChhattisgarh boasts India’s third largest coal and iron ore reserves. It produces roughly 20% of the country’s steel and aluminium, and 15% of its cement. Roughly 44% of its area is under forest cover. Despite these riches, the state was the most backward part of united Madhya Pradesh.The state also is home to a large tribal population: roughly 34% of its citizens belong to one of 42 tribes. “Regions such as Sarguja, Bastar, Raigarh, Bilaspur and Raipur had their own geographical, linguistic and cultural distinctions. Even the tribal communities have their own identities,” said Sushil Trivedi, Chhattisgarh’s first state election commissioner.There are similarities in the stories of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. But Chhattisgarh’s story is distinct.“Chhattisgarh, a tribal-dominated state, had neither a strong religious and spiritual identity like Uttarakhand nor a highly motivated tribal leadership like Jharkhand,” said Sushil Trivedi, 81, a retired IAS officer and Chhattisgarh’s first state election commissioner.Story continues below this adWhat fuelled Chhattisgarh’s statehood demand, instead, was the competitive political landscape of the 1990s.Journey to statehoodThe seeds of Chhhattisgarh were sown in the 1900s, when freedom fighter Pandit Madhavrao Sapre launched Chhattisgarh Mitra, a magazine focussed on local issues and identity. The first formal demand for Chhattisgarh came in 1924, when politician Vamanrao Lakhe raised it at a Raipur District Congress Committee meeting.The demand for statehood would periodically flare up. The States Reorganisation Commission’s decision to merge Chhattisgarh with Madhya Pradesh in 1955 angered many. Khubchand Baghel, a veteran of the freedom struggle, founded the Chhattisgarh Mahasabha in 1956 and the Chhattisgarh Bhratri Sangh in 1967 — both instrumental in sustaining the demand.Several others would also make the demand for a Chhattisgarh. “But the demand simmered — it was never violent or too vocal,” said Trivedi.Story continues below this adIt was in the 1990s that the push for statehood gathered steam. In 1991, MLA Mahesh Tiwari introduced a resolution in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly seeking statehood. While it was rejected, it set the stage for renewed efforts — including a similar resolution by MP BJP leader Gopal Parmar that gained unanimous support.These appeals culminated in 1998 when then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, at a Raipur rally, promised statehood. “Aap mujhe 11 saansad deejiye, main aapko Chhattisgarh doonga (Give me 11 MPs, I will give you Chhattisgarh),” he said. Vajpayee’s BJP won 10 of 11 seats in the Chhattisgarh region in that election — Chhattisgarh was granted statehood two years later.Many successes over yearsThe state has come a long way since its creation. Its budget rose from nearly Rs 6,000 crore in 2000-2001 to Rs 1.65 lakh crore in 2025-2026 — a 2,650% increase.In 2000, under its first chief minister Ajit Jogi, the government launched decentralised paddy procurement — a move that helped make Chhattisgarh one of India’s top rice producers today.Story continues below this adIn 2012, the Assembly passed the Chhattisgarh Food and Nutrition Security Act, five years after Raman Singh’s government introduced rice at Rs 3/kg for BPL families — later reduced to Re 1.According to Singh, in 25 years, Chhattisgarh has outpaced its parent state in power and infrastructure. “Today, our state is the only ‘zero power cut state’ in India — proof of our energy self-reliance. We also offer the highest MSP for paddy. Where lakhs once migrated, now only thousands do,” he said, adding that the Maoist movement, too, was “nearing its end”.Challenges persistYet, challenges — such as poverty, health, education, and unemployment and a struggle with Maoism– persist.“The quality of education needs to be improved,” said Chhattisgarh Sahitya Academy Chairman Shashank Sharma. “We must enhance employability through innovation, skill development, and entrepreneurship.”Story continues below this adEnvironmental activist Alok Shukla said the state has failed to empower tribals, farmers, and labourers.“Rapid mining and industrialisation have turned the state into a grazing ground for corporations, sharply degrading the environment. Air pollution has worsened in cities such as Korba. Rivers are polluted, groundwater is depleted, temperatures are rising, and man-animal conflicts have increased,” he said.