Raipur: Raman Singh, doctor-turned-politician who became the first Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh today (Dec 7, 2003), has been rewarded for his quiet and efficient work, both as a party organiser as well as an administrator.

Fifty-one year-old Singh, an Ayurveda doctor, was a dark horse in the race for the top slot in a State where factionalism prevented BJP from going public with its Chief Ministerial candidate in the just-held Assembly elections.

However, Singh, State BJP president, has all along been in contention for Chief Ministership, even though he was perceived a distant third compared to former Union Minister Dilip Singh Judeo, the only BJP leader in Chhattisgarh with a State-wide appeal, and Union Minister of State for Mines Ramesh Bais.

But circumstances turned in favour of Singh when cash-on-camera scam involving Judeo took place a few weeks before the December 1 polling, ruling out his chances for the top post.

Singh had to sacrifice his ministerial berth at the Centre and was assigned the onerous task of spearheading the saffron challenge to resourceful rival and his predecessor Ajit Jogi.

Singh, along with his Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) mentor Lakhiram Agarwal, is credited with formulating the strategy to take on Jogi that paid off handsomely in the polls. A job done quietly and with precision.

Born on October 15, 1952, Raman Singh is no stranger to either electoral battles or in the corridors of power.

He was first elected to Madhya Pradesh Assembly (before the creation of Chhattisgarh) in 1990 and again in 1998.

In 1999, he made his debut in Lok Sabha from Rajnandgaon, defeating veteran Congress leader Motilal Vohra and was appointed the Minister of State for Commerce and Industries in the Vajpayee Government, a charge he had held till he quit the ministry to become Chhattisgarh BJP chief.

What apparently tilted the scale in favour of Singh for Chief Ministership is his non-controversial image and a quiet way of doing things.

Married to Beena, Singh has a son and a daughter.

PTI