Shruti Suman
In a surprising turn of events in Madhya Pradesh, the BJP has chosen Mohan Yadav, the MLA from Ujjain Dakshin, as the new Chief Minister, succeeding Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Yadav, a former higher education minister in Chouhan’s cabinet, was not initially considered a contender for the CM position and emerged unexpectedly as the choice. This decision is seen as an attempt by the BJP to appeal to the OBC voters, constituting 48 percent of the population in Madhya Pradesh, ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Mohan Yadav, associated with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), was proposed by outgoing CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan during the BJP legislative party meeting in Bhopal. The decision was made eight days after the announcement of the assembly poll results. Yadav is expected to have two Deputy Chief Ministers, although their names have not been disclosed yet. There are indications that Narendra Tomar, a former Union Minister and current MLA from Dimni, may be appointed as the Speaker of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly.
The legislative party meeting was attended by three central observers – Manohar Lal Khattar, Dr K Laxman, and Asha Lakra. Before the meeting, a photo session of the newly elected MLAs with the central observers took place. Responding to his election as the leader of the legislative party, Mohan Yadav expressed gratitude, stating, “I am a humble worker of the party. I thank all of you, the state leadership, and the central leadership. With your love and support, I will endeavor to fulfill my responsibilities.”
This decision aligns with the BJP’s strategy to balance caste equations in preparation for the crucial Lok Sabha elections in 2024, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be seeking a third consecutive term. Some key leaders previously considered for the CM position included former Union Ministers Narendra Singh Tomar and Prahlad Patel, Shivraj Singh Chauhan, BJP state chief VD Sharma, and Kailash Vijayvargiya. The BJP secured a decisive victory in the Madhya Pradesh assembly elections, winning 163 out of 230 seats, while the Congress trailed with 66 seats.
