As the assembly election results near a victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Madhya Pradesh, the party has not officially announced its chief ministerial candidate. Meanwhile, the Congress has projected former chief minister Kamal Nath for this position. In a time of the clear victory of the BJP, speculations are taking place to choose the next chief minister. The current chief minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who is contesting from the Budhni seat, is the longest-serving chief minister of Madhya Pradesh. In a state historically dominated by the BJP, having been in power for 18 of the last 20 years, Chouhan has proved to be a prominent party figure. If the BJP gets an absolute majority and has the task of forming the government, then Chouhan will likely be a strong contender for the chief minister's throne.
Chouhan's initiatives, including the 'Ladli Behna Yojana' launched in June this year, have resonated with voters. The promise to triple the monthly amount to Rs 3,000 under the 'Ladli Behna' if voted to power, along with other welfare measures such as reducing the cylinder price to Rs 450, have contributed to his appeal among the electorate. Additionally, the 'Ladli Laxmi' Scheme, introduced over a decade ago, has garnered support from female voters, further strengthening the BJP's position in the state. These schemes have projected the path of victory for the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh.
If the BJP thinks of changing the face of Madhya Pradesh, these may be the next contenders for the throne.
1. Jyotiraditya Scindia
The political landscape in Madhya Pradesh also bears the influence of Jyotiraditya Scindia, particularly in the Chambal-Gwalior segment of the state. The Gwalior-Chambal belt, which sends 34 MLAs to the state assembly, witnessed a significant shift in political dynamics following Scindia's departure from the Congress in March 2020. The subsequent resignation of 16 MLAs from the Gwalior-Chambal region and their subsequent victories in the by-elections significantly bolstered the BJP's presence there. Scindia's active involvement in campaigning for the BJP, particularly in the Gwalior-Chambal region, has been notable. Despite his influential role, Scindia has consistently maintained that he is not vying for the chief ministerial position, emphasizing his commitment to the party's objectives beyond personal ambitions.
2. Kailash Vijavargiya
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national general secretary, Kailash Vijayvargiya, has garnered attention for his potential candidacy for the post of CM. Following his nomination for the Indore-1 seat, Vijayvargiya has consistently made statements that suggest his aspirations for the CM position. In one instance in Indore, he remarked, "I will sit in Bhopal and give a signal; only then will your work be done." He has claimed that if given a bigger role by the BJP, he is ready to shoulder big responsibilities.
3. Narendra Singh Tomar
Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar's name has emerged as a potential contender for the chief minister's post. Tomar gained attention after being appointed convenor of the Election Management Committee in MP. Despite serving as a Union Minister, he was fielded to contest the elections, leading to speculation that the seat was reserved for him. Tomar and Scindia have both denied these claims. Tomar emphasized the BJP's collective leadership, stating that selecting the Chief Minister would be finalized after the election results. However, the recent viral video of his son's recovery has tarnished his image. Nevertheless, given his favor with the high command, his candidacy remains a topic of discussion.
4. V. D. Sharma
State President V.D. Sharma is also a significant figure to consider. He could emerge as a surprise contender in Madhya Pradesh politics. Despite not participating in the assembly elections, numerous indications during the campaign have sparked discussions about his potential candidacy. PM Modi's interactions with VD Sharma during the campaign have unsettled many political experts in MP. Observing VD Sharma alongside the PM during the roadshow in Indore has led to speculation about his prospects for the CM position. However, his Brahmin identity could be a major obstacle to his 2024 strategy. Congress' focus on backward politics suggests that the BJP may not appoint an upper-caste individual as the CM.
5. Prahlad Singh Patel or Faggan Singh Kulaste
This time, in Madhya Pradesh, the BJP has nominated Union Minister Prahlad Singh Patel, who has served as a minister in governments from Atal Bihari Vajpayee to Narendra Modi. Following Shivraj Singh Chauhan, he is the most prominent OBC leader in the state, which is a significant advantage for him. Additionally, the BJP could employ a new strategy in MP to appeal to tribal voters. With 47 assembly seats in Madhya Pradesh reserved for tribals, appointing Union Minister Faggan Singh Kulaste as the CM could help the party gain traction among tribal voters from Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and neighboring states. Similarly, State Home Minister Narottam Misra's strong Hindutva stance could also propel his candidacy.