Madhya Pradesh: Another Big Surprise As BJP Picks Mohan Yadav
Editor-in-Chief of indiacommentary.com. Current Affairs analyst and political commentator. Author of Cyber Scams in India, Digital Arrest, The Money Trap and The Human Hack
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By Sunil Garodia
First publised on 2023-12-11 16:29:20
About the Author
Editor-in-Chief of indiacommentary.com. Current Affairs analyst and political commentator. Author of Cyber Scams in India, Digital Arrest, The Money Trap and The Human Hack
View all posts by this Author
MP Victory Was Most Decisive
Of the three states in which the BJP won in the recent elections, the victory in Madhya Pradesh was the most decisive. The party increased both its vote share and seats. The victory sweeter as the party was fighting anti-incumbency and the Congress had launched a spirited campaign under the wily Kamal Nath. But propelled by some excellent welfare schemes piloted by the redoubtable Shivraj Singh Chouhan, notably the Ladli Behna scheme, the BJP romped home in a spectacular fashion. Hence, it was a given that Chouhan will once again be the chief minister.
Mohan Yadav Is The Surprise Pick In MP
But some things changed after the victory. The BJP high command decided that in all the three states, it would go for new line of leadership, younger and more dynamic to prepare for a final thrust in 2024 Lok Sabha elections. It sprang a surprise in Chhattisgarh by naming tribal leader Vishnu Deo Sai as the chief minister. It did a similar thing in MP by naming Mohan Yadav, an OBC leader who represents Ujjain South in the assembly as its chief minister pick. Yadav is 58, 6 years younger to Chouhan. He is close to the RSS but otherwise maintains a low profile. He was higher education minister in the Chouhan administration.
BJP Has A New Template
Like Sai in Chhattisgarh, there was no buzz around Yadav's name, both in political circles or the media. Narendra Singh Tomar was emerging as a strong candidate and it was believed that it was a toss-up between him and Chouhan. But after Chhattisgarh, it seems the BJP is following a new template. Yadav, like Sai, is also likely to get two deputies. It is likely that like Raman Singh in Chhattisgarh, Tomar is likely to be made Speaker of the assembly in MP.
What Will Happen In Rajasthan?
With the BJP high command having decided to have new faces in place, it does not augur well for Vasundhara Raje in Rajasthan. The decision for the state is likely to be taken tomorrow. Going by what has been seen in Chhattisgarh and MP, Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is unlikely to get the hot seat. The BJP might spring another surprise in the state.
