BJP’s Power Palette: Diverse Portraits For The CM’s Chair.

For the first time in nearly four decades, the ruling BJP is going into an assembly election in Madhya Pradesh without a chief ministerial face. In the pivotal 2003 elections, the BJP made a significant move by announcing Uma Bharti as the party’s Chief Ministerial candidate a notable 10 months prior to the election day. This proactive approach highlighted the party’s confidence in its leaders and its strategic planning.

In subsequent electoral battles, the BJP consistently expressed its trust in the leadership of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, ensuring he had the autonomy in matters of candidate selection and campaign strategy. The party’s unwavering support was evident, underlining their belief in a cohesive and unified approach. Further emphasizing this unity, Chouhan’s recommendations played a vital role in organizational decisions. A testament to this was in December 2012, when, a year preceding the assembly elections, the then state BJP chief and two-time Rajya Sabha MP, Prabhat Jha, was succeeded by Narendra Singh Tomar, as per Chouhan’s advice. This move was indicative of the party’s emphasis on aligning its internal dynamics with the broader political strategy.

In the wake of the BJP’s unexpected defeat in the recent assembly polls, a discernible shift in strategy for 2023 emerges. On August 20, in a press briefing, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, when queried about Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s role as the potential Chief Ministerial candidate, maintained that while Chouhan remains the current CM as the elections approach, the final decision rests with the party. Signifying possibly a broader involvement from the central leadership, Shah introduced an ensemble of senior leaders from the national capital, including Union ministers Narendra Singh Tomar, Bhupendra Yadav, and Ashwini Vaishnaw, to steer the electoral campaign in Madhya Pradesh.

The recent unveiling of the BJP’s second candidate list has evidently raised eyebrows within political corridors. In an unexpected move, seven Members of Parliament, encompassing three prominent Union ministers – Tomar, Prahlad Singh Patel, and Faggan Singh Kulaste – have been nominated. Additionally, the inclusion of BJP’s national general secretary, Kailash Vijayvargiya, is noteworthy. Intriguingly, at least four of these nominees hold significant gravitas and are perceived as prospective contenders for the Chief Ministerial berth. This strategic selection suggests a possible recalibration of leadership roles and a hint towards the party’s future leadership matrix in the state. In the ever-evolving political chessboard of the BJP, Union Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia emerges as a pivotal figure. His instrumental role in reinstating the BJP to power in March 2020 cannot be overlooked. With murmurs suggesting his potential candidacy in the upcoming assembly polls, Scindia positions himself as a formidable contender for the Chief Ministerial mantle. Party insiders indicate that, in an attempt to offset any anti-incumbency sentiments, the central leadership is leveraging its heavyweights, expecting them to not just secure their respective constituencies, but also to sway neighbouring assembly segments. The final determination of the Chief Ministerial candidate will be inextricably linked to the electoral outcomes and individual contributions of these stalwarts. However, it’s imperative to remember that Shivraj Singh Chouhan, with his unparalleled tenure as the state’s longest-serving CM of 16 years, remains a force to reckon with. His political tenacity signifies an unyielding spirit, making his legacy a daunting benchmark for successors

On October 5, in a politically charged statement, Vijayvargiya remarked, “My aspirations in the Indore-1 constituency go beyond just an MLA role. I anticipate a loftier mandate from the party.” Such a comment stirs speculation. Is Vijayvargiya subtly alluding to a potential Chief Ministerial aspiration?

Further adding to the dynamic political narrative, PWD Minister and veteran six-time MLA, Gopal Bhargava, has expressed his intent to contest. His rhetoric, laced with both divine and personal undertones, suggests that he sees this as a providential calling to enter the electoral fray “one final time”. His reverence for his spiritual guide has propelled this decision. Bhargava’s emphasis on the BJP venturing into the elections without a clear CM face subtly underlines his own potential candidature for the helm. The evolving landscape points towards multiple contenders vying for the coveted post, adding layers of complexity and intrigue to the political discourse.