New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has unveiled its new Chief Ministers for Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan, ushering in a fresh leadership era. However, the future of seasoned politicians like Vasundhara Raje and Shivraj Singh Chouhan remains shrouded in uncertainty.
Vishnudev Sai has been chosen to lead Chhattisgarh, Mohan Yadav for Madhya Pradesh, and Bhajan Lal Sharma for Rajasthan. Notably, these appointments mark a departure from the BJP’s earlier reliance on Vasundhara Raje, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Raman Singh, who dominated the political landscape in their respective states during the Atal-Advani era.
While Raman Singh finds himself appointed as the Speaker of the Chhattisgarh Assembly, the political trajectory of Vasundhara Raje and Shivraj Singh Chouhan remains unclear. The BJP leadership has yet to reveal their plans for these experienced leaders, leaving room for speculation about their future roles in the central government or the party organisation.
Both Shivraj Singh Chouhan (64) and Vasundhara Raje (70) continue to enjoy significant popularity and political support within their states. With only four months until the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP is unlikely to ignore their strengths. Hence, the possibility of their inclusion in the Union Cabinet or the BJP organisation remains high.
Interestingly, both Vasundhara and Shivraj previously declined offers to enter central politics, preferring to remain active in their respective states. Despite their initial stance, the 2023 elections have necessitated a change in strategy, prompting the BJP to look beyond them for chief ministerial positions.
In all three states, the BJP opted not to declare a Chief Ministerial face before the elections, focusing instead on Prime Minister Modi and the party’s achievements. This move contrasted with the previous strategy of projecting Vasundhara Raje in Rajasthan, Shivraj in Madhya Pradesh, and Raman Singh in Chhattisgarh. Despite this shift, the BJP secured resounding victories in all three states.
The rise of new leadership in place of established faces has ignited speculation about the future of Shivraj and Vasundhara. While Vasundhara continues as an MLA from Jhalrapatan and holds the position of national vice president of the BJP, her options within the organisation seem limited. Her son, Dushyant Singh, is an MP and is likely to be fielded again in the Lok Sabha elections. It is possible that Vasundhara could be appointed to a central position in 2024, allowing Dushyant to enter the state assembly through a by-election. Alternatively, she could be offered a gubernatorial post, as the BJP has previously appointed several veteran leaders to such positions.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan is also expected to take on a new role within the BJP soon. He has ruled out contesting the Lok Sabha elections, stating, “I would rather die than ask for something for myself. That’s not my job.” However, he later clarified that he would follow any decisions made by the group.
As the BJP navigates the political landscape, the fate of Vasundhara Raje and Shivraj Singh Chouhan remains a subject of intrigue. Their experience, influence, and strong support base make them valuable assets for the party. However, the BJP’s focus on ushering in new leadership presents an interesting dilemma. It will be interesting to see how the party utilises the skills and experience of these veteran politicians while paving the way for the next generation of leaders.
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