Shivraj Singh Chouhan was the strongest contender for the chief minister’s post for a record fifth time after the BJP stormed back to power in the state winning 163 out of the 230 assembly seats. But the top party brass had other plans. The BJP selected little known Mohan Yadav to lead its government, possibly keeping in mind the need for caste balance ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
On Wednesday, Chouhan, while addressing a gathering in Shahganj town under his Budhni assembly seat on Tuesday evening, quipped about the development that left thousands of his supporters in the state disappointed.
“Kai baar raj tilak hote hote vanvas bhi ho jata hai lekin vo kisi na kisi udeshya ki purti ke liye hota hai (Some times while waiting for coronation, one gets exile. There must be some bigger objective),” Shivraj told the gathering, which included several women who have benefitted a lot from his welfare schemes.
“I will not go anywhere. I will live here and die here,” Chouhan said when a couple of women sitting in the audience shouted “bhaiyya (brother), don’t go anywhere leaving us alone.”
The former chief minister assured the people that all schemes started by him will continue under the new chief minister.
“Laldli Bahna Yojana will continue and also no stone will be left unturned in the welfare of the nephews and nieces. We have said many things, we will do whatever we have said for Ladli Bahna. There is a government of Bharatiya Janata Party in the state and not the Congress government. Our government (BJP) will work,” Chouhan said.
“The promises given to the farmers will also be fulfilled. Ladli Bahan Yojana, schemes like Ladli Bahan Awas Yojana and one family one employment, all these works will be taken forward by the new government,” he added.
Chouhan also announced to name his house, a government bungalow in Bhopal, as “Mama Ka Ghar” and said its doors were open for everyone.
Clearly, Shivraj Singh Chouhan is yet to come to terms with the sudden turn of fate that seems to have left him in the lurch.