BJP plans 3 new CM faces

New Delhi: The BJP’s top leadership is actively considering bringing in fresh faces for all three Hindi heartland states — Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The top echelons of the party on Wednesday conveyed to the state units that “new faces” could be brought in for the top posts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah went into a huddle on Wednesday evening reportedly to take stock of the situation.

The names for the new chief ministers have not yet been indicated. However, despite a stupendous electoral victory, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan could be deprived of a record fifth term. Similarly, Vasundhara Raje might not get a shot at the top job regardless of a convincing electoral win in Rajasthan. Chhattisgarh too is likely to get a new face instead of the “tried and tested” former chief minister Raman Singh.

The probable move, however, triggered mixed reactions within the party. While a large section felt Chouhan’s “hard work”, "welfare schemes" and "popularity" had played a significant role in the landslide electoral victory in MP, other camps (of CM aspirants) were pushing for the incumbent CM’s replacement. Those against Chouhan’s or Raje's replacement went on to allege that this was a “subtle but systematic marginalisation of mass leaders”. Sources revealed that parleys were being held to shift Chouhan to New Delhi as a Union minister.

Seemingly unperturbed by the ongoing machinations within the organisation, Chouhan on Wednesday launched his campaign for the Lok Sabha polls “Mission 29”. Addressing a public meeting at Chhindwara, bastion of the beleaguered Congress leader Kamal Nath, he expressed gratitude to the people of Madhya Pradesh and “ladli behnas”. Chouhan said: “Jab tak meri saans chalehgi, tab tak main aap ki seva karunga” (I will serve you till my last breath). His Mission 29 was launched to target all 29 Lok Sabha seats in the state. “Today the people of Chhindwara must promise to help the BJP win all the 29 seats,” Chouhan said. He sought an assurance from the people of Chhindwara that they would "make Narendra Modi the Prime Minister yet again". Chouhan's rallies even after the victory was being viewed as his subtle moves to indicate that his welfare schemes, particularly Ladli Behna, had played a key role in trouncing the Opposition.

That the move to bring in new faces was being put into action became evident after 10 of 12 BJP MPs, who won Assembly elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, resigned from the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. Those who tendered their resignation included Union ministers Narendra Singh Tomar and Prahlad Singh Patel. Others who resigned included Rakesh Singh, Udya Pratap Singh and Riti Pathak, Kirodi Lal Meena, Diya Kumari,  Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Gomati Sai and Arun Sao. All other than Meena are Lok Sabha members. Meena is a Rajya Sabha member. The names of Jyotiraditya Scindia, Tomar and Patel were doing the rounds in the BJP’s corridors to replace Mr Chouhan. Speculation was rife that all the three states were going to have deputy chief ministers. There were also discussions that Madhya Pradesh could have two deputy chief ministers to balance the caste equation.

While BJP legislators Diya Kumari, Balaknath Yogi, Acharaya Balmukand and Union minister Gajendra Shekhawat were being considered for the top job by the party in Rajasthan, Union minister Renuka Singh, Rajya Sabha MP Saroj Pandey, state unit chief Arun Sao, former state unit chief Vishudeo Sai and Lata Usendi were in the race for Chhattisgarh chief minister.

While the party seemed to be tilting towards injecting fresh blood for the top jobs in all three states, grumbling within the organisation has begun over the possible replacement of Chouhan and sidelining of Raje. Some party leaders felt that other than the Prime Minister himself, “there remain a few mass-based leaders with a direct connection to the ground in the BJP today”. While Raje is 70 years old, Chouhan is only 64 years old. BJP leaders pointed out that if Chouhan is given a fifth term, he will complete a record 25 years as a BJP chief minister, “a feat unparalleled in the party so far”. Similarly, if Raje was made CM for the third time, “her image too will get a tremendous boost”. If the BJP wins the 2024 general election, there “will be some serious contenders for the top job during the 2029 general elections”, a senior party functionary added.