Shivraj Chouhan returns as Madhya Pradesh CM for fourth time

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 23

Overcoming all political challenges and challengers, three-time Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was on Monday unanimously elected the leader of the BJP legislature party to take charge of Madhya Pradesh for the fourth term.

BJP’s Leader of Opposition during the 15-month tenure of the Kamal Nath government, Gopal Bhargav, proposed Chouhan’s name at the legislature party meeting in the evening.  His name was officially announced by general secretary Arun Singh, who joined the meeting via video-conferencing.

Chouhan was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Lalji Tandon at a ceremony in the Raj Bhawan.

The BJP, which came under much attack on the day Nath resigned, took no chances today.  The observers appointed by party president JP Nadda (Arun Singh and Madhya Pradesh in-charge Vinay Sahasrabuddhe) participated though video-conference while wearing masks as MLAs maintained a safe distance throughout the process. The party had drawn much criticism when ignoring the coronavirus scare supporters and party workers flocked the state headquarters in Bhopal after Nath resigned as CM on Friday.

In his very first address after being elected the leader of the legislature party, Chouhan said there should be no celebrations. “This is not the time to celebrate,” he said, asking cadres and supporters to not burst crackers or take to the streets. “I will take the oath in a simple ceremony and today itself go to my office. To fight coronavirus is my first priority,” Chouhan said.

Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and party president JP Nadda for reposing faith in him, Chouhan said he will leave no stone unturned to live up to the expectations of his party and people . “It can only happen in BJP that a common man (like him) can reach this position,” an emotional Chouhan said.

“There will be a perceptible change in the functioning of the government and we will all work together to put the state back on the rails,” promised Chouhan, returning to the hot seat at a time when the country is going through difficult time.

Coronavirus may be his first priority, but alongside Chouhan will also have to ensure that his party remains in a majority when byelections are held on the seats vacated by rebel Congress MLAs who have now joined the BJP.

At the same time, he will also have to take care of many ruffled feathers in his own party, especially those aspiring for tickets from these seats. Meanwhile, the Congress, which will be in a strong position as the Opposition, is not expected to make life any easier or leave any opportunity to corner him and the BJP.

Interestingly, Chouhan also said the meeting was organised at a short notice, giving rise to speculations that perhaps the BJP took the decision to hold the legislature party meeting today in mind the ongoing health crisis in the country.

Incidentally, several other names, including that of Bhargav, Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, senior leader Narottam Mishra, Leader of Rajya Sabha Thawar Chand Gehlot and Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Prahlad Singh Patel were doing the rounds for the top post in the state.