After sweeping victories in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh, the BJP is preparing for a possible generational shift in chief ministership, according to party sources. In light of the 2024 general elections, the party is considering appointing new faces to key CM positions in these heartland states.
Despite the presence of experienced former Chief Ministers like Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Vasundhara Raje, and Raman Singh, BJP sources highlighted the possibility of ushering in a newer leadership generation.
Following the poll triumphs, the BJP’s top brass, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and party chief JP Nadda, engaged in a marathon four-and-a-half-hour deliberation at the Prime Minister’s residence. This meeting pondered the frontrunners for the CM positions in these states.
Earlier consultations with the BJP’s state in-charges by Shah and Nadda gathered information on potential candidates. The central leadership is likely to appoint observers to oversee the election of leaders by newly elected MLAs in these states.
For the Madhya Pradesh CM role, contenders include incumbent Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union ministers Prahlad Patel, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Narendra Singh Tomar, and senior leader Kailash Vijayvargiya.
Meanwhile, in Rajasthan, the array of potential candidates includes former CM Vasundhara Raje, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Union Ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Arjun Ram Meghwal, state president C. P. Joshi, and other prominent leaders.
Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh is one of the candidates, along with State BJP President Arun Kumar Sao, opposition leader Dharamlal Kaushik, and former IAS officer O P Chaudhary. Nonetheless, the BJP’s penchant for surprise selections keeps the final decision shrouded in mystery.