The BJP leadership is taking no chances in Madhya Pradesh, fielding 3 Union Ministers in Assembly polls

With elections to five Assemblies scheduled by this year end, political temperature is already on the rise. However, as the situation persists today, the battleground of Madhya Pradesh has taken the lead in evoking competition and wonderment more fierce than in the other four States. As the X factor in these elections for the BJP is the party's decision to bring back to fight the Assembly polls three Ministers from the Union Government, at least four sitting MPs representing the State and other senior party office bearers holding influence across castes, religion and region. The ruling party has come up with its second list of 39 candidates for Madhya Pradesh. This move comes as the party faces tough competition from the Congress. The BJP has made a bold move by fielding heavyweights, including Union Ministers, to maintain its stronghold in the State. Union Ministers Narendra Singh Tomar, Prahlad Patel and Faggan Singh Kulaste, along with party MPs Rakesh Singh, Ganesh Singh, Reeti Pathak and Uday Pratap Singh, as well as general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya, will now contest the Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections. The inclusion of these prominent leaders as candidates has also opened up the field for chief ministership aspirants; Narendra Singh Tomar, Prahlad Patel and Kailash Vijayvargiya are now considered strong contenders.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan has held the CM's post for nearly 20 years, with a brief interruption after the 2018 elections. The BJP is concerned about fatigue setting in regarding Chouhan. During a recent rally, Prime Minister Modi did not mention Chouhan even once. Meanwhile, Congress is emerging as a formidable contender under former CM Kamal Nath's leadership. This election promises to be a riveting showdown, with significant implications for Chouhan, besides the State's political future. Though Chouhan has served as the Chief Minister for multiple terms and is widely credited as a popular leader, his reputation and political future are now closely tied to this poll's outcome. If the BJP manages to secure a comfortable majority, it will consolidate his position within the party and strengthen his leadership in the State. On the other hand, a loss could raise questions about his ability to win elections and govern effectively. Kamal Nath, a seasoned politician, is working to consolidate the party's base and capitalise on anti-incumbency sentiments. The Congress' performance in recent byelections has been promising, boosting its confidence. The party is banking on issues such as unemployment, rural distress. Its campaign is centred on the promise of "change and improved governance". Meanwhile, the BJP’s decision to field its stalwarts is an ominous sign for Chouhan and shows the party’s dwindling faith in his leadership. Anti-incumbency and a number of unsavoury incidents have led to the erosion of his reputation which could cost the party an important State in the Hindi heartland. The BJP would not like that to happen just ahead of the 2024 general elections.