BJP observers to pick CMs in MP, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh: What you need to know

As the suspense over new Chief Ministers in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh continues, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appointed central observers on Friday (December 8) to select CMs for the three states.

The central observers tasked with electing the leader of the legislative party in these states include Rajnath Singh, Manohar Lal Khattar, and Arjun Munda.

The BJP emerged victorious in the three states during the recently held assembly elections.

What

• The BJP released a statement indicating the appointment of observers by the party's Parliamentary committee for the three won states.

  भारतीय जनता पार्टी के संसदीय बोर्ड ने राजस्थान, मध्य प्रदेश एवं छत्तीसगढ़ में पार्टी विधायक दल के नेता के चुनाव हेतु केंद्रीय पर्यवेक्षकों की नियुक्ति की है। pic.twitter.com/UYv1goanjI

  — BJP (@BJP4India) December 8, 2023

• For Rajasthan, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Rajya Sabha MP Saroj Pandey, and National Secretary of BJP Vinod Tawde have been chosen.
• For Madhya Pradesh, the responsibility falls on Haryana CM Manohal Lal Khattar, BJP OBC Morcha President Dr K Laxman, and National Secretary Asha Lakra.
• For Chhattisgarh, Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda, Union Cabinet Minister Sarbanda Sonowal, and National General Secretary of BJP Dushyant Kumar Gautam have been assigned.
• These appointed observers will convene with the elected legislators of the respective states and convey the response to the party, which will later announce the CMs.

Top contenders in the three states

Madhya Pradesh

• The suspense in selecting CMs mainly involves Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, while Madhya Pradesh widely expects incumbent CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan to retain his position.
• The 64-year-old leader led the BJP to a significant victory, securing 163 seats out of 230, despite anti-incumbency sentiments.
• Chouhan, fondly known as Mamaji, enjoys massive popularity and faces no apparent challenge from any other leader in the state for the CM seat. He has served as CM four times since his first tenure in 2005 and holds the record as the longest-serving CM of MP.

Rajasthan

• The suspense lingers in Rajasthan over the CM announcement, with two contenders for the post: Former CM Vasundhara Raje and former Union Minister Baba Balak Nath.
• Chances for Baba Balaknath to become CM increased as he contested the assembly election despite being an MP from Alwar.
• Moreover, his resignation as Lok Sabha MP suggests an anticipated role in the new Rajasthan government.
• The party refrained from naming Raje as CM before the elections due to reservations among voters. There might be a change in strategy keeping the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in mind, as Rajasthan holds 25 Parliamentary seats, of which BJP won 24 in 2019.

Chhattisgarh

• The contest in Chhattisgarh primarily involves former CM Raman Singh and new IAS-turned-MLA Om Prakash Choudhary, who won the Raigrah assembly seat with a 64,000-vote lead.
• Choudhary, introduced to politics by CM Raman Singh in 2018, commands respect in the state, notably for his remarkable contributions in the education sector.
• Despite losing his seat by a significant margin in 2018, Choudhary's exceptional work is expected to land him a significant role in the party.
• The BJP's unexpected win in Chhattisgarh surprised many, as all exit polls predicted a Congress victory. However, the BJP secured 54 out of 90 seats, reducing Congress to 35.

Also read: Meet OP Choudhary, the IAS-turned-MLA who is likely the next Chhattisgarh CM

Read: Rajasthan's Yogi: Who is Balak Nath, the BJP's potential CM candidate?