In a significant political development, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has revealed its choices for the chief ministers of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The swearing-in ceremony for Mohan Yadav and Vishnu Deo Sai is scheduled to take place today, with Prime Minister Modi and other senior BJP leaders in attendance.
Mohan Yadav, a 58-year-old three-time MLA and prominent OBC leader, emerged as the unexpected choice for Madhya Pradesh's chief minister. Known for his close association with the RSS, Yadav, who holds an LLB, MBA, and PhD, served as the higher education minister in Shivraj Singh Chouhan's cabinet. He will be supported by two deputies, Jagdish Devda and Rajendra Shukla, with Narendra Singh Tomar appointed as the Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker.
Vishnu Deo Sai, a 59-year-old former Union minister, will make history as the first tribal chief minister of Chhattisgarh. Despite lacking a prominent public profile, Sai's extensive experience in electoral politics and grassroots work played a pivotal role in securing his position. His deputies will be Vijay Sharma and Arun Sao, while former chief minister Raman Singh is set to become the Speaker.
The BJP's decision to choose these leaders deviates from the anticipated names, marking a strategic shift in the party's leadership approach. The swearing-in events are expected to conclude the speculation surrounding the cabinet berths in both states. Meanwhile, Rajasthan chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma is scheduled to take oath on December 15.
The outgoing chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, expressed confidence in the new leadership, stating that he believes the state will progress under their guidance. The BJP's week-long deliberation on the chief ministers and deputy chief ministers reflects a deliberate departure from the expected choices, introducing a fresh lineup of leaders.