On March 17, the eve of Holi, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was doing what he does best. Clad in colourful traditional outfits, Chouhan and his wife, Sadhna, danced merrily to tribal music at the Bhagoria fair in Barwani. Later, he addressed the people, asking them to enjoy Holi as, after two years, Covid-19 was not casting a shadow on the festivities. He also announced welfare measures for the region.
Chouhan, who was just a week short of completing the second year of his fourth term as chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, had, on the day, crossed a personal milestone. The 63-year-old became the BJP’s longest serving chief minister as he crossed former Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh’s mark of 15 years and 10 days. But, there was no mention of this at any level. Chouhan himself told THE WEEK that personal achievements were not significant.
However, the fact that Chouhan has successfully administered a big, politically key state like Madhya Pradesh for such a long time cannot be ignored. Chouhan got his fourth term after the Congress government collapsed within 15 months of taking charge in 2018. Because of that loss, the BJP is assessing his potential to win in 2023. After the BJP’s leadership changes in states like Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Karnataka, there have been speculations of a new face replacing Chouhan.
The Congress, including senior leaders like Digvijaya Singh, have been talking about the threat to Chouhan from Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, who left the Congress two years ago with his supporters to help the BJP return to power. But, experts do not agree. Political commentator Manish Dixit said Chouhan’s improved relations with Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a major plus. “The fact that Chouhan is not seen as a challenger to central leadership also works in his favour,” he added.
Rasheed Kidwai, political analyst, however, said that if Chouhan had assumed a brand value as a strong OBC leader with a pan-India identity, the BJP could easily move him into a central role, as party president or a Union minister and go with Scindia in Madhya Pradesh. But is that likely? Kidwai said that depended on the sangh parivar’s outlook ahead of the 2023 polls. “They will assess the situation and decide only after the Gujarat polls,” he said. “Unless they consider Scindia a long-term national asset, and have some other role in mind for him, will they be willing to make him chief minister to hone him all-round.”
Chouhan waived off the speculations, saying that there was no competition among colleagues in the BJP and that the party decided the roles to be played by its leaders. He said that the comments from the Congress fold only indicated the frustration within the grand old party. The Congress is very much a scattered camp with no effective second line of leaders. Kamal Nath, who turns 77 in 2023, is going to lead its campaign, according to K.K. Mishra, general secretary, state media cell of the Congress.
But, Nath looks terribly alone going into the tough battle. Digvijaya Singh is considered a liability as far as campaigning goes. So, as things stand, Nath, who is not a populist or lucid leader, will have to take care of the campaigning and raise election funds. The BJP, with its coffers full, is active on the ground around the year. It also has multiple influential leaders, apart from Chouhan and Scindia, like Narendra Singh Tomar, Prahlad Patel and Kailash Vijayvargiya. Moreover, the BJP has been making consistent efforts to woo key electorates like the tribals and the OBCs. This was reflected in Chouhan’s Bhagoria participation, too.
The ruling party is also allocating huge budgets for religious projects and taking a hard line against crime, similar to the Uttar Pradesh model. Therefore, the situation seems quite favourable to both the BJP and Chouhan.
In an exclusive interview, Chouhan talks about his achievements, working style, dynasty politics and the opposition. Excerpts:
Q/ You have completed two years of this term. What has been your focus?
A/ Ever since I started my political journey, my only focus has been serving my people, society, and my country. People are like God to me. My only focus when I took over as chief minister was to safeguard the life of my people as the deadly Covid-19 was knocking on our doors and the state was not ready for it.
The Congress government was busy in the event management of the IIFA awards, and medical facilities were lagging. So, my only focus was to protect the people and to maintain the state’s stability. Thankfully, through public participation, we overcame the tough times.
Q/ What will be your focus in the coming months as assembly polls are just a year and a half away?
A/ The BJP is always prepared to serve the people, and the people, too, know it well. Our focus is the betterment of the country, and people are in the mood to support those who support the theory of ‘nation first’.
Q/ What are your three biggest achievements as chief minister?
A/ I do not look at them as personal achievements, rather as achievements of Madhya Pradesh. There are many: we have extended the irrigated area of the state from 7.5 lakh hectare to around 43 lakh hectare. We have started numerous welfare schemes like ‘Ladli Lakshmi Yojana’ for women, especially our daughters. There is ‘Mukhyamantri Medhavi Vidyarthi Yojana’ for talented students, Sambal Yojana that supports the deprived section of society from birth to death.
My only achievement is the effort to ensure prosperity and happiness of my state and people. When we started, it saddened me to hear Madhya Pradesh being referred to as a backward state. So as chief minister, I decided that our Madhya Pradesh will change for sure. We can proudly say that the state has transformed tremendously today owing to people’s willpower.
Q/ You are known as a man of the masses. Did it come naturally to you? Or, did you have to work on it?
A/ The basic tenet of democracy is of the people, by the people, for the people. I am in public life as part of this vibrant democracy, so it is my duty, both morally and ethically, to have a strong bond with my people as their representative. I come from a village; I am a farmer’s son. These are my roots. How can you know the pulse of the people, their wishes, their aspirations, their problems until you meet them? If you want to serve the people, then you need to come out of air-conditioned cabins and reach the masses.
Q/ You completed 15 years as chief minister, and have become the longest-serving BJP chief minister. Whom do you credit for your political success?
A/ It is not the number of years one rules that matters, but the effort put in for the betterment of people in those years. I think the policies of the BJP government have complemented well with people’s mandate. I express my gratitude to the senior leaders of the party, the charismatic leadership of our beloved Prime Minister Narendra Modi and dedicated party workers for their continued support.
Q/ Who or what has been your inspiration in political and social life?
A/ My father was my first inspiration. Then, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has been my source of inspiration since childhood. Seven years with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad was a great learning experience. Swami Vivekananda’s thoughts have left a deep impression on me.
Powerful and inspirational words of (former BJP president) Kushabhau Thakre—“Bhashan nahi acharan mahatvapurn hota hain (Behaviour, and not speech, is the most important)”—played a significant role in my life. The ekatam manavvad (integral humanism) of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, charisma and visionary thoughts of (former prime minister) Atal Bihari Vajpayee inspired me a lot, too. And, I am glad that we are now working under the leadership of the prime minister, who is an inspiration for the whole nation.
Q/ There are speculations that you might be considered for an organisational role—may be party president—in the future.
A/ The BJP is a big family. Here, the role is chosen by the party, not by the individual. My only focus has been to do justice to whatever post/position I have held.
Q/ There are talks that your working style, especially your dealing with the bureaucracy, has become a lot more straightforward in this term. Also, your accessibility has reduced.
A/ People of the state have again put their faith and trust in me and shown enormous love and support…. It is not about being straightforward, it is just that my people and their welfare are my top priority, and we want to deliver on our promises in a time-bound manner.
Q/ The opposition often tries to pitch Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia as your probable competitor for the CM’s chair.
A/ There is no competition as such among our party colleagues. The Congress is frustrated, which is why it is making such comments. In the BJP, collective decision-making prevails. Here, everyone is equal and are friends. Scindia is now a member of the BJP family. This is the party where basic workers rise to the highest positions. It is not a family affair like the Congress’s, where sincere workers are ignored. The BJP ethos is reflected in the results of the recently concluded assembly elections.
Q/ What will be the impact of the recent assembly polls on national and state politics?
A/ Today, the flag of the BJP is flying high across the country simply because we have always prioritised national interest. We have tried to fulfil our aim of ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas (support of all; development for all)’ in the best possible way. We fought the polls in five states on the plank of development and the results are there to see. There has been unprecedented development work under the leadership of the prime minister and the election results show that people’s trust is with us.
In 2023, too, only development plank will be effective, not casteism, nepotism, dynasty politics or appeasement. The BJP will secure an effective win as per its goal.
Q/ The BJP and the Congress has been wooing the tribal community and the other backward classes in the state. Would caste and community politics play a role in 2023?
A/ We have never attempted to lure any community, but only did what is our duty. The BJP government in its 17 years has opened ways for holistic development of all communities; attempted to bring them into the mainstream and made them feel honoured. The Congress ruled for years, but never worked for the welfare of these communities and is now making alluring promises just for political gains. As for 2023, the BJP has never done casteist politics and never will. It is the Congress that is the inventor of casteism and appeasement. We work for ‘antyodaya’ (welfare of the last person) and focus on development.
Q/ There seems to be a focus on religious projects like the Mahakal temple and Shankaracharya statue. Is this in preparation for 2023, keeping in view the success of the strategy in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and other states?
A/ Not at all. Our government has focused on spiritual and religious tourism along with development right from the start. Our aim is to conserve our ancient culture and traditions and make youth aware of them. The Mahakal temple and statue of Shankaracharya are focal to our faith, and people from across the country are connected to it. Due to these projects, the cities will develop and there will be a direct or indirect boost to religious tourism and employment.
Q/ With the Congress performing badly in most states now and Madhya Pradesh being a bipolar contest, do you think the BJP’s prospects look brighter for the 2023 assembly polls?
A/ The Congress is on the verge of being finished, but not ready to learn lessons. It is a party of a single family. The condition of the state Congress is not hidden. There are one or two leaders who keep fighting to save their posts. There is no place for able people, and so no one wants to remain in the Congress. The BJP always lives in reality and our workers are always active…. Under Narendra Modi, a powerful, prosperous, glorious India is in the making. MP will play its role effectively in the making of Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) India.
Q/ The Congress often alleges that you and your government make many promises, but do not fulfil them on ground.
A/ The Congress itself is missing from the ground and talks about ground work of schemes. The results of our promises and schemes are before all; people are being benefited. The Congress only cheated farmers with the false loan waiver promise and engaged in the misdeed of closing down our welfare schemes. The Congress does not even have the right to make allegations. The 15-month-old Kamal Nath government only robbed the rights of the poor people.
Q/ Though the BJP is against dynasty politics, several young leaders from political families, including those in the BJP, have potential. Should family ties hinder natural talent?
A/ It is true that the BJP is against dynasty and family politics. It is the only party where workers are put first, not families. We have always worked to nurture talents, not suppress them. There are several examples in the BJP where you will find family members or children of leaders in politics, but they are there on the basis of their talent, not due to family ties. They got tickets from the party and won, too.
Q/For more than a year, you have been planting a tree daily.
A/ Last year, in February, while celebrating the Narmada Janmotsav in Amarkantak, I resolved to plant one tree a day. I am happy that common people have joined (my efforts) to protect the environment. As chief minister, it is my duty to ensure a better environment for future generations. Plantation, along with other measures, is the solution to mitigate global warming.
Q/ Your government is also building CM Rise Schools. What is the vision behind this scheme?
A/ CM Rise School scheme is for making next-generation, resource-rich schools for the children of Madhya Pradesh. It aims to enhance the quality of education so as to make students future-ready through state-of-the-art infrastructure and highly skilled teachers. We have a target of 350 CM Rise Schools for the state, and currently around 50 schools are being established.
Q/ What are your future plans for Madhya Pradesh?
A/ Our government’s future plan is to build ‘Atmanirbhar Madhya Pradesh’. The roadmap for this is ready and is based on the four pillars: economy and employment, governance, physical infrastructure and health and education.
It endeavours to empower our farmers, women and children, youth; expand road network; provide pucca and affordable houses to everyone, drinking water facility to every household; and ensure child safety. I have faith that the state’s contribution will go a long way towards the prime minister’s resolve of making India a $5 trillion economy.