Two statements from former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday — one a sharp rebuke and the other a soft political reminder — were enough to heat up the State’s politics and fuel speculation that all may not be well within the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The latest row hints at mounting pressure on Chief Minister Mohan Yadav amid reports of differences between him and other senior party leaders, including Cabinet Ministers and State BJP president Hemant Khandelwal.
Mr. Chouhan, now Union Agriculture Minister, sharply criticised the State government over the demolition of houses of 12 tribal families and destruction of their crops at Kosmi village in Vidisha, his Lok Sabha constituency. The remarks are being seen as a message of his discontent with his successor’s administration. The eviction drive, carried out on grounds of alleged encroachment on forest land, was undertaken despite Mr. Chouhan having intervened in the matter on Sunday morning.
However, another statement made by him at an event in neighbouring Raisen district on the same day may hold greater political relevance. It centred on women, who form a large part of his personal support base as well as the BJP’s voter base, and is being seen as a direct response to Mr. Yadav’s recent comments on the BJP’s flagship Ladli Behna scheme, which provides a monthly allowance of ₹1,500 to eligible women.
Referring to the scheme that he launched in his final year as Chief Minister in 2023, Mr. Chouhan said, “The Chief Minister has continued this scheme and every government will have to keep it going. Sabko pata hai ki behenein gussa ho gayi toh phir khair nahi hai [Everybody knows that if sisters get angry, you are done for].”
He then sought a response from the women in the gathering on how much they wanted the allowance to be raised. “Yes, ₹3,000. It will increase gradually. Brothers, don’t be troubled, let the sisters move ahead. This is a campaign to change lives. Thanks to the Chief Minister too,” he said, in his familiar style of engaging with supporters. The remarks came a week after Mr. Yadav had said in jest at an event on October 4 that the scheme had proved to be a “very expensive affair”.
Mr. Chouhan has often intervened in matters concerning tribal people and women in the past.
Political observers who have followed Mr. Chouhan’s politics see various women-centric schemes as his legacy, which earned him the sobriquet ‘Mama (maternal uncle)’. A day after Mr. Chouhan extended his support to the tribals of Kosmi and joined their sit-in, his son Kartikeya Singh Chouhan also joined the protest on Monday night and spent hours with them.
‘Calculated move’
Observers and BJP insiders believe that the timing of Mr. Chouhan upping the ante and the variation in tone of his two remarks could be a “deliberate and calculated” move by the former Chief Minister, who is known for his soft, conversational style while addressing gatherings.
A senior BJP leader in Bhopal explained, “Shivrajji is well aware of the current power dynamic in the State BJP and that resentment is rising against the man who replaced him [Mr. Yadav]. So, his statements could be a calculated move to put his weight behind that resentment and add to the Chief Minister’s pressure. He also specifically said that he spoke to the State [BJP] president [on the razing of tribal houses] because he knows of the recent rumours of differences between him and the Chief Minister.”
The leader, who requested anonymity, also pointed out that Mr. Chouhan’s “unusually harsh words” for Forest Department officials over the eviction drive hold significance as Mr. Yadav himself heads the department.
While reports of various Ministers being disgruntled with Mr. Yadav’s style of functioning have surfaced frequently during his almost three-year tenure, rumours of differences between him and Mr. Khandelwal have emerged recently, including over the invitee list for a State BJP core committee meeting held earlier in October. Several senior leaders such as Narottam Mishra and Gopal Bhargava were missing from the meeting attended by the recently appointed Madhya Pradesh BJP in-charge Biplab Kumar Deb.
Senior journalist and political observer Rashid Kidwai also linked Mr. Chouhan’s recent remarks to his efforts to remain “relevant in the State while growing his stature in the national BJP”.
“This seems to be an interplay of what is happening in State and national politics. Shivraj knows that he is only important in Delhi as long as he remains relevant in Madhya Pradesh. He is known to be an obedient BJP karyakarta (worker) who barely breaches the discipline line set by the party. So, he seems to be trying to stay connected to State politics and protect what he sees as his legacy without baffling anyone in the party high command,” Mr. Kidwai said.
He also pointed out that while the BJP has many regional satraps in Madhya Pradesh, Mr. Chouhan could be the only leader with a pan-State appeal. “And he wants to keep it that way.”
Mr. Kidwai also said that a power tussle within the ruling party was “natural where the Chief Minister, though he enjoys the BJP high command’s backing, has many heavyweights and leaders senior to him across the State”.
He said the CM’s relevance, including his ‘Yadav’ credentials, should be seen in view of the important 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly poll. “Mohan Yadav’s relevance will depend on the U.P. election results, whether they are in the BJP’s favour or not. Till then, he may continue to enjoy Delhi’s backing as he has these past three years,” he said.
Mr. Yadav, however, has not condemned the eviction drive but said that an inquiry would clear the air.
“I am seeing a report from the officials and have also told the Chief Secretary [about it]. Our government is a sensitive one and if our senior has raised something, there is nothing wrong in conducting an inquiry. Doodh ka doodh aur paani ka paani ho jayega (The truth will come out),” he said, responding to a question on Mr. Chouhan’s remarks.
The Opposition Congress, meanwhile, has linked the Kosmi incident directly to a “power tussle”. “This action, taking place on the orders of those in power, is a new chapter in the open conflict brewing between the Chief Ministers of the BJP. The former Chief Minister had already instructed the district administration and Forest Department not to take any action. Despite this, the homes of the poor have been torn down,” State unit chief Jitu Patwari said.
“The poor tribals will not pay the price for the internal strife and tug-of-war within the Madhya Pradesh BJP,” he said.