Suspense Over CM Candidate For 3 States Grows As BJP Leaders Hold Meetings With Contenders

As suspense over the Chief Ministers continues, senior leaders from Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan have been meeting the top party brass. Here's a roundup of the latest developments.

As the poll dust settles in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan, the focus now shifts to the selection of Chief Ministers. The meeting of the Chhattisgarh BJP Legislative Party is likely to take place on Sunday while the Legislative party meeting for Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan could take place on Monday. Amid the suspense over the chosen names for Chief Ministers, senior leaders from Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan have been meeting the top party brass, including Home Minister Amit Shah and party president J.P. Nadda.

Narendra Singh Tomar, who recently resigned as a Union minister, and Baba Balaknath, from Rajasthan, met with Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday. Both leaders resigned from Lok Sabha after becoming members of the assemblies in their respective states.

Here's a roundup of the latest developments pertaining to the selection of Chief Ministers in these states as well as who are frontrunners in the race.

Madhya Pradesh: BJP Legislative Meet On Monday To Decide Chief Minister

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislative meeting in Madhya Pradesh is scheduled for Monday, December 11, at 4 pm in Bhopal. The party will elect its legislative leader during this meeting, and then reveal the face of the Chief Minister for the state. Notable leaders like Prahlad Patel, Narendra Singh Tomar, and Vishnu Dutt Sharma are reportedly ahead in the race for the chief ministerial position.

The BJP observers are expected to arrive in Madhya Pradesh on Saturday to assess the political scenario and facilitate the chief ministerial selection. 

Meanwhile, the latest political visits of Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the incumbent Chief Minister, are viewed as the OBC leader's assertion of political influence in the state as the saffron party is believed to be considering new faces.

Chhattisgarh: Know Top Contenders Besides Raman Singh, Arun Sao

The top five contenders for the Chief Minister's post in Chhattisgarh include former Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh, who brings significant administrative experience to the table.

Chhattisgarh BJP president Arun Sao, Union minister Gomati Sai, and Lata Usendi, both from Scheduled Tribes, are seen as serious contenders for the top seat in the state, considering their social background, image, and relatively young profile, news agency PTI reported.

Others in consideration include tribal leader Vishnudeo Sai, Union Minister Renuka Singh, and first-time MLA and former collector OP Choudhary.

The Chhattisgarh BJP Legislative Party meeting, likely to take place on Sunday, will unveil who has been given the responsibility of the Chief Minister's post.

In Chhattisgarh, the BJP won 54 out of 90 seats, securing a clear mandate.

Rajasthan: Baba Balaknath Meets Nadda, Vasundhara Raje's 'Show Of Strength'

In Rajasthan too, several leaders have thrown their hats into the ring to become Chief Minister, creating an air of suspense. Speculations of former chief minister Vasundhara Raje's comeback are rife after her meeting with BJP National President JP Nadda in Delhi.

Notably, Rajasthan BJP's Baba Balaknath, said to be among the contenders, met party chief JP Nadda and the BJP's central observers today, as per NDTV's report. The central observers and Rajasthan-specific observer Saroj Pandey were present with Balaknath in the meeting which also included JP Nadda, the report mentioned.

Earlier, Raje, known for her political acumen, hosted about 25 winning MLAs on Monday at her residence in a significant political move. The meeting was seen as a "show of strength" within the party. After that, she met with JP Nadda on Thursday and discussed the political scenario in Rajasthan.

However, the list of contenders for the Chief Minister's position in Rajasthan is long and includes key figures like Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Ashwini Vaishnav, Arjun Meghwal, CP Joshi, Baba Balaknath, Rajyavardhan Singh, Diya Kumari, Kirori Lal Meena, Om Birla, and Om Mathur.

Meanwhile, BJP MLA Gopal Sharma told news agency PTI,  "There is no question of any confusion. The elections have been contested under the leadership of PM Modi. Who else than him can know better who will be more suitable (for the CM post)? We are waiting for the good news, which we hope will get by tomorrow. The meeting of MLAs will be held tomorrow, so they (observer) will be there."

BJP MLA Kanwar Lal Meena said he wanted Vasundhara Raje to take the top post. "Vasundhara (Raje) has been the CM (of Rajasthan) twice. Personally speaking, we would want her to become the CM. But whatever decision is taken by the party high command, we will accept it," he said, as per PTI.

According to inputs, BJP leaders are engaging with legislators to gather input for a comprehensive report for the three states. The final decision on the Chief Minister's candidate will be made by the central leadership after reviewing the report. The process is expected to be completed within the next five to seven days.

While the BJP central leadership is closely monitoring the situation, the final decision will be taken considering social, regional, governance, and organisational interests ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

With Inputs By Vikas Bhadauria and Neeraj Pandey

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