After prolonged speculation, BJP observers finally disclosed the identity of Madhya Pradesh's next Chief Minister. Mohan Yadav will soon be sworn in as the next CM of the state. Yadav hails from Ujjain South. He was the former Higher Education Minister of the state.
It is to be noted that the state will have two Deputy Chief Ministers: Jagdish Deora and Rajendra Shukla. Madhya Pradesh's new Speaker will be Narendra Singh Tomar.
According to media reports, Mohan Yadav is considered close to Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav, who was in charge of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections.
In his initial response to the announcement, Yadav expressed gratitude for both central and state leadership. "I may not be worthy of the responsibility bestowed upon me, but I will make an effort with your love, blessings, and support," Yadav said.
State BJP President VD Sharma told reporters: "In the meeting, senior BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan proposed the name of Mohan Yadav as the new leader of the Madhya Pradesh legislative party. Narendra Singh Tomar, Kailash Vijayvargiya, Prahlad Patel and other senior leaders supported the proposal".
Following the announcement, Yadav's wife conveyed her gratitude, stating, "Bhagwan Mahakal ka ashirwad hai, party ka ashirwad hai (It is the blessing of Lord Mahakal, the blessing of the party)," news agency ANI quoted her as saying.
READ | Madhya Pradesh CM: Who Is Mohan Yadav, Ujjain MLA Replacing Shivraj Chouhan At Top Post
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) observers, including Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, arrived in Bhopal on Monday to participate in a meeting with the newly-elected party MLAs. The gathering aimed to determine the next chief minister for Madhya Pradesh following the party's triumph in the recent assembly elections. Similar deliberations for Rajasthan are scheduled for tomorrow.
On Sunday, the party announced Vishnu Deo Sai as the chief minister of Chhattisgarh, making him the first tribal CM after former CM Amit Jogi.
In the wake of the November 17 polls, where the BJP secured 163 out of 230 seats in the assembly, retaining power, the suspense over the chief ministerial candidate continues. The Congress secured 66 seats, trailing significantly.
The BJP's central observers, including Khattar, OBC Morcha head K Laxman, and secretary Asha Lakra, landed in Bhopal via a special plane around 11.30 am. They were welcomed by state party chief VD Sharma and other leaders at the Bhopal airport.
Upon arrival, the observers proceeded to the chief minister's residence for a meeting with CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan. As per the schedule provided to the MLAs, the meeting is set to commence at 4 pm on Monday, with the announcement of the chief minister expected later in the evening.
The state BJP office was adorned with flowers and posters featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accompanied by the slogan "MP ke Man Mein Modi, Desh Ke Man Mein Modi".
This victory marks the BJP's fifth term in Madhya Pradesh in the past two decades, having previously secured power in 2003, 2008, 2013, and 2020.