Adding to the suspense surrounding the upcoming crucial meeting of newly elected BJP MLAs, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan posted on X on Saturday with the message "Sabhi ko Ram-Ram ('Ram Ram' to all)." The ambiguous greeting or farewell sparked speculations, given the dual use of "Ram Ram" in Indian culture.
During the scheduled meeting, State BJP Chief VD Sharma clarified that the decision on the next chief minister would be made collectively by the MLAs and the party leadership. Three central observers will arrive in Bhopal on Monday, including Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, and the MLAs will convene at 4 pm to elect their leader.
When asked about Chouhan's tweet, Sharma emphasised the cultural significance of invoking Lord Ram, saying, "This is (Lord) Ram's country. On January 22, a grand idol of Lord Ram will be consecrated at Ayodhya's Ram Temple. We say 'Ram, Ram' to each other in the morning. It is customary for us to begin the day with the name Ram," news agency PTI reported. He further assured party members that they would respect the leadership's decision.
"Our leadership...honorable Prime Minister, honourable Amit Shah ji, honourable BJP President J P Nadda, and central leadership will make a decision. The workers will respect the decision... our leadership will decide," Sharma said.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Amit Shah shared a chess-themed post on Instagram, featuring a delightful picture of him playing chess with his granddaughters. The caption, "Don't settle for a good move, always look for the better one," stirred intrigue, coinciding with the BJP's delay in announcing Chief Ministers for states like Madhya Pradesh.
As the BJP faces criticism from the Opposition for the suspense over Chief Minister appointments in states like Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan, the post by Amit Shah adds to the speculation. While several BJP leaders have hinted at the suspense ending soon, the party remains guarded about revealing its choices.
The post by Amit Shah adds to the speculation as the BJP faces criticism from the Opposition for the uncertainty surrounding Chief Minister appointments in states such as Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan. While several BJP leaders have hinted that the wait will be over soon, the party has remained tight-lipped about its plans.
The BJP's decisive victories in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan have shifted the political landscape, causing significant losses for the Congress and reshaping the dynamics in the Hindi heartland. As the guessing game continues, the Instagram post by Amit Shah has garnered significant attention, amassing over two lakh likes.