Shivraj Singh Chouhan has recently gain prominence in Madhya Pradesh politics. While he is now active in central politics, particularly in the Modi cabinet where he oversees key departments such as Agriculture and Rural Panchayat, there are circumstances that have led to his re-entry in the state politics. This comes in the light of the upcoming by-election for the Budhni assembly seat, which has been vacated following Chouhan's resignation.
Shivraj has held the Budhni assembly seat for five consecutive terms, and this marks the first assembly elections for this seat since 2006 in which he will not be a candidate. To leverage Chouhan's popularity in the area, the BJP is likely to endorse a candidate perceived as close to him for the by-election.
Can son get ticket?
In the 2023 assembly elections, Shivraj Singh Chouhan has won the Budhni assembly seat by more than 1 lakh votes. Now the challenge before BJP is that BJP should maintain this record. In such a situation, there are strong speculations about his son Kartikeya also contesting the elections. Whoever is the candidate on this seat, Shivraj Singh Chouhan's prestige will be at stake.
In such a situation, BJP can give ticket to a leader to capitalize on Shivraj Singh Chouhan's popularity so that the message goes among the public that Shivraj Singh Chouhan has not been neglected in ticket distribution. With Shivraj Singh Chouhan not in the fray, Congress is also busy finalizing its political strategy.
Will Ramakant step aside?
Ramakant Bhargava, a former Member of Parliament, is one of the frontrunners for the Budhni ticket. In the last parliamentary election, Bhargava was replaced by Shivraj Singh Chouhan in the Vidisha constituency, although he is a staunch supporter of Shivraj. As one of the top three contenders, there is growing speculation that Bhargava may step aside in favor of Kartikeya Singh Chouhan, Shivraj Singh Chouhan's son, who could potentially carry forward his father's political legacy.
Reports indicate that Bhargava has already expressed his willingness to support Kartikeya Singh within the BJP organization, signaling a readiness to avoid any internal conflict. While Bhargava's loyalty and seniority put him in a strong position, his decision to back Kartikeya would smooth the path for the young leader's entry into state politics. Still, other strong candidates like Guruprasad Sharma cannot be ignored, adding complexity to the final decision.
Central Leadership Holds the Key in Budhni
Despite Shivraj Singh Chouhan's influence in Budhni, the ultimate decision on the BJP's candidate rests with the party's central leadership. If Kartikeya Singh Chouhan is chosen, it could set a precedent for political dynasties in future elections. The BJP's high command must carefully consider the message this could send to both the state and national electorate, particularly regarding accusations of nepotism.
The party's central leadership will weigh these factors before finalizing the candidate for Budhni, as the decision will have broader implications beyond just the by-election. A victory for Kartikeya could further cement the Chouhan family's political stature, while a misstep could fuel criticism about dynastic politics within the BJP, a party that has traditionally distanced itself from such practices.
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