The BJP took a step forward to select the Chief Ministers for Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh where they recently won Assembly elections, by appointing central observers to elect the leaders of the respective legislature parties.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was appointed observer for Rajasthan, to be assisted by Rajya Sabha MP Saroj Pande and BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar was appointed central observer for Madhya Pradesh, along with Rajya Sabha MP and BJP’s OBC cell in-charge K. Laxman, and national secretary Asha Lakra. For Chhattisgarh, the BJP appointed Union Minister for Agriculture and Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda as observer, along with Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and BJP general secretary Dushyant Kumar Gautam.
Sources in the BJP said the legislature party meetings will take place over the weekend and the swearing-in ceremonies of the CMs by December 11.
The BJP faces a dilemma in each of these States. In Rajasthan, it has to decide whether to repeat former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje or go with a new face, while in Madhya Pradesh, the party has to choose between Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and a new candidate. In Chhattisgarh, the choice is between an OBC candidate and one from a tribal community. Interestingly, two of three observers sent to Chhattisgarh hail from tribal communities.
“Whatever the choice, Prime Minister Modi has expressed his keenness to appoint at least one woman Chief Minister looking at the support of women to the BJP,” said a source.
Results of the Assembly polls came out on December 3 with the BJP brushing off a challenge from the Congress in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan – a big boost to the party ahead of the general election of 2024.
