Shivraj Singh Chouhan meets J P Nadda, but question of role in party up in the air

Chouhan, meanwhile, said his immediate task would be to participate in programmes related to the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, which has been initiated to make people aware of the Narendra Modi government’s welfare schemes in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls. Chouhan is viewed as the architect of the Ladli Behna Yojana, a scheme that many believe was a major factor in the BJP’s stunning victory in Madhya Pradesh in the recently concluded Assembly elections.

“My schedule for participation in the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra is being chalked out and I will go to southern states. I will do whatever the party wants me to do, be it at the state or central level,” he said. The former CM will be in Bhopal on Wednesday to participate in the first meeting of the BJP legislature party.

Party insiders, however, are tightlipped about the role Chouhan is likely to be assigned. A section of party leaders said the itinerary being chalked out was a sign that the former CM would extensively campaign for the BJP while being assigned key organisational work. However, the immediate assignment of south Indian states is likely to be a tough ask for a leader who is a native Hindi speaker.

“The last time he (Chouhan) lost chief ministership for 15 months, he was made convenor of the BJP’s membership drive and was also national vice-president. Some such possibilities should open soon as the party needs people with experience to ensure victory in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections,” a leader said.

The leader pointed out that as no Cabinet expansion was on the horizon — some ministers have been given additional charges after a few MPs resigned following victories in Assembly elections — there was a possibility of Chouhan being appointed the party’s election in-charge in one or two states.

Another leader said it was unlikely that the former MP CM would be fully ignored as he had accepted the central leadership’s decision to replace him without any “resistance” and did not give a single statement expressing displeasure. “None of the roles being talked about match a CM’s post, Chouhan seems to have taken things in his stride and, with age on his side, intends to make a fresh beginning,” he said.