Former Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s twin remarks fuel buzz of rift within State BJP unit

Two statements from former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday — one a sharp rebuke and the other a soft political reminder — were enough to heat up the State’s politics and fuel speculation that all may not be well within the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The latest row hints at mounting pressure on Chief Minister Mohan Yadav amid reports of differences between him and other senior party leaders, including Cabinet Ministers and State BJP president Hemant Khandelwal.

Mr. Chouhan, now Union Agriculture Minister, sharply criticised the State government over the demolition of houses of 12 tribal families and destruction of their crops at Kosmi village in Vidisha, his Lok Sabha constituency. The remarks are being seen as a message of his discontent with his successor’s administration. The eviction drive, carried out on grounds of alleged encroachment on forest land, was undertaken despite Mr. Chouhan having intervened in the matter on Sunday morning.

However, another statement made by him at an event in neighbouring Raisen district on the same day may hold greater political relevance. It centred on women, who form a large part of his personal support base as well as the BJP’s voter base, and is being seen as a direct response to Mr. Yadav’s recent comments on the BJP’s flagship Ladli Behna scheme, which provides a monthly allowance of ₹1,500 to eligible women.

Referring to the scheme that he launched in his final year as Chief Minister in 2023, Mr. Chouhan said, “The Chief Minister has continued this scheme and every government will have to keep it going. Sabko pata hai ki behenein gussa ho gayi toh phir khair nahi hai [Everybody knows that if sisters get angry, you are done for].”

He then sought a response from the women in the gathering on how much they wanted the allowance to be raised. “Yes, ₹3,000. It will increase gradually. Brothers, don’t be troubled, let the sisters move ahead. This is a campaign to change lives. Thanks to the Chief Minister too,” he said, in his familiar style of engaging with supporters. The remarks came a week after Mr. Yadav had said in jest at an event on October 4 that the scheme had proved to be a “very expensive affair”.

Mr. Chouhan has often intervened in matters concerning tribal people and women in the past.