Madhya Pradesh Elections 2023: Shivraj Singh Chouhan & Prahlad Patel Leading the Pack

In the aftermath of the clear mandate for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly elections, a splendid victory has been secured. With this triumph, attention now turns to the race for the Chief Ministerial post, with two prominent names emerging at the forefront—Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Prahlad Patel.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan, a seasoned leader in Madhya Pradesh politics, has been at the helm of the state for quite some time. The question now arises whether Chouhan will continue as the Chief Minister or if the reins will be handed over to Prahlad Patel, who secured victory in the Vidhan Sabha elections in Narsinghpur.

Since the release of exit polls, a series of meetings and discussions have unfolded. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan met with BJP's National President, JP Nadda, in Gwalior, while Jyotiraditya Scindia became active and directly visited the Chief Minister's residence after the election results. There, he held discussions with Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Simultaneously, meetings of senior leaders have commenced, adding intrigue to the unfolding political scenario.

Strong Contender: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

In the Assembly elections, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has been actively campaigning, conducting over 160 rallies to bolster the party's candidacy. When questioned on stage about whether he should become Chief Minister again, the response triggered discussions among senior party leaders about his plans. Despite this, the uncertainty surrounding his candidacy persists, opening up conversations about other potential contenders.

Prahlad Singh Patel in the Running

One of the most talked-about names in the race for the Chief Ministerial post is Central Minister Prahlad Singh Patel. Following Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Patel is among the prominent faces of the BJP's Other Backward Classes (OBC) category in Madhya Pradesh. With more than 50% OBC population in the state, a change in the party's face here could strengthen their claim. Prahlad Patel also brings extensive organizational experience to the table. Apart from Uma Bharti and Shivraj Singh, Prahlad Singh Patel is a leader with deep roots in the Lodhi community. In addition, he is a favored leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Looking ahead, if Shivraj Singh Chouhan does not secure the Chief Ministerial position, Prahlad Patel seems poised to become a strong contender in the race for the top post. The unfolding political drama in Madhya Pradesh continues to captivate the attention of observers and political enthusiasts alike.