Mohan Yadav: In a surprising turn of events during a legislative meeting in Madhya Pradesh, amidst the looming presence of Shivraj Chouhan, Prahlad Patel, and Narendra Tomar as stalwarts in the race for Chief Minister, Mohan Yadav’s name was announced following the caucus.
The real curiosity arises: how did the consensus pivot towards Mohan Yadav amidst such established contenders? Why is making Mohan Yadav the Chief Minister considered Narendra Modi’s masterstroke for 2024? Let’s delve into these inquiries.
Unraveling the Consensus on Mohan Yadav
During the legislative caucus, when an MLA sitting silently in the fourth row, seemingly not involved in the race, emerged as a contender for CM, it surprised everyone. Yet, this script of astonishment wasn’t spontaneous; it was prewritten. The top leadership of the BJP had already settled on Mohan Yadav’s name. However, until the announcement of the new CM, only a few party members, aside from select leaders, were aware of this move.
Legislative Meeting’s Scheduled Agenda
The program for the legislative caucus had been predetermined. Everything unfolded as planned. Around 2 PM on Monday, party overseers arrived in Bhopal. By approximately 4 PM, the legislative meeting commenced. Haryana’s Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar, hinted at impending changes right from the start of his opening speech. He stated, “One must fulfill the responsibilities entrusted by the party. The party’s role changes over time, and every activist must adapt to its changing role.” Although this hinted at changes, the identity of the future CM remained unclear. Meanwhile, Shivraj Singh Chouhan suddenly proposed Mohan Yadav as the next Chief Minister.
Potential Impact in the Lok Sabha Elections
It was conventionally believed in Madhya Pradesh that if Shivraj were replaced, an OBC (Other Backward Classes) candidate would be chosen for Chief Minister. However, the BJP didn’t just choose a face from the OBC, but rather selected someone from the Yadav community. This move could impact elections across states—from Madhya Pradesh to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, and Rajasthan. Moreover, this maneuver by the BJP might heighten tensions among opposition parties.
Anticipated Effects on 149 Lok Sabha Seats
Mohan Yadav hails from the OBC community, constituting nearly 49% of all voters across social strata. According to reports, in over 20 districts of Madhya Pradesh, OBC voters exceed 50%. Attempts have been made by the BJP not just in Madhya Pradesh but also in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to sway OBC voters. With a combined total of 149 Lok Sabha seats across these three states, Yadav voters could be a pivotal factor.
Diverse Social Equations Beyond OBCs
Alongside appointing a CM from the OBC community, the BJP has endeavored to balance other caste equations. The party has appointed two Deputy CMs in Madhya Pradesh—Jagdish Devda and Rajendra Shukla. While Jagdish Devda represents the Scheduled Caste, Rajendra Shukla hails from the Brahmin community. Additionally, the responsibility of the Speaker has been handed to Narendra Singh Tomar, belonging to the Kshatriya community. This strategic move aims to consolidate support from OBCs, Scheduled Castes, Kshatriyas, and Brahmins.