Madhya Pradesh's New CM: Who Is Mohan Yadav
Considered a surprise choice for the Chief Minister's post, Mohan Yadav has been a three-time MLA, securing victories in 2013, 2018, and most recently in 2023. His prominence stems from being a leader of the OBC (Other Backward Class), a significant demographic comprising over 48 per cent of Madhya Pradesh's population. In the previous government, Yadav served as the Higher Education Minister.
His political journey commenced in 1984 with his association with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), and over the years, he has become an influential leader associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
The BJP's decision to nominate Yadav reflects a continuation of its trend of entrusting OBC leaders with leadership responsibilities. Since 2003, when Uma Bharti became the Chief Minister, Madhya Pradesh has seen two more OBC CMs from the BJP — Babulal Gaur and Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
The BJP's victory in the November 17 assembly polls, securing 163 seats in the 230-member assembly, solidified its position in the state. The Congress, in contrast, trailed behind with 66 seats. It is notable that the BJP, in the lead-up to the polls, refrained from projecting a CM face, relying heavily on the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Notably, the ceremony witnessed Mohan Yadav was seen touching outgoing CM Shivraj Chouhan's feet and the latter blessed him, symbolising the unity within the party regarding the decision to change the leadership.
Mohan Yadav's political career commenced with his election as an MLA in 2013, a victory he repeated in the 2018 and 2023 Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly elections. His deep connection with the people and tireless efforts in fostering development have earned him the moniker of the "Development Man" in Ujjain. Mohan Yadav was a cabinet minister in the Madhya Pradesh Government headed by Shivraj Singh Chouhan. He has been associated with the BJP's student wing ABVP and party's ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Mohan Yadav comes from the OBC community, which accounts for 48 per cent of the Madhya Pradesh population. His elevation has been planned by the BJP keeping in mind the upcoming Lok Sabha elections where the saffron party will face a formidable challenge to secure a victory for the third straight term.
Mohan Yadav was Cabinet minister in state govt Earlier on July 2, 2020, Yadav took the oath as a Cabinet minister in the Madhya Pradesh government headed by Shivraj Singh Chouhan. He was serving as minister for higher education in the outgoing Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's cabinet. On Monday, BJP central observers Manohar Lal Khattar, Dr K Laxman and Asha Lakra of Madhya Pradesh held a legislative party meeting.
The BJP on Thursday announced the three central observers, which include Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar, K Laxman, National President, OBC Morcha and Aasha Lakda, National Secretary for the state. During the 2018 assembly polls, the Congress returned to power with veteran leader Kamal Nath taking the oath as the chief minister but a political upheaval rocked the state in 2020 after then-Congressman Jyotiraditya Scindia, along with 22 loyalist MLAs, switched over to the BJP camp.
After Mohan Yadav, the MLA from Ujjain South, secured the position of the leader of the state legislative party in a meeting held on Monday, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the incumbent Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, submitted his resignation to Governor Mangubhai Patel.
Following the conclusion of the meeting with the newly-elected MLAs, Chouhan reached Raj Bhavan to tender his resignation. The CM-designate Mohan Yadav subsequently met the Governor at Raj Bhavan in Bhopal to stake his claim to form the government.
Chouhan completed four terms as the CM of the state where the BJP registered a thumping victory in the assembly elections last week.
