Curtains Down on 'Shiv-Raj' in MP After 18 Years But 'Bhai' & 'Mama' Here To Stay

Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s reign is over in Madhya Pradesh after 18 years, making him the longest-serving chief minister of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Days after his party replaced him with a new face as the CM following a landslide victory in recent state assembly elections, Chouhan updated his bio on X, formerly Twitter.

The former chief minister wrote “Bhai (brother)” and “Mama (uncle)” in his bio. Chouhan is popularly known as “Bhai” among lakhs of women in Madhya Prades for his women-centric schemes and “Mama” among youths, whom he refers to as his “bhanje” and “bhanjis” (nephews).

In a video released by Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s office earlier, some women were seen crying during their meeting with the former CM. “We elected you. We voted for you,” they said.

A woman said, “Hum aapko nahin choroenge (We will not leave you).”

To which, Chouhan said, “Mai bhi kahan jaa raha hoon. Mai bhi nahin chorunga. (I am not going anywhere. I will not leave you as well)”

Chouhan’s replacement Mohan Yadav took oath as the chief minister on Wednesday in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

‘Would Die… Won’t Go To Delhi’: Shivraj Chouhan Fuels Speculations on Political Future In Farewell Message

Earlier this week, Chouhan clarified his plans for the future, saying he will not be moving to Delhi for any new role in the BJP or the central government.

Chouhan, while addressing the media said, “Apne liye kuch maangne jaane se behtar, main marna samjhunga, Isiliye meine kaha tha main dilli nahi jaunga.”

Asked about his experience as the 4-term MP chief minister, Chouhan said he was happy and satisfied while leaving the office and nothing made him happier than the BJP coming into power with a thumping majority.

The BJP on Monday picked Mohan Yadav, a three-time MLA from temple town Ujjain as the new chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, once again reposing its faith in the numerically strong Other Backward Classes (OBC) and denying Chouhan a record fifth term in office.

More than a week after the BJP’s resounding victory in the assembly polls, the ruling outfit’s legislature wing elected Yadav (58), a minister in the Chouhan government and a prominent OBC leader, as its leader at a meeting held here in the presence of central observers, paving the way for him to take over as the next CM.