Shivraj Singh Chouhan (born 1959)

Shivraj Singh Chouhan is a prominent Indian politician and member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He served as the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh from 2005 to 2018 and again from 2020 to present. Born on March 5, 1959, in Jait, a small village in Madhya Pradesh, Chouhan's early life was humble and he was raised in a traditional Indian joint family.

Education and Early Career

Chouhan completed his primary education in his hometown and later moved to Bhopal to pursue higher studies. He obtained a Bachelor's degree in Arts from Barkatullah University, Bhopal, and a Master's degree in Philosophy from the same university. During his college days, Chouhan was an active member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a right-wing Hindu nationalist organization.

After completing his education, Chouhan started his political career as a worker for the BJP's youth wing. He gradually climbed the ranks in the party and became the President of the BJP's Madhya Pradesh unit in 2005.

Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh

In 2005, Chouhan was appointed as the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, replacing Babulal Gaur. He went on to win three consecutive terms as the Chief Minister of the state in 2008, 2013, and 2018.

During his tenure as the Chief Minister, Chouhan implemented several initiatives aimed at the development of the state. He launched several schemes such as the Mukhyamantri Teerth-Darshan Yojana, which provided subsidized travel to senior citizens to visit religious places across India. Chouhan also implemented the Ladli Laxmi Yojana, a scheme aimed at improving the status of the girl child in the state.

Under Chouhan's leadership, Madhya Pradesh became the first state in India to have a Happiness Department, which was established to measure the well-being of citizens and formulate policies to improve their happiness index. Chouhan also focused on developing the state's infrastructure, with a particular emphasis on building roads and improving connectivity.

Personal Life

Chouhan is married to Sadhna Singh and has two sons, Kartikey Chouhan and Kunal Chouhan. His elder son, Kartikey, is an engineer, while his younger son, Kunal, is a businessman.

Controversies

Chouhan has faced several controversies during his political career. In 2017, the Vyapam scam, a massive admission and recruitment scam involving government officials and politicians, came to light. Several politicians and bureaucrats were arrested in connection with the scam, and Chouhan was criticized for not taking enough action to prevent the fraud.

In 2018, a farmer protest in Madhya Pradesh turned violent, leading to the death of six farmers in police firing. Chouhan was criticized for his handling of the situation, and the incident led to a massive public outcry.

Conclusion

Shivraj Singh Chouhan is a prominent Indian politician and a senior leader of the BJP. He has served as the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh for several terms and has implemented several initiatives aimed at the development of the state. Chouhan's personal life has been largely private, and he has faced several controversies during his political career. However, he remains a popular leader in his home state of Madhya Pradesh and continues to be an influential figure in Indian politics.