Episode 88 - Congress Split, state elections, I.N.D.I.A Alliance & much more with Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Shivraj Singh Chouhan is the 19th chief minister of Madhya Pradesh and also has the distinction of longest serving chief minister of the state. Chouhan started his political career as an MLA after he was elected to Madhya Pradesh state assembly from Budhni Constituency in 1990. However, he was elected to Lok Sabha and represented Vidisha constituency in the lower house of parliament till 2005. He became chief minister of the state for the first time in 2005, replacing Babulal Gaur, after which there was no looking back. Chouhan has earned the title of ‘Mama’ among his supporters for his populist schemes for women of state, which include MP Kanya Vivah Yojana, Mukhyamantri Laadli Lakshmi Yojana. Taking another step in that direction, Chouhan has now launched 'Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana' to provide financial assistance to every woman in Madhya Pradesh, which is touted to strengthen BJP's poll prospects in upcoming elections. In this edition of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash recorded in the city of Bhopal, Shivraj Singh Chouhan speaks about the transformation of Madhya Pradesh from one of the Bimaru states to one of the leading states in the country. He also talks about his special focus on empowering women in the state through self-help groups, populist schemes and government assistance. He also talks about the Congress split in Madhya Pradesh and the reasons behind Jyotiraditya Scindia switching sides to BJP. He also accuses Congress leader Kamal Nath of corruption and terms Rahul Gandhi as an immature leader. He also calls out the newly formed opposition’s I.N.D.I.A alliance as an act of opportunism by parties in opposition.