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Shivraj Singh Chouhan: A CM isolated by his own party

Despite 17 years in power, Chouhan was never a mass leader and used the treasury to build an image for himself in complete contrast with his own persona.

Published

3 years ago

on

Shivraj Singh Chauhan

By Neeraj Mishra

It has been understood for long that in Rajasthan, Vasundhara Raje Scindia has been an eyesore for the Modi-Shah combine but their absolute disdain for Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Madhya Pradesh has come as a surprise for many.

Chouhan, on his part, has always made a great show of laying the red carpet for PM Modi, whether presenting him with those cheetahs from South Africa on his birthday or copying his Banaras corridor in Ujjain, he has consciously sucked up to the party boss.

What has happened so far is that after an internal assessment, the party bosses has realised that there is a severe anti-incumbency factor against Chouhan and it would be best to get rid of him to save the party. Though this had been in the making since January this year and the Jyotiraditya Scindia camp had been making suitable noises, Chouhan survived through some clever manoeuvres with Nagpur. He also roped in the combined strength of Narendra Tomar, Kailash Vijayvargiya and Prahlad Patel, who were convinced that an outsider like Scindia had to be stopped.

Three months before the elections, however, Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah played a more clever game. They pushed all the aspirants for the CM’s post into the fray so now the BJP has at least half a dozen future BJP chief ministers fighting to win. Apart from Scindia, Tomar, Chouhan, Vijayvargiya and Patel, there is Narottam Mishra and eight-time MLA Gopal Bhargav. The thinking at the top is that each of them has to win in their own bastions and also ensure their region returns the most BJP MLAs.

So where does that leave Chouhan? After being completely sidelined by Modi at all public meetings since September, when the PM even refused to acknowledge his presence on stage, Shivraj has uncharacteristically started making all the noise for himself in his public meetings. He started asking the crowds whether they want to see him back as CM. This has further strained relations within the party.

What most people forget that Chouhan despite 17 years in power was never a mass leader and he used all treasury resources to build an image for himself which is in complete contrast to his own persona. He was always a party worker who tagged along with former chief minister Sunderlal Patwa and RSS strongman Kushabhau Thakre. He was promoted by them for his immense ability to bend as desired. His malleability and political opportunism combined with great luck brought him to the chief minister’s chair without much effort.

Though a four-term Chief Minister, he actually won an election only once on his own. He lost the 2003 elections from Raghogarh but was brave enough to take on the sitting chief minister Digvijaya Singh. Uma Bharati led the BJP to a massive decimation of the Congress but as things turned out, Chouhan became chief minister by 2006 after 2.5 years. He then cleverly worked his way into Congress folds and bluffed then PCC president Suresh Pachauri, another baseless political climber, into sleepwalking in 2008 thinking victory was around the corner. Pachauri is till date accused of striking a deal with Chouhan and his political career never recovered after that loss.

The only election Chouhan won was in 2013 by which time the Congress was in massive disarray and Modi had appeared on the scene by September that year. That carried Chouhan and the BJP through in November 2013, six months ahead of national elections. He went on to lose in 2018 to the Kamal Nath-led Congress but returned to power 15 months later riding on the back of Scindia’s betrayal.  It is believed that he financed the betrayal of 22 MLAs and each was paid Rs 30 crore as revealed by Kamal Nath himself in an interview to Aaj Tak. So, in effect, Chouhan has been the luckiest political leader in modern India.

This is now understood by the Modi-Shah combine. They also realise that out of power, Chouhan has little standing within or without the party. Chouhan will also have too many court cases and corruption allegations to answer once out of his seat. It is unlikely that Kamal Nath, if he wins, will do it but at some point luck always runs out, even if it is 17 years later. That point may be now in Chouhan’s life.

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Vijay removes astrologer from OSD post after political backlash

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has withdrawn the appointment of his astrologer as Officer on Special Duty following widespread political backlash.

Published

59 mins ago

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May 13, 2026

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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has removed his astrologer from the post of Officer on Special Duty (OSD) following strong political criticism over the controversial appointment.

The move comes just days after Vijay appointed his astrologer, Radhan Pandit Vettrivel, to a key position in the Chief Minister’s Office. The decision had triggered immediate backlash from political allies and opposition leaders, who questioned the relevance and appropriateness of appointing an astrologer to an official government post.

According to the report, the appointment drew criticism over concerns related to governance practices and the role of non-administrative figures in official decision-making. Several leaders argued that such a move could send the wrong message in a constitutional framework that emphasizes scientific temper in public administration.

Facing mounting pressure, Vijay has now decided to withdraw the appointment, marking a quick reversal in a politically sensitive matter that had already sparked debate across Tamil Nadu’s political circles.

The astrologer, who was previously seen as a close aide and had reportedly predicted Vijay’s electoral success, had been made OSD shortly after the formation of the government. However, the decision quickly became a point of controversy, forcing the administration to reconsider.

The development highlights the growing scrutiny around key appointments made by the new government and the political challenges facing Vijay in his early tenure as Chief Minister.

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Vijay wins floor test with 144 votes, secures power amid AIADMK split in Tamil Nadu

Vijay secures a decisive floor test victory in Tamil Nadu with 144 votes amid AIADMK split and opposition abstentions.

Published

2 hours ago

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May 13, 2026

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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader C. Joseph Vijay has won a crucial vote of confidence in the state Assembly, securing 144 votes and comfortably crossing the majority mark. The result confirms the stability of his government following a politically charged floor test marked by shifting loyalties and opposition abstentions.

DMK walkout and aiadmk abstention shape vote dynamics

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) walked out of the Assembly ahead of the vote with its 59 MLAs, while the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), led by Edappadi K. Palaniswami, abstained from voting with its 47 MLAs.

This absence from two major opposition blocs significantly influenced the final numbers in the confidence motion.

144 votes secure majority for tvk government

Vijay’s government received support from 144 lawmakers in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, comfortably above the required majority mark. Only 22 members voted against the motion, while five MLAs chose to abstain.

The outcome ensures that the TVK-led government retains power, at least for now, in a politically fragmented Assembly.

25 aiadmk mlas break ranks to support vijay

A major political development emerged during the voting, with 25 AIADMK MLAs defying party leadership and voting in favour of Vijay’s government. This internal rebellion highlights a widening rift within the AIADMK and raises questions about its future cohesion under Palaniswami’s leadership.

The split has added a new dimension to Tamil Nadu politics, where cross-voting played a decisive role in shaping the final result.

Vijay calls victory a mandate for change

After the results were announced, Vijay described the outcome as a turning point, stating that his party symbol had “changed history.” He indicated that the TVK government would function as a minority administration focused on safeguarding the rights of all sections of society.

Political implications of a fractured opposition

While the floor test has secured Vijay’s position as chief minister, the deeper political story lies in the fragmentation of the opposition, particularly within the AIADMK. The emergence of rebel MLAs supporting TVK signals potential long-term realignments in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.

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Vijay appoints astrologer Radhan Pandit as OSD, sparks criticism from allies

Published

19 hours ago

on

May 12, 2026

By

Actor vijay

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has appointed astrologer and TVK spokesperson Radhan Pandit Vettrivel as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Chief Minister, a move that has sparked criticism from allies and opposition leaders.

Radhan Pandit, who had publicly predicted a major electoral victory for Vijay and the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, has been considered a close aide of the Chief Minister during the party’s election campaign.

The appointment drew sharp reactions from leaders within the Congress and Left parties. Congress MP Sasikanth Senthil questioned the decision in a post on X, asking why an astrologer required an OSD position in government.

Leaders from the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and CPI(M) also criticised the move, arguing that such appointments go against the principles of scientific temper and secular governance.

According to reports, Radhan Pandit was among the first people to visit Vijay’s residence after TVK’s strong performance in the assembly elections. He has also been associated with the party as a spokesperson and political commentator.

The controversy comes amid rapid political developments in Tamil Nadu following the formation of the new TVK-led government.

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