Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Union ministers S Jaishankar, Amit Shah, and Ashwani Vaishnav, gathered on Thursday morning at the Balayogi Auditorium in the Parliament House complex for a crucial Parliamentary party meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The meeting, the first of its kind during the current Winter Session, comes amid heightened suspense over the selection of Chief Ministers in three states – Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, where the party secured resounding victories in the recent Assembly polls.
The focus of the meeting was the deliberation on potential chief ministerial candidates who will lead the new cabinets for the upcoming five years in the aforementioned states. The BJP’s impressive performance in the recent polls, particularly in the Hindi heartland, has propelled them into the position of forming governments in key states, presenting the party with the significant responsibility of selecting capable leaders to helm these regions.
During the counting day for last month’s state assemblies’ polls, the BJP experienced a tsunami in the Hindi heartland, securing stunning mandates in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan. The overwhelming victories surprised both political rivals and some pollsters who had predicted close contests in these states.
In Madhya Pradesh, the BJP secured 163 seats, delivering a decisive blow to the Congress, which trailed far behind with 66 seats. In Rajasthan, contrary to some predictions, the BJP emerged victorious with 115 seats, leaving the Congress with 69 seats. The BJP also claimed a dominant victory in Chhattisgarh, securing 54 out of the 90 assembly constituencies, while the Congress won 35 seats.
The election results have significantly altered the political landscape in the Hindi heartland, dealing a considerable setback to the Congress party’s aspirations for the 2024 elections. The BJP’s success, breaking nearly two decades of incumbency, has positioned the party at the forefront of governance in these states.
As the BJP leadership strategizes for the future, the selection of Chief Ministers will be crucial in shaping the trajectory of these states over the next five years. The parliamentary meeting serves as a key platform for discussions and decisions that will define the BJP’s leadership in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, marking a pivotal moment in the party’s political journey.
