Will Shivraj Singh Chouhan Be Next BJP President? 45-Minute Meet With RSS Chief Sparks Speculation

Last Updated:August 25, 2025, 15:55 IST

The meeting between Chouhan and Mohan Bhagwat was a one-to-one meeting, say sources, which took place at Sangh's Delhi Headquarters in Jhandewalan in Keshav Kunj on Sunday.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. (Image: PTI File)

After a long spell of two years, on Sunday evening, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan met Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak or its chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday evening. The meeting went on for forty five minutes, say sources. It was a one-to-one meeting, add sources, which took place at Sangh’s Delhi Headquarters in Jhandewalan in Keshav Kunj.

Prior to this meeting with Bhagwat, Chouhan was at a public event at Bharat Mandapam where he shared the stage with his cabinet colleague Gajendra Shekhawat. His meeting with the RSS Chief was behind closed doors after which he left for Madhya Pradesh. On Monday, Chouhan was at IISER.

Ever since Sunday’s meeting with Bhagwat, Chouhan’s name has re-emerged as the front-runner for the post of BJP’s President. He has been among the longest-serving Chief Ministers in India, having governed Madhya Pradesh for over 16 years. His tenure gave the BJP a stable base in the Hindi heartland, comparable to Narendra Modi in Gujarat. Though an OBC leader, his ability to appeal across caste lines helped neutralise Congress’s traditional advantage among certain communities.

The Vice Presidential Election is scheduled to take place on September 9 and the BJP Presidential Election is expected soon after that.

Why Shivraj Singh Chouhan?

Shivraj Singh Chouhan has been one of the most prominent faces of the BJP for over three decades, shaping the party’s fortunes in Madhya Pradesh and contributing significantly to its national stature. Beginning his political journey as a member of the RSS and later the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, Chouhan entered mainstream politics in the early 1990s and quickly rose through the ranks. His appointment as Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh in 2005 marked the start of a transformative era for the state under BJP rule.

During his 16-year tenure, Chouhan focused on inclusive development, particularly in rural and agrarian sectors. His flagship “Ladli Laxmi Yojana" earned national recognition for promoting girl child welfare, while schemes like “Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana" aimed to stabilise farmers’ incomes. Infrastructure development, electricity reforms, and improved road connectivity under his leadership were credited with turning Madhya Pradesh from a BIMARU state into one of India’s fastest-growing economies.

Politically, Chouhan’s ability to connect across caste and community lines helped the BJP maintain a stronghold in the Hindi heartland, winning three consecutive assembly elections. His mix of grassroots appeal, administrative acumen, and organisational skills continues to make him a vital asset for the party.

Other Frontrunners

Earlier reports have indicated that there could be a possibility of the next BJP president coming from the south of the Vindhyas. The name of Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy, who was also the BJP president of Andhra Pradesh, had been doing the rounds. Incidentally, he comes from the state that produced Bangaru Laxman, who went ahead and became BJP’s national President.

Another name that has been doing the rounds from the south also happens to be from Andhra Pradesh — Daggubati Purandeshwari, currently the BJP chief in the NDA ruled state. Though she is a woman and has the legacy of NT Rama Rao, what may go against her is being a relative of TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu — to avoid a conflict of interest. Vanathi Srinivasan, national president of the BJP Mahila Morcha and MLA from Coimbatore, is also being talked about.

However, from the beginning of last year, the names of Dharmendra Pradhan, Vinod Tawde, and Bhupendra Yadav have also continuously figured in the probables for their organisational capability and teamwork mindset.

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