Chauhan to take over as MP CM on Nov 29

      Bhopal: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Shivraj Singh Chauhan will be sworn in as Madhya Pradesh's next chief minister on November 29, party sources said. Chauhan is expected to arrive in Bhopal on Monday. A BJP Legislature Party meeting is expected to be held on November 29 at which Chauhan would be formally chosen as the party's leader in the state assembly in the presence of BJP General Secretary and Madhya Pradesh in-charge Arun Jaitley. At present, Chauhan is engaged is in a round of meetings with the BJP central leadership in Delhi on the composition of the state cabinet and discussions on various other issues. Sources also did not deny the likelihood of Uma Bharti-supporter ministers being axed from the cabinet.

    Meanwhile, Babulal Gaur has submitted his resignation as the chief minister of Madhya Pradesh to BJP party President LK Advani. In a faxed message to Advani, Gaur said he was stepping down in deference to the demand of the party leadership and its ideals. He also expressed his gratitude to Advani for his guidance and said that he would continue to serve the party as a committed worker. Gaur is expected to formally hand over his resignation to Madhya Pradesh Governor Balram Jakhar later today after he returns from Indore. Meanwhile, supporters of Chauhan are exulting and excited about the fact that their leader will head the next government in Madhya Pradesh. Several party workers beat drums and burst crackers on his Chauhan's selection. Bhupendra Chauhan, spokesman of the BJP in Madhya Pradesh, said the state would progress well under the young leadership. "This is a very historic decision in Madhya Pradesh and he is a young and dynamic leader. Madhya Pradesh will now prosper under the young leadership. We are very happy at this decision," he said expressing satisfaction over the 46-year old's appointment.

     The decision to appoint Chauhan as the state's next chief minister was taken by the BJP in the wake of a tussle for power between Gaur and Uma Bharti, with the latter wanting to be chief minister again. Bharti had had to step down as chief minister after a sessions court in Hubli, Karnataka, had issued non- bailable warrant of arrest against her last year in connection with flag hoisting case in the town's Idgah Maidan. Bharati was named as party's General Secretary. A sombre mood prevailed in Bharati's camp, as she was not named for the top post. "I would only say the party is going through a critical phase and we have to bear the brunt. At times even constitutional powers are also breached while taking some crucial decisions," said Prahlad Patel, a former minister and close aide of Bharati. Analysts say the row in the BJP was partly due to a clash of personalities, but it was indirectly linked to tensions between hard-line grassroots leaders like Bharti and moderates in the party's parliamentary wing. Hardliners want the BJP to return to its ideological roots as a champion of Hindu causes, including construction of a temple on the site of a razed mosque at Ayodhya in northern India. Moderates say the party needs to temper these instincts to win a broad electoral mandate. Party president Lal Krishna Advani, the former deputy prime minister, has tried to tread a fine line between the two wings.

BJP leader expresses confidence in Chauhan

    Indore: Former Union Minister Sumitra Mahajan has expressed confidence in Shivraj Singh Chauhan role as the new chief minister of Madhya Pradesh. "The parliamentary board has appointed Shivraj Singh Chauhan as the new Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister. In Madya Pradesh there was lot of choas and confusion regarding appointment of the new CM and we all were of view that decision should be taken soon whether it is to remove someone or to appoint someone". "Whatever decision the parliamentry board has taken we welcome it. Shivraj Chauhan is a young men and in that view he will work more and will work in coordination with everyone. Their was lot of indecisiveness and now finally the chaotic situation is over. Now, everyone will work for the growth of Madhya Pradesh," she added. She was pretty confident that Chauhan will take Madhya Pradesh to new heights. "All decisions are taken by the parliamentary board. They must have thought about it before taking the final decision. Shivraj Chauhan is a very intelligent and hard working man and he will definitely do his work well".