Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s clean image takes a hit

It was his “clean image” that many in the BJP had given credit for winning last two assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh. But the Vyapam scam has tarnished this very image of Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Speculation is rife that the BJP leadership is considering replacing him.

Chouhan, who got associated with the sangh parivar at the age of 13, had held many prominent positions in the ABVP and BJP state unit including that of the state unit chief. He had also spent time in jail during the Emergency. If late sangh parivar leader Kusabhau Thakre and former CM Sunderlal Patwa mentored Chouhan, his close proximity to late BJP leader Pramod Mahajan is said to be the reason behind his name being cleared to replace Babulal Gaur in 2005.

Before becoming CM, he represented Vidisha parliamentary constituency five times. He entered Parliament in 1991 after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who had won from both Lucknow and Vidisha parliamentary seats, vacated the latter as per the rules.

Chouhan had to face the onslaught of Modi’s supporters when L. K. Advani had suggested his name against Modi for the prime ministerial candidate. Once considered a ‘blue eyed boy’ of the RSS, Chouhan is currently not in their good books after names of some senior Sangh leaders cropped up in this scam.