Turncoats vs loyals: Shivraj Singh Chouhan struggles to strike a balance

After two and a half months of taking oath, Chouhan has many challenges before him. The first is to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic, which has affected more than 10,000 people in the state

In March, Shivraj Singh Chouhan took over as Madhya Pradesh chief minister for a record fourth time, snatching power from the Congress’ Kamal Nath within 15 months. Though Narottam Mishra, state home minister, was instrumental in dethroning Nath, Chouhan became the obvious chief ministerial choice for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the faction-ridden Madhya Pradesh.

Political compulsions were also in his favour. Also to win the by-elections to seats that have fallen vacant after the resignation of rebel Congress MLAs, Chouhan was better suited than other aspirants. The BJP has to win at least 15 of the 24 vacant