Shivraj Singh Chouhan, born on March 5, 1959, is a prominent Indian politician and current MP from Vidisha , Madya Pradesh who is serving as the 32nd Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and 23rd Minister of Rural Development since 11 June 2024 under Modi 3.0 cabinet . He belongs to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He held the position of Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, a role he served in between 2020-2024, with a prior term from 2005 to 2018. He has been representing the Budhni constituency in the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly since 2006, and he also previously held this position from 1990 to 1991, showcasing his enduring commitment to public service.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan Personal Life
| Full Name | Shivraj Singh Chouhan |
| Date of Birth | 05 Mar 1959 (Age 65) |
| Place of Birth | Sehore, Madhya Pradesh |
| Party Name | Bharatiya Janta Party |
| Education | Post Graduate |
| Profession | Agriculturist |
| Father’s Name | Prem Singh Chouhan |
| Mother’s Name | Sundar Bai Chouhan |
| Religion | Hindu |
| Website | http://www.shivrajsinghchouhan.org/ |
Chouhan’s political journey extends beyond the state level; he was the National Vice President of the Bharatiya Janata Party from 2019 to 2020 and has been an integral part of key party bodies such as the Parliamentary Board and the Central Election Committee. Notably, he was the National President of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha from 2000 to 2002. Furthermore, he served as a Member of the Lok Sabha, representing the Vidisha constituency, from 1991 to 2005. Chouhan’s dedication to the BJP is evident through his roles as the General Secretary and President of the Madhya Pradesh state unit.
Chouhan’s political journey is rooted in his early association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which began in 1972 when he was just 13 years old.
One of the hallmarks of Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s tenure as Chief Minister has been the introduction of several groundbreaking welfare schemes. These initiatives include offering rice at the nominal rate of Rs 1 per kilogram to support impoverished citizens, the Sambal scheme designed to provide maternity assistance to female labourers, free education for underprivileged girls, a fixed-rate electricity program, and initiatives like Ladli Laxmi Yojana and Beti Bachao Abhiyan. These welfare schemes have played a pivotal role in the BJP’s electoral success in the 2008 and 2013 assembly elections.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s Early Life and Education
Shivraj Singh Chouhan hails from the Kirar community and was born in the picturesque Jait village of Sehore district. His parents, Prem Singh Chouhan and Sundar Bai Chouhan played a significant role in shaping his life. Chouhan is not only a prominent political figure but also an accomplished academic.
He holds a gold medal in M.A. Philosophy from Barkatullah University in Bhopal, a testament to his dedication and commitment to academic excellence. In addition to his academic achievements, he is an accomplished agriculturist, reflecting his deep-rooted connection to his homeland and its agrarian traditions.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan: Early Political Career
In his formative years in politics, our subject’s trajectory extended up to his inaugural election to the Lok Sabha. His political involvement commenced in 1975 when he secured the esteemed position of President within the Model School Students Union. A defining chapter in his early career unfolded during 1976-1977 when he actively partook in an underground movement against the Emergency, leading to a period of incarceration in Bhopal Jail.
Furthermore, during this foundational phase, he also assumed vital roles as follows:
- Convened Akhil Bhartiya Keshariya Vahini from 1991 to 1992.
- Served as a Member of the Committee on Labour and Welfare from 1993 to 1996.
- Played a pivotal role as a Member of the Hindi Salahkar Samiti from 1994 to 2000.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan: Political Career
Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s remarkable political career commenced in 1990 when he was first elected to the Madhya Pradesh State Assembly, representing the Budhni Constituency. His dedication and commitment to public service led him to the national stage when, just a year later, he was elected as a Member of Parliament for the 10th Lok Sabha, representing the Vidisha Constituency.
In 1996, Chouhan’s popularity and effectiveness in governance were evident as he secured a second term in the 11th Lok Sabha. During this term, he served as a Member of the Committee on Urban and Rural Development and a Member of the Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Human Resources Development. His involvement in these key roles showcased his expertise and commitment to development issues.
Chouhan’s journey continued in 1997 when he became the General Secretary of the BJP in Madhya Pradesh. His leadership and dedication were further highlighted when he was re-elected to the 12th Lok Sabha in 1998, serving as a Member of the Committee on Urban and Rural Development and its Sub-Committee on the Ministry of Rural Areas and Employment.
In 1999, Shivraj Singh Chouhan embarked on his fourth term in the 13th Lok Sabha. His tenure included membership on the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Public Undertakings. Furthermore, he assumed the role of National President of Bhartiya Janta Yuva Morcha, further cementing his position as a dynamic and influential leader.
The year 2003 witnessed a sweeping victory for the BJP in Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections. During this period, Chouhan contested elections against the incumbent Chief Minister, Digvijaya Singh, from Raghogarh, demonstrating his political prowess and determination.
Chouhan’s extensive political journey continued with his election to the 14th Lok Sabha in 2004 for a fifth term, winning by a substantial margin of over 260,000 votes. His responsibilities included membership in the Committee on Agriculture, the Joint Committee on Offices of Profit, and holding positions as National General Secretary of BJP, Secretary of the Parliamentary Board, and Secretary of the Central Election Committee. He also chaired the Housing Committee of the Lok Sabha and served as a member of the Committee on Ethics.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan: Chief Minister for Madhya Pradesh
Shivraj Singh Chouhan, a prominent political figure, has had a notable journey in Madhya Pradesh’s political landscape. He assumed the position of Chief Minister on November 30, 2005, after being selected as the state BJP President. Notably, he secured his re-election in the Budhni assembly constituency the following year, with a substantial lead of over 36,000 votes.
In 2008, Chouhan once again emerged victorious in the Budhni constituency, this time with a staggering margin of over 41,000 votes. Under his leadership, the BJP secured a second consecutive triumph in the state’s elections. Consequently, on December 12, 2008, he was sworn in for his second term as Chief Minister.
Chouhan’s electoral success continued as he triumphed in the Legislative Assembly elections from Budhni in 2013 with an impressive margin of 84,805 votes over his Congress opponent. This victory led to his appointment as Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh for a third term.
However, in the wake of the 2018 Madhya Pradesh assembly election, Chouhan faced a setback when he failed to secure a majority. Consequently, he resigned as Chief Minister on December 12, 2018. His political journey took a dramatic turn when he was once again sworn in as the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh on March 23, 2020, following the resignation of 22 Congress MLAs, including Jyotiraditya Scindia, which ultimately led to the collapse of the Kamal Nath government.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan: Awards and Recognitions
- 2011 NDTV Indian of the Year Award: Honoured as the ‘Leader of New India’ in the category of development.
- 2016 Suryoday Manavta Seva Samman Award: Acknowledged with this prestigious award for outstanding humanitarian service.
- Champions of Change Award 2022: Received the Champions of Change award in the year 2022.
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