Shivraj Singh Chouhan's remarks spark talk of internal rift in Madhya Pradesh BJP

UPDATE - follow-up to Former Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan's twin remarks fuel buzz of rift within State BJP unit: Two statements made by Union Agriculture Minister and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on October 11, 2026, have intensified political buzz regarding an internal rift within the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in the State. The remarks have placed mounting pressure on Chief Minister Mohan Yadav amid ongoing reports of differences between him and other senior party leaders, including State BJP president Hemant Khandelwal and various Cabinet Ministers.

The Incidents

Mr. Chouhan sharply criticised the State government over the demolition of houses belonging to 12 tribal families and the destruction of their crops in Kosmi village, located within his Vidisha Lok Sabha constituency. The eviction drive on forest land went ahead despite his morning intervention, prompting unusually harsh words from him toward Forest Department officials, a department headed by Mr. Yadav himself. A day after Mr. Chouhan joined the sit-in protest with the tribals, his son Kartikeya Singh Chouhan also spent hours with them. Later that day in Raisen district, Mr. Chouhan addressed the party's flagship Ladli Behna scheme, which provides a monthly allowance of ₹1,500 to eligible women. Referring to the scheme he launched in 2023, he warned that if women get angry, the government is done for, and asked the crowd if they wanted the allowance raised to ₹3,000, adding that it will increase gradually. This followed Mr. Yadav's remarks on October 4 calling the scheme an expensive affair.

Reactions and Political Analysis

BJP insiders view the timing and varied tone of Mr. Chouhan's statements as a calculated move to back rising resentment against Mr. Yadav and signal his concerns to the party leadership. Senior journalist Rashid Kidwai noted that the former Chief Minister aims to protect his legacy as 'Mama' while remaining relevant in State politics. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Yadav defended his administration by stating that an inquiry would be ordered into the Kosmi incident to bring out the truth. Opposition Congress State unit chief Jitu Patwari slammed the demolition, alleging it exposed an open conflict and power tussle between BJP leaders.

Context

Internal party friction in ruling political formations often surfaces when a newly appointed leader takes charge while powerful regional heavyweights and former chief ministers retain strong grassroots followings. Welfare schemes directed at women and tribal communities remain major focal points for political mobilization and voter loyalty across rural constituencies in central India.