Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan brings three decades of political experience and a progressive vision to the leadership of Madhya Pradesh

Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh on November 29, 2005. A member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shri Chouhan (46) is one of the youngest persons to have assumed the CM’s post in the state.

His tenure as chief minister has been marked by a series of progressive steps all aimed at the rapid development of the state. His priorities are clear: build world-class infrastructure, create an environment where the corporate sector can thrive and make it simpler for investments to pour into the state.

Some of his government’s initiatives include: radical changes in the power policy, completing existing power projects ahead of schedule, building 40000 km of roads by the end of the BJP government’s term, and plans for a ‘single-table system’ to clear investment proposals.

A youth leader of standing, Shri Chouhan has considerable experience having spent three decades in national and local politics. Born on March 5, 1959 in a farmer’s family in Village Sait in Jehore district, he had an early start in his political career when he became the President of the Model Higher Secondary School Students’ Union in 1975. He was an active participant in the underground struggle against the Emergency and was imprisoned in the Bhopal Jail in 1976-77. He has also led poli9tical agitatios on several other occasions to find solutions to people’s problems.

Shri Chouhan has been a volunteer of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) since 197.

He was appointed Organising Sectretary of the Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in 1977-78 and was Joint Secretary of the ABVP in 1978-80. He was General Secretary of the student’s organization from 1980 to 1983 and member of its National Executive from 1982 to 1983. He was also Joint Secretary of the Bharatiya Janta Yuva Morcha from 1984 to 1985, its General Secretary, Madhya Pradesh from 1985 to 1988 and President, Madhya Pradesh from 1988 to 1991.

Shri Chouhan was elected to the state assembly from Budni Constituency in 1990-91. Subsequently, he stood as a candidate for the parliamentary constituency of Vidishi in 1991-92 and was elected MP in the 10 th Lok Sabha. He was General Secretary of the Madhya Pradesh BJP form 1992 to 1994, Member of Consultative Committee, Ministry of Human Resources Development, from 1992 to 1996, Member of the Committee on Labour and Welfare from 1993 to 1996 and of the Hindo Salahkar Samiti from 1994 to 1996.

Shri Chouhan was also elected as MP in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2004. In the 14 th Lok Sabha (2004), he was the Member of the Committee on Agriculture, Member of the Joint Committee on Offices of Profit, National General Secretary of the BJP, Secretary, Central Election Committee. He also headed the Housing Committee of the Lok Sabha and was Member, Committee of Ethics.

Because of his skills as an administrator and organizer, Shri Chouhan played an important role in ensuring the BJP’s victory in the 2003 assembly elections. He was elected president of the BJP’s Madhya Pradesh Unit in 2005.

Shri Chouhan is a keen organizer of religious and cultural activities and seminars. He has arranged marriages for poor and orphaned girls.

He has also been engaged in activities for the uplift of scheduled castes, struggle against injustice, development of slums and promoting social harmony.

A farmer by profession, Shri Chouhan interests included music, spiritual literature and debating with friends. Among his favourite pastimes are sightseeing, lestening to sons and watching movies.

In sports, he like kabaddi, cricket and volleyball and is also associated with various sports institutions in rural areas. He has an excellent academic record, having won the gold medal in MA (philosophy) from Bhopal University.

Shri Chouhan is married to Smt. Sadhna Singh and they have two sons.

“My message to NRIs is simple: Madhya Pradesh is one of the fastest growing states in the country. Our vision is to create a world-class state by providing better governance and building better infrastructure”