Madhya Pradesh

The young spiritual story-teller, who has been grabbing headlines and prime time space on many TV channels over the last many days, has huge following not only in Bundelkhand region or Madhya Pradesh, but in many parts of the country. He has been in news, owing to his "miraculous powers" which were questioned last month by a Maharashtra-based organisation, Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti.

A verbal tug-of-war had broken out between Chouhan and former CM and state Congress chief Kamal Nath began in the last week of January, and since then, both the senior politicians have been training their guns on each other regularly. Chouhan has started posing a series of questions to Kamal Nath over the 'failed' promises of the 15-month Congress government, while the latter is trying to 'expose' the ruling party in a similar fashion.

While addressing a gathering in the presence of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari here, Chouhan said: "Ram Hindustan Ki Pehchan Hai (Ram is the identity of India)." He said "our" religious "granthas" (scriptures) are capable to educate people morally, so "why can't these granthas be taught in schools".

The main focus of the Bharatiya Janata Party this time is on the 103 assembly seats where MLAs belonging to Congress and other parties are there. In the assembly elections held in the state in 2018, the BJP lagged behind the Congress and even lost power. However, the party returned to power due to the defection of Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, and also won the bypolls, but the party is worried about the upcoming elections.

Citing results of the municipal elections held few months back, Nath, who was visiting Tikamgarh district in Bundelkhand region, noted that the ruling BJP lost mayoral posts in both Gwalior and Morena, despite having Scindia on their side. "If he (Scindia) was such a big gun, why did they (BJP) lose mayoral seats in Gwalior and Morena?" he said in response to a question by a reporter on the Congress contesting the upcoming Assembly elections without Scindia.

Reliable sources in the Madhya Pradesh BJP said that what experiments will take place is still unclear as the decisions will be taken by the Central leadership -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah -- but some major changes are expected. "Whether the ministers and some sitting MLAs will be given tickets for the next election or not, is a different issue. It happens in every election in all political parties, but that will not change the atmosphere. A major reshuffle is likely to take place at the top level of the sangathan (party)

While addressing a public event in Niwari, the Chief Minister said that he has received various complaints against district collector Bhatnagar and Orchha's tehsildar Sandeep Sharma. "Niwari district is very special for me. While I do not disrespect any official, those who don't work for the people won't be spared. I appreciate publicly the officials who are working honestly for the people," Chouhan said.

The fresh such remarks were made by medical education minister Vishvas Sarang on Monday. In a video message, Sarang, who is MLA from Narela constituency in Bhopal, said the Congress has always suffered because of internal fights between top leaders. He took a dig at the opposition claiming that the Congress leaders do not miss opportunities to insult each other.

As per the plan, marriage registrars and other institutions responsible for solemnising marriages in the state will be mandated to get police pre-verification of the applicant couples in a bid to check instances of love jihad.

When the Babri Masjid was demolished in Uttar Pradesh, the Bharatiya Janata Party was in power in Madhya Pradesh. After a short interval of President's rule, elections were held in 1993 and the Sundarlal Patwa-led BJP government was voted out of power. The Digvijaya Singh-led Congress ruled the state for the next 10 years, following the rules of moderate governance.