BJP to implement ‘One person, one post’ formula:Rawat, Bhadoria, and Imarti lead corporation chairperson race; first list expected post Bihar elections

The path for political appointments in Madhya Pradesh’s corporations, boards, and authorities is now nearly clear. The central leadership has given theoretical approval to BJP’s ‘one post’ formula, and activity has intensified in the corridors of power. Sources say the appointment process will begin sequentially after the Bihar assembly elections. The list includes former ministers, ex-MLAs, and organisational office bearers. In February 2024, appointments in all 46 corporations and boards were cancelled. Now, the government has approved appointments for chairman posts in the Jan Abhiyan Parishad, State Backward Classes Commission, and Private University Regulatory Commission. Sources say appointments will consider regional and caste balance and coordination with the organisation. They will be made in phases, with some likely after the Bihar elections. MP political appointments in progress Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has held two rounds of discussions with central BJP leadership in Delhi regarding new appointments. On November 10, BJP National Organisation General Secretary B.L. Santosh met for two hours with Yadav, State President Hemant Khandelwal, and Organisation Minister Hitanand Sharma during an RSS event. Last month, a key Bhopal meeting saw the Chief Minister, Khandelwal, and Hitanand Sharma discuss the first round of names for corporation board appointments. What is the strategy to balance power and organisation? 1. Focus on underrepresented regions The BJP’s new state executive focused on regional equations, but Malwa dominated with 11 office bearers. Central India has five, Bundelkhand three, Gwalior-Chambal five, Mahakoshal two, and Vindhya three. To address this imbalance, upcoming corporation and board appointments will give more representation to Mahakoshal, Vindhya, and Gwalior-Chambal. 2. Balancing caste equations The state executive includes 14 general, six OBC, three ST, and two SC office bearers. A similar caste balance will now be maintained in appointments to corporations and boards. Which faces to be included? In the first list of corporation and board appointments, former ministers who lost elections or missed cabinet posts have the strongest claims. Arvind Bhadoria, Ramniwas Rawat, and Imarti Devi are almost certain picks. Rawat, who joined BJP during the Lok Sabha elections, served as Forest Minister but lost the Vijaypur by-election. Imarti Devi, from the Scindia quota, previously chaired the Small Scale Industries Corporation and lost from Dabra. Bhadoria, a former Shivraj government minister, has held key organisational roles. Names of Umashankar Gupta and Anchal Sonkar are also under discussion. Long list of former MLAs and leaders
Apart from these big names, many former MLAs and dedicated party workers are also in this race. Regarding the names associated with the organisation, Ashutosh Tiwari (former Organization Secretary), Vijay Dubey (former Divisional In-charge), Keshav Bhadauria (State Executive Committee Member), Vinod Gotia (former State General Secretary), Gaurav Sirothia (former District President), Shyam Sundar Sharma (State Executive Committee Member), Sanjay Nagaich (former Chairman, District Cooperative Bank), Shaitan Singh Pal (former Corporation Chairman), and Sunil Pandey are included. Aldermen appointments based on MLA, MP, and district president preference BJP cancels previous government’s appointments For the first time, the BJP government under CM Dr. Mohan Yadav cancelled appointments of chairpersons and vice-chairpersons in 46 corporations, boards, and authorities on February 13, 2024. These appointments were made during Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s tenure, with many terms still remaining. Appointments to be made in phases There are 48 corporations, boards, and authorities with around 1,200 posts of chairpersons, vice-chairpersons, and members. Appointments will be made in a phased manner to maintain political balance and convey the intended message. BJP State President Hemant Khandelwal hinted at this after announcing the state executive. Antyodaya committees to be reconstituted Deendayal Antyodaya Committees will be reconstituted to give grassroots workers a share in power and monitor government schemes from the gram panchayat to the state level. The Chief Minister will chair the state-level committee, and in-charge ministers will head district-level committees. These committees will have administrative powers under the Deendayal Antyodaya Program Implementation Act, 1991, to function effectively rather than remain nominal.