New Delhi, March 22 Shivraj Singh Chouhan is also known as a mass leader at the grass root level whereas the other contenders - Narendra Singh Tomar and Narottam Mishra are popular only in their constituencies.
In 2018, tickets for the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly election, were distributed at Chouhan's direction, which establishes his popularity among MLAs in the state.In the current scenario, by-polls would be scheduled on 24 seats and Chouhan, therefore the BJP central leadership would not intend to make him unhappy.
According to BJP sources, it is not advised to prop-up a new face for the Chief Minister in the state. Due to the wafer thin majority in the state, the BJP is very careful in making any political move, as in case of defection in the ranks of the BJP then it would become extremely embarrassing for the party.
Even, former senior Congress leader Jyotiraj Scindia who recently joined the BJP would not want Tomar, who hails from his constituency, would become the chief minister face.Last evening, Chouhan had called all the BJP MLAs for dinner at home, it is a popular style to lobby for his interests, but due to coronavirus scare this was cancelled.
According to BJP sources, the central leadership in Delhi was not in favour of this dinner lobbying before there is a meeting of all MLAs.
Chouhan's absence was noted at BJP Presdient J.P. Nadda house where the Congress rebel MLAs joined the BJP.
Interesingly, Tomar was present at this occasion. Moreover, Chouhan has not tweeted yet to welcome the Congress MLAs into BJP.
According to political observers, there is an inkling that the central leadership has given a message to Chouhan.
( With inputs from IANS )