Shivraj Chouhan Takes Charge of Agriculture Ministry, Shifts Focus to Farming Community

Senior BJP leader and four-time former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, has been appointed as the Union Agriculture Minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's new Cabinet. With a deep understanding of rural issues and vast governance experience, his new role brings fresh hopes for addressing challenges in the agriculture sector.

Senior BJP leader and four-time former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, took charge of the Union Agriculture Ministry on Tuesday. Additionally, he has been allocated the Rural Development Ministry in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's new Cabinet.

Known affectionately as 'mama' (maternal uncle) and 'paon-paon wale bhaiya' (foot soldier), the 65-year-old leader's induction marks a significant milestone in his over three-decade-long political journey. Chouhan took oath last Sunday as part of the Prime Minister's Council of Ministers.

With extensive experience in governance and a strong connection with the rural populace, Chouhan's appointment is expected to inject fresh energy into the government's initiatives addressing the challenges faced by the agriculture sector and farming community.

Chouhan has cultivated an image of a 'son of the soil,' associating himself with the socio-economic concerns of farmers, villagers, women, and children in Madhya Pradesh. Despite being denied the Chief Minister's position for the fifth time last year, he secured a record margin of 8.21 lakh votes, winning the Vidisha Lok Sabha seat for a sixth term.

His induction into the Union Cabinet was widely anticipated, especially after Prime Minister Modi commended him at a rally in Madhya Pradesh before the Lok Sabha polls, acknowledging his contributions and popularity.

Born on March 5, 1959, in a farming family in Jait village, Sehore district, Chouhan began his political journey at 13 with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He was first elected to the Madhya Pradesh Assembly from Budhni constituency in 1990 and later became a Member of Parliament from Vidisha in 1991.

Winning his fifth Lok Sabha election with a margin of over 2,60,000 votes, he was re-elected from the same constituency in 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2004.