As Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan completed one year in the state, ABP News reached out to the veterans of both ruling and the opposition parties to understand the current political situation and the leaders’ viewpoints on the performance of the Madhya Pradesh government. These perspectives were shared on a special edition of ABP News’ flagship conclave, ‘Shikhar Sammelan’.

Speaking at Chouhan threw light on the current COVID-19 situation in Madhya Pradesh and lockdown being implemented again, saying, “Covid has returned and hence everyone should follow the guidelines issued by the government. Wearing masks and avoiding social gatherings should be followed by the people. Everyone should get vaccinated as it will help India fight against the virus. If people will be ignorant, harsh decisions will have to be taken by the government.”

The flagship conclave brought to the fore, the promises and perspectives of the political parties in Madhya Pradesh, insightful deliberations on local issues, and other national imperatives.

The platform saw a diverse line-up of political luminaries and illustrious personalities such as Kailash Vijayvargiya (National Gecy, BJP; BJP Central Observer, Bengal), Kamal Nath (Former CM, Madhya Pradesh), Uma Bharti (Former CM, Madhya Pradesh), Digvijay Singh (Rajya Sabha MP; Gen Secy, INC), V. D. Sharma (Lok Sabha MP; BJP State President, Madhya Pradesh), Arun Yadav (Former President, Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee), Jayvardhan Singh (Son of Former CM Digvijay Singh), Siddharth Tiwari (Leader, INC), Om Prakash Saklecha (Son of Former CM Virendra Saklecha), Surendra Patwa (son of Former CM Sunderlal Patwa), Devendra Singh Tomar (Son of Narendra Singh Tomar), Krishna Gaur (Former Mayor, Bhopal; MLA, BJP), Dipti Singh (MP Congress Women Wing Head), Bhakti Sharma (US returned sarpanch of Barkhedi Abdullah Village Near Bhopal), Megha Parmar (1st woman from MP who climbed Mt. Everest & Mt. Killimanjaro; ambassador of Beti Padhao Beti Bachao campaign in MP), Jitu Patwari (Working President INC, MP; National Spokesperson INC), Kamal Patel (Agriculture Development Minister), Manzar Bhopali (Renowned Poet), and Javed Khan (actor – Bhopal ke Patiye).

The venue of the event was well-sanitized and in line with all necessary COVID-19 protocols. ABP News’ immense focus on the safety aspect of its attendees ensured it was a successful on-ground event.

Speaking about the conclave, Avinash Pandey, CEO, ABP Network said, “On ABP News, we always strive to bring the most important and pertinent discourses of the state and the nation to the fore. Government engagement and deliberation is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy and Shikhar Sammelan provides a unique platform to political leaders to do so, while also enabling them to establish a strong connection with the people. We hope the people of Madhya Pradesh were able to better understand their leaders and local issues through this special edition of Shikhar Sammelan.”

The key lights discussed at the event were the following:

• When asked about Congress losing power in the state, Former CM of Madhya Pradesh, Kamal Nath said, “In 2018, people of Madhya Pradesh elected us to power but ‘soudebaazi ki sarkar’ took over and has been ruling since a year.”
• When asked why Dilip Ghosh is not contesting the elections and who will be the CM face for BJP in West Bengal if the party wins the election, National General Secretary of BJP, Kailash Vijayvargiya said, “Dilip Ghosh is the state president who is dedicated to the people of the state and is working towards the victory of BJP. We want to run the government in a good way, and we want to work towards Sonar Bangla. His strategies, plans, and experience will help BJP win and his entire focus is on that.”

“We have not decided the CM’s position as of now but once we form the government, BJP will have a meeting with the workers and dignitaries to choose the Chief Minister. And if Mamata Banerjee is accusing us of not revealing the CM candidate, then we want to tell her that the entire party is fighting to dethrone her, not just the CM candidate,” he added.

• Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan spoke about the Mamata Banerjee government and his visit to Bengal. He said, “Mamata Banerjee stopped the implementation of central govt. policies which stopped the development of Bengal, and now everything goes in line with Bhaipo’s decision. Didi said ‘Kehla Hobe’ but now Didi’s Khel Khatam (game over). People will now vote for Vikas Hobe and Rozgaar Hobe.”

“Mamata Banerjee’s TMC means ‘Tang Mein Chot’, Didi is playing politics over her injury but people of Bengal will now vote for BJP has they know her acting skills. People of Bengal want to change and they believe in BJP and PM Modi. BJP will win in Bengal with a clear majority,” he added.

• When asked about Scindia not being made CM, Rajya Sabha MP, Digvijaya Singh said, “We believe in a democratic approach. Scindia did not even have 25 MLAs’ support, whereas Kamal Nath was supported by 90 MLAs. We couldn’t have forfeited Kamal Nath’s right to be CM”.