It's all Modi for BJP, state satraps just a sideshow

NEW DELHI: Once synonymous with the party as its faces in their respective states, the stature of saffron satraps in three of the five states going to polls has been downsized with BJP banking more on the charisma of PM Modi, the Centre's welfare schemes and its organisational muscle after having decided not to project any face as potential chief minister, a calculated risk, according to sources who exude confidence about the party's prospects.
Although Shivraj Singh Chouhan is the MP CM and continues to be a key factor, the leadership has not projected him as its face, a move which is seen as a safeguard against "fatigue" in certain sections about the four-term CM.
The party has also not projected any face in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh although there have been indications of Vasundhara Raje making an assertive bid for being allowed to at least lead the party campaign in the poll-bound desert state.
In 2018, BJP lost all three states to Congress and Chouhan (MP), Raje (Rajasthan) and Raman Singh (Chhattisgarh) were the incumbents.
The party, however, managed to return to Madhya Pradesh after Jyotiraditya Scindia revolted from Congress and joined BJP along with his loyalist MLAs a few months later, bringing down the Kamal Nath-led Congress government in the state.
The Chouhan government introduced several schemes, including "Ladli Behna" rolled out in January this year, under which Rs 1000 per month is given to poor women. Conceived as a counter to Congress's populist thrust, it is seen by many as crucial.
The party brass' decision to field veterans like Union ministers Narendra Singh Tomar, Faggan Singh Kulaste, Prahlad Patel and senior party functionary Kailash Vijayvargia has led to speculation that BJP is keeping options open in case it retains the state. This can also help party to keep inside the tent those who feel that Chouhan has been around for a bit too long.
The fate of Vasundhara Raje in Rajasthan also hangs in balance with the party, unlike on previous occasions, refusing to given in to her claim to primacy in the state.
Party insiders including a few influential leaders have spoken publicly about "collective" leadership, a term that is not associated with BJP in Rajasthan where Raje, and before her, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat were allowed to be the prima donnas.
In 2013, when the party leadership decided not to pass the leadership baton to her in the state, Raje had asserted and the party acquiesced. Success may elude her this time.
A section of the party, however, remains "sympathetic" to the former CM as the party under her always put up tough resistance.
Although Raman Singh is contesting the polls in Chhattisgarh, his future remains uncertain even if BJP wins.
Despite a stellar performance in Greater Hyderabad Municipal polls and winning four Lok Sabha polls in 2019, BJP is said to have lost the initial momentum in Telangana due to internal bickering after Union minister G Kishan Reddy recently replaced Bandi Sanjay as state president.