Outgoing Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday submitted his resignation to Governor Mangubhai Patel after Mohan Yadav was elected the next CM of Madhya Pradesh by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Emotions ran high as Chouhan received an unexpected visit at his residence. A group of women beneficiaries of the flagship ‘Ladli Behna’ scheme, overcome with disappointment at his sudden resignation, arrived to express their gratitude and concern. Supporters met him at his residence on Tuesday, showing discontent over his resignation.

— ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2023

Also Read: Madhya Pradesh Elections 2023: Mohan Yadav to take oath as CM tomorrow along with two deputy CMs

A video showed ‘ladli behnas’ crying and hugging Shivraj Singh Chouhan, asking him not to leave the chief minister’s post.

“You are loved by everyone… we voted for you…,” the women can be heard saying in a video.

The BJP’s landslide victory in the recent assembly elections in the state is largely being credited to the ‘Ladli Behna’ welfare scheme. This scheme, targeting women voters directly, proved to be a masterstroke that helped the BJP swing the polls in its favour.

Meanwhile, at a farewell press conference today, Chouhan said he accepts the BJP leadership’s decision to replace him with Mohan Yadav.

“I am confident that under the leadership of CM Mohan Yadav, the BJP govt will complete the ongoing projects in the state. In terms of progress and development, Madhya Pradesh will achieve new heights. I will keep supporting him,” he said.

Also Read: Rajasthan CM declared! BJP picks Bhajanlal Sharma as CM, Diya Kumari and Prem Chand Bairwa as Deputy CMs

“I would rather die than go and ask something for myself,” he added.

Chouhan has served as the state’s Chief Minister for the longest period. His tenure spans from 2005 to 2018 and again from 2020 to 2023.