M S Chouhan: !!exclusive!!

Critics called it "freebie politics." Chouhan called it "karuna" (compassion). He understood the calculus of survival: In a state as poor and drought-prone as Madhya Pradesh, a loan waiver or a subsidized meal buys not just votes, but dignity.

Chouhan’s tenure (2005–2023) was a study in contradictions. He was a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) man to the core, a Hindu nationalist with a conservative social agenda. Yet, he governed with a populist, almost socialist fervor. His government launched the Ladli Laxmi Yojana (a scheme for girl child welfare) and the Ladli Behna Yojana (financial aid for women), creating a safety net that cut across caste lines. m s chouhan