BHOPAL: As the anticipation builds for the upcoming Madhya Pradesh elections, The New Indian‘s Executive Editor, Rohan Dua, journeyed to the political epicentre of Bhopal for an exclusive conversation with Kartikey Singh Chouhan, the son of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and a potential face for the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) leadership. During the interview, Kartikey shed light on the deeply personal motivations behind his father’s commitment to women’s empowerment in the state.
Kartikey revealed that the tragic losses of his grandmother and Shivraj’s mother were pivotal events that fuelled his father’s dedication to improving the lives of women. Contrary to political manoeuvring, Kartikey emphasised that these development schemes, including Laadli Lakshmi Yojana, Laadli Behana Yojana, Kanyadaan Yojana, and the 50 per cent reservation for women in local bodies, were born out of genuine life experiences.
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Expressing the profound impact of his grandmother’s early demise on Shivraj, Kartikey stated, “When a child loses his mother at such a delicate age, that is when they realise the importance of women in the world around them.” He underscored the diverse roles women play in a person’s life and how the loss prompted Shivraj to contemplate the rights and struggles of women.
Growing up in a lower-middle-class family, Kartikey emphasised the firsthand understanding of the challenges faced by women. “He was from a lower-middle-class family, and he saw firsthand the kind of torture and humiliation that a woman goes through in their lifetime,” said Kartikey. He highlighted the necessity for women’s empowerment, drawing attention to their dependence on the “men of the house” for even the most basic assistance.
The 28-year-old Kartikeya was out campaigning for his father in Budhni constituency, where Shivraj has maintained his stronghold for the past 15 years of the BJP’s reign in the state.