Shivraj Singh Chouhan Biography: Early Life, Education, Family and Political Career

Union Agriculture Minister

Full Name –Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Father’s name – Prem Singh Chouhan

Mother’s name – Sundarbai Chouhan

Spouse’s name – Sadhna Singh

Children – 2 sons, Kartikey & Kunal

Education – gold medalist in M. A. (Philosophy) from Barkatullah University Bhopal.

Age – 5th March 1959

Birth Place – Jait village, Sehore, Madhya Pradesh

Occupation/Profession – Union Minister

Party – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

Religion/Caste – Kirar/ Hindu

Early Life

In 1975, he became the Student Union President of Adarsh Higher Secondary School in Bhopal (Model Higher Secondary School). He opposed the Emergency and was imprisoned in Bhopal Jail during 1976–77. He led several movements to address public issues and was jailed multiple times. Since 1977, he has been a volunteer with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Political Career

Shivraj Singh Chouhan's political journey began at a young age when he joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) at just 13 in 1972. In 1975, he became the President of the Student Union at Model School, Bhopal, and also served as Joint Secretary of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in Madhya Pradesh. He actively participated in the underground movement against the Emergency and was briefly imprisoned in Bhopal Jail in 1976. Rising through the ranks, he held various key roles in the ABVP, including State General Secretary and National Executive Member. In the 1980s, he transitioned into leadership positions within the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), eventually becoming its State President in 1988.

Chouhan entered electoral politics in 1990 as an MLA from Budhni and was elected to the Lok Sabha from Vidisha in 1991. Over the years, he served multiple terms in Parliament and held membership in various parliamentary committees related to labour, welfare, education, and rural development. He became the National President of BJYM in 2000 and the President of the Madhya Pradesh BJP in 2005. His leadership in the state earned him the position of Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, a role he held for several terms. In 2019, he was appointed National Vice President of the BJP. Currently, he is serving as the Union Minister for Agriculture in the Narendra Modi-led government.

As CM : In 2005, Shivraj Singh Chouhan was appointed as the State President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). On November 29 of the same year, he took oath as the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. During the elections for the 13th Legislative Assembly of the state, Chouhan played a significant role as a star campaigner for the BJP and led the party to a successful victory. Recognizing his leadership, on December 10, 2008, he was unanimously elected as the leader of the 143-member BJP legislative party. Subsequently, on December 12, 2008, he was sworn in again as the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh at Jamboree Maidan in Bhopal.

Net Worth/ Assets

According to the affidavit filed by Shivraj Singh Chouhan ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he does not have any bank loans in his name. His declared assets include movable property worth ₹1.24 crore and immovable property valued at ₹2.17 crore. A loan of ₹64 lakh is listed in the name of his wife, Sadhana Singh. Shivraj Singh Chouhan owns 96 tolas (approximately 1.12 kg) of gold jewelry and a revolver. Interestingly, he does not own a car. His wife, Sadhana, possesses 535 grams of gold jewelry and owns an Ambassador car.

Controversy / Cases

After the BJP's victory in the December 2023 Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections, when Mohan Yadav was chosen as the new Chief Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan's statement drew significant political attention. Speaking at a press conference after stepping down, Chouhan addressed the media and said, "Let me say one thing very humbly – I would rather die than go asking for something for myself." His emotionally charged remark was seen as a pointed response to the leadership change and sparked discussions across political and public circles.