Shivraj Singh Chouhan resigns as CM, says will provide constructive criticism as Opposition

Paving the path for the Congress to form the government in Madhya Pradesh, outgoing Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday resigned from his post after 13 straight years in office. Chouhan, the three-time chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, congratulated the Congress for being the voters' choice in 2018 Assembly elections and also thanked BJP workers for their unconditional supports during his tenure in the state.

The Congress, which was locked in a tantalising see-saw battle with the BJP in Madhya Pradesh, has emerged as the single-largest party with 114 seats, just two seats short of the majority mark in the 230-member Assembly. However, with the help of Mayawati's BSP, Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party and four independent candidates, the Congress is all set for a comeback in Madhya Pradesh after 15 long years.

After people's mandate in Madhya Pradesh Assembly Elections 2018 seek to oust the BJP government in the state, CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday accepted his responsibilities for the party's defeat and stepped down from his post this morning.

Addressing a press conference at his residence, Shivraj said, "Victory or defeat, nothing scares me. I will accept whatever comes my way in the path of duty". Though speculations have been rife that the BJP could meet the governor for a shot at power, Chouhan clarified that "We did not win a majority, so will not stake claim".

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Taking responsibility for the BJP's defeat, Chouhan said, "The BJP members worked tirelessly for the campaign. The party chief worked very hard. I am grateful to the national head, and people of the country".

"In 2008, we got lesser vote share, but we won 143 seats. This time we got 40 percent votes... but we got 109 seats. If anyone's to blame for the poll performance, it's me," the chief minister added.

Congratulating the state Congress for their victory in 2018 Assembly polls, he further said, "I called up Kamal Nath (Congress leader) to congratulate him. And all I want to tell the new government is work for the people. We devised schemes for people, for farmers, for the poor. I want the new government to take over from here. We are all a part of democratic set up".

Referring to Rahul Gandhi's promises of loan waiver in 10 days, Shivraj said, "I hope Congress delivers" their promises. During his poll campaign ahead of 2018 Assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh, the Congress chief said that they will change the CM if they don't deliver in this regard within 10 days of coming to power.

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Chouhan also alerted the Congress, saying "Even Opposition BJP is also strong in Madhya Pradesh. We have 109 MLAs. Our responsibility is to cooperate the government and provide constructive criticism for their work in the state".

Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan: Vipaksh bhi mazboot hai, humare paas 109 vidhayak hain. Mera kaam hai rachnaatmak sahyog, chowkidari karne ki zimmedaari humari hai. #AssemblyElectionResults2018 pic.twitter.com/BQJK814yw8

— ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2018

Shivraj also recited a few lines from a poem named 'Suman' by Shiv Mangal Singh before resigning from his post.

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Chouhan was appointed as the Madhya Pradesh chief minister in 2005 after Uma Bharti resigned following an arrest warrant in connection with the 1994 Hubli riots. Post that, Babulal Gaur took over and remained the chief minister till November 2005. The BJP has been rulling the state since 2003.