Shivraj Singh Chouhan is an Indian politician and a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He assumed the office of the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh (MP), for the fourth time in March 2020.
He has served on the same post three times in the past (between 2005 and 2018) and also holds a record of the longest-serving chief minister of the state. A five-time Member of Parliament, he is currently also serving as a National Vice-President, member of the Parliamentary Board, and BJP's Central Election Committee.
Often referred to as Mamaji (a Hindi term for maternal uncle), Chouhan is touted as the crusader of the development of the state of Madhya Pradesh and is also known for launching the schemes like ‘Ladli Lakshmi Yojana’ and ‘Beti Bachao Abhiyan’.
On March 5, 1959, Chouhan was born to Prem Singh Chouhan and his wife Sundar Bai Chouhan in the Jait village of Sehore district, MP. At the age of 13, he joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He has done his MA (Philosophy) from Barkatullah University. He got married to Sadhna Singh Chouhan in 1992 and has two children.
This report highlights the controversial and misogynistic remarks made by Phool Singh Baraiya, a Congress MLA from Madhya Pradesh. The MLA claimed that 'pretty women can distract men, which can lead to their rape,' and further attempted to justify his stance by linking these views to religious texts. The comments have sparked a massive political row, with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan strongly slamming the legislator and demanding immediate action. The incident is particularly noted for occurring in front of a poster of Babasaheb Ambedkar. Despite the outrage, Baraiya was later seen with Rahul Gandhi during his visit to Indore. The report questions whether the Congress leadership will take disciplinary action against the MLA to set a precedent, especially as the party campaigns for the rights of the backward classes. The segment underscores the lack of justification for such statements from a public representative.
This news bulletin examines the financial strain facing Madhya Pradesh due to populist welfare schemes, with Ladli Behena Yojana at the forefront. The bulletin notes that the scheme now supports nearly 1.26 crore women with Rs 1,500 per month, a hike implemented after Diwali under the current Chief Minister, pushing the scheme’s annual cost to approximately Rs 22,000 crore. A key quote highlights the depth of the crisis: ‘Madhya Pradesh is currently under a heavy debt burden of 4.65 lakh crore rupees, which is higher than the state's total budget of 4.21 lakh crore rupees for 2025-26.’ The coverage details technical and documentation difficulties for several women beneficiaries, mounting debt due to election promises, and debates over the sustainability of such welfare spending. The opposition’s criticism and delays in government projects due to budgetary constraints are also discussed.
In this episode of To The Point, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra addresses the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids on the political consultancy firm I-PAC, accusing the BJP-led central government of weaponising agencies to sabotage the TMC's strategy for the 2026 Bengal polls.
In a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Madhya Pradesh, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) President Asaduddin Owaisi condemned the administration over the deaths caused by contaminated drinking water in Indore. Speaking on the tragedy, Owaisi highlighted the irony of the government's global aspirations, stating, 'We claim to be a global group (Vishwaguru), and people die by drinking dirty water.' He further criticized the party's priorities, referencing their 'bulldozer' actions against Muslims while failing to provide basic amenities like clean water. The AIMIM chief remarked that those responsible should 'drown themselves in dirty water' for their negligence. This report by India Today's Abdul Basheer details the political fallout as the opposition questions the state's governance amid the health crisis in 2026.
In this breaking news report, India Today Senior Editor Mausami Singh details the escalating political confrontation between the BJP and Congress over the new VBG Ramji Bill, which replaces MGNREGA. Union Minister for Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan has strongly defended the legislation, dismissing Congress's protests as 'merely political'. The report highlights Rahul Gandhi's allegation that the 'entire bill... was brought at the behest of the PMO' without the minister's prior knowledge. Mausami Singh notes that the Congress plans a mass mobilization campaign, while Chouhan asserts the opposition is misleading the poor.
In a scathing critique, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi has slammed the Modi government's new 'Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin)' or VB-G RAM G law, which replaces the landmark MGNREGA scheme. Gandhi termed the move a 'bulldozer attack' on the rights-based legislation enacted in 2005. She highlighted that the new law increases the state's financial burden from 10% to 40% and replaces demand-driven employment with fixed budget caps. The India Today report details the political showdown, with the Congress alleging the structural dismantling of the rural employment guarantee.
The controversial ‘Viksit Bharat G.Ramji’ bill has officially become law after receiving Presidential assent, replacing the decades-old MGNREGA. India Today’s Senior Correspondent Piyush Mishra reports on the significant overhaul, noting that the new law guarantees 125 days of employment, up from 100. However, the legislation has sparked intense opposition, primarily due to the removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name and the revised funding pattern where states must now contribute 40%. Mishra states, ‘The Congress Party and many other opposition parties have also promised that they will take this entire matter across the country.’ The West Bengal government has already renamed its scheme to ‘Mahatmashree’ in protest. The new law also mandates wage payments within one week.
The Rajya Sabha has passed the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill via a voice vote, replacing the MGNREGA scheme.
In this India Today news bulletin, anchor Sneha Mordani and reporter Piyush Mishra discuss the escalating disciplinary actions against several Members of Parliament following chaotic scenes during the Winter Session. The report highlights a complaint filed by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey seeking the suspension of eight MPs, including Congress's Jyothimani, for allegedly climbing onto benches while Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was replying to the debate on the 'VB-G RAM G Bill' (transcribed as G. Ramji bill). The broadcast also addresses separate controversies, including Rajya Sabha's probe into Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury for bringing a 'stray dog' into Parliament and the investigation into TMC MP Kirti Azad for allegedly smoking an e-cigarette inside the House. Sources confirm that the Privilege Committee is examining these incidents to set a precedent for parliamentary conduct.
In a late-night session, the Rajya Sabha passed the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025, replacing the UPA-era MGNREGA. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan presented the legislation, which increases guaranteed employment to 125 days but faced fierce resistance for removing Mahatma Gandhi's name. Defending the move, Chouhan stated, 'Congress dhang kardo... bapu Ki Gandhiji ke adarshon Ki hatya.' The bill was passed by voice vote after opposition MPs, alleging the government was 'snatching the rights of poor people,' staged a walkout. The new law also alters the funding pattern to a 60:40 Centre-State split.
On this Special Report, the focus is on the passage of the VBG Ramji Bill 2025 in the Rajya Sabha. Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan presented the bill, which replaces MGNREGA. Trinamool Congress MP Sagarika Ghose lashed out at the government, stating, ‘The manner in which the Modi government has brought in this completely anti-poor... bill... is an insult to India's poor.’ The bill was passed by voice vote at midnight amid an Opposition walkout.
Union Minister of Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan has secured parliamentary approval for the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025. The new legislation replaces MGNREGA and increases guaranteed employment from 100 to 125 days. During the debate, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge warned that people would ‘come on the road’ and ‘eat bullets’ to oppose the move. The bill was passed in both Houses amid opposition ruckus, with members tearing copies of the bill in the Lok Sabha.
The big talking point of this edition of News Today is the air pollution crisis, which has affected Delhi-NCR and other parts of the country. Despite this, the issue has not been debated in Parliament.
In this special report, India Today details the chaotic scenes in the Lok Sabha as the Narendra Modi government passed the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, or VB-G RAM G. The new legislation replaces the 20-year-old MNREGA scheme and proposes a statutory guarantee of 125 days of wage employment, an increase from the previous 100 days. However, the bill sparked a major political row, with opposition MPs tearing copies of the legislation and protesting the reduction of central funding for labor costs from 100% to 60%. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan defended the move as a necessary reform for public interest, while critics labeled it an attack on welfare. The report explores the implications of the new funding split for states.
The Lok Sabha has passed the contentious Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, colloquially dubbed the 'V.B.G.Ramji Bill', amidst unprecedented chaos. Replacing the two-decade-old MGNREGA, the new legislation promises a statutory guarantee of 125 days of wage employment per rural household. However, the session witnessed a massive ruckus as opposition MPs stormed the well, raised slogans, and tore copies of the bill, flinging them at the Chair. While the government claims to have earmarked Rs 95,000 crore for the initiative, critics argue the shift to a 60:40 funding split between the Centre and states will cripple the right to work. Speaker Om Birla reprimanded the opposition for violating parliamentary decorum before the bill cleared the litmus test. The report highlights the escalating political battle set to spill beyond Parliament.
As Delhi-NCR battles severe air pollution, India Today's special investigation, Operation Gas Chamber, has exposed how brazenly GRAP-4 norms are being flouted just kilometres from the Supreme Court under the cover of darkness.
TVK chief and actor Vijay called the ruling DMK an 'evil force' and his party a 'pure force' at a massive rally in Erode, Tamil Nadu ahead of the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections.
This Super 6 bulletin, anchored by Akshata Nandagopal, details significant political events from India's southern states. The lead story covers TVK chief Vijay's rally in Erode, where he labeled the ruling DMK an 'evil force' and a 'destructive power'. The program features a debate on Vijay's political ideology, with TVK spokesperson Thenmozhi Prasanna highlighting rising POCSO cases and DMK spokesperson Salem Dharanidharan defending his government's record. Another major development is the Karnataka Legislative Assembly passing the Hate Speech and Hate Crimes Prevention Bill 2025 amid opposition protests. The bulletin also reports on the arrest of Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai in Tirupur, a security lapse involving actor Nidhi Agarwal in Hyderabad, and a disruption in the Lok Sabha over the new rural employment bill (VB-G RAM G). Additionally, the broadcast notes West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's decision to rename the Karmashree Project.
An India Today Special Report reveals ongoing violations of GRAP-4 anti-pollution measures in Delhi, where an investigation uncovered illegal construction activities continuing at night in Sarojini Nagar and Netaji Nagar. This occurs as a tumultuous Winter Session of Parliament is dominated by protests over the introduction of the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025. The bill, introduced by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to replace the MGNREGA scheme, has been met with fierce opposition from parties like Congress and TMC, who accuse the government of disrespecting Mahatma Gandhi's legacy. While Delhi's Environment Minister pledges action against polluters, critics like Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda and TMC MP Sushmita Dev decry the lack of parliamentary debate on the capital's 'environmental emergency'.
On this broadcast, India Today anchor Sonal Mehrotra Kapoor discusses the Parliament's failure to debate the severe pollution crisis during the ongoing Winter Session. Reporters Aishwarya Paliwal and Piyush Mishra highlight that the scheduled discussion under Rule 193 was abandoned due to the uproar over the VBG Ramji Bill, introduced by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to replace MGNREGA. Paliwal notes, 'I doubt that in this session, we will see a discussion on the burning issue of pollution.' The programme also covers the cancellation of a cricket match in Lucknow and concerts in Delhi due to hazardous air quality. Opposition MPs, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Bansuri Swaraj, were prepared to speak, but the House was adjourned following protests over the removal of Mahatma Gandhi's name from the rural employment scheme.
