Madhya Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Hemant Khandelwal (61) is a seasoned politician with almost 20 years of experience at all levels of politics. He has been a Member of Parliament, is currently an MLA in Madhya Pradesh, and also serves as the organizational head of the BJP state unit. Born in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, Hemant Khandelwal inherited a political legacy from his father, Vijay Kumar Khandelwal, who was a BJP Member of the Lok Sabha from Betul four times in a row from 1996 to 2007.
When he passed away at the age of 71, the BJP gave the ticket to his son for the 2007 bypolls, and he emerged victorious. On 2 July 2025, Hemant was appointed the MP BJP Chief. In an exclusive interview with Gaurav Chandra, he spoke on various issues including state, national, and international matters. Excerpts:
Q: The present BJP Government of Madhya Pradesh is about to complete two-and-a-half years in office on 13 June. How do you rate its performance till now?
A: The Dr Mohan Yadav-led government has successfully completed more than two years in office. The biggest challenge for any new government is not only providing new welfare and development opportunities to the people but also carrying forward existing welfare schemes and plans. This government has provided many new benefits to the people in the fields of health, education, employment, agriculture and infrastructure. The government has provided benefits to peasants through the Bhavantar Yojana, by ensuring the MSP on their produce, and offering zero-per cent interest loans. The government has successfully carried forward past schemes like Laadli Behna Yojana, Laadli Laxmi Yojana, the CM Kanyadan Yojana, CM Teerthdarshan Yojana and many others. In its new initiatives, the government is concertedly working towards establishing more than 50 medical colleges, increasing the medical seats in the state to 10,000, and creating industrial corridors in each district so that all kinds of industries and factories can be set up in MP. The state has signed agreements worth Rs 30 lakh crore, and the aim is to provide employment to more than 23 lakh people. The state government is also promoting religious tourism at Mahakal, Omkareshwar, Orchha and many other places of religious significance. The government has also taken major steps for wildlife conservation. I am certain that all eyes in the country are currently on Madhya Pradesh and its development model.
Q: The BJP scored major wins in three out of five state assembly and union territory polls recently. In Bengal, the BJP has formed the state government for the first time ever. What are your views, and what, according to you, were the major reasons behind this historic feat?
A: There was a time when the BJP was considered a party of only a few communities and was limited to only some parts of the country. But ever since Atal Ji (Late PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee) came, and now with Modi Ji as the PM, the BJP has seen governments in all the North-eastern states and even in South India. The BJP’s flag is flying high from north to south and east to west in the country. We had already won in Assam last time, and we repeated it in a bigger way this time. In Bengal, the people have put their seal on the leadership of PM Narendra Modi. The process that began there in the last Assembly polls has been duly and justly completed this time. People voted for the good governance of the BJP and against the long misgovernance of TMC CM Mamata Banerjee.
Q: In view of the impending fuel crisis due to the US-Iran conflict, PM Modi has appealed for several austerity measures. What are your views, and how are they being implemented in MP?
A: The Prime Minister’s appeal is very relevant, particularly for petrol and diesel, as India does not produce these fuels and we have to import them. The PM’s appeal to save petrol and diesel will result in conserving not only our fuel supplies but also the country’s foreign exchange. Although there is presently no shortage of fuel in India, it is still prudent that not only politicians but all citizens make it a habit to save fuel in the larger interest of the country.
Q: How do you follow these habits in your personal life?
A: Ever since I became the MP BJP President, I have never travelled with a convoy of vehicles. In fact, I do not use any government vehicle at all. I still travel in my own private vehicle. I have not even taken a government house in Bhopal, despite the Chief Minister urging me to take one. I live in my own house in Bhopal. I have also been paying toll tax on all roads, despite having been a Lok Sabha Member since 2007, and then an MLA and the state party president.
Q: You have taken strict action against some BJP leaders who acted in contradiction of the PM’s repeated appeals to follow austerity measures. Can you elaborate?
A : Yes, we have cancelled the appointment of our newly-appointed district Kisan Morcha President in Bhind district, as he went in a big vehicle rally to take charge of his post. We have also served show-cause notices to some other leaders, who did not follow the PM’s directives. If they fail to provide satisfactory explanations for their acts, stringent action will be taken against them.
Q: Organisational appointments in various boards and corporations in MP have finally begun. What are the major criteria in the selection process?
A: Several top posts in various Corporations, Boards, Commissions, and Authorities in MP were lying vacant over the years. Now the BJP government and the party organization have started appointing eligible party workers to these posts. We shortlisted the eligible party workers for these posts, based on their dedication, commitment and hard work done in the past for the party and organization. We also took into consideration the requirements of the particular regions where the posts have been filled. Our main aim is to justify the appointments by providing equal opportunities to eligible party workers from all sections of society, castes, and regions.
Q: It has almost been a year since you were appointed the MP BJP President. What, according to you, have been your major achievements in these 10 months, and what more do you plan to strengthen the BJP organisation and cadre in MP?
A : More than looking at any achievements in these 10 months, I will say that my top priority has been to fill up each and every post in the party organization. I am making concerted efforts to further strengthen all our party Morchas in the state. I am working to ensure that our organizational meetings and events are held regularly and on schedule. I have also directed all our Divisional and District in-charge leaders to visit their respective areas on a regular basis and interact with party workers there. The Morcha presidents and office-bearers must go to all districts; our Mandal leaders must be available at the booth level so that all our workers – down to the ground level – remain active, energized and rejuvenated.
Q: The BJP has always been regarded as a disciplined party. However, several incidents of indiscipline and use of derogatory language involving ministers, BJP MLA’s and other party functionaries have surfaced in the past few years in MP. How do you intend to bring more discipline to the state unit?
A: I agree that some incidents have occurred. But the BJP is such a huge family, and we have lakhs of workers, so it is possible that a few such incidents might occur. Notwithstanding that, whenever any such incidents come to the notice of the CM or the party organization, we take cognizance. We try to counsel our workers where it is required, and also take strict action against them if necessary.
Q: Besides being the MP BJP Chief, you are also a sitting MLA. How do you balance the two roles, and do you think it is the right decision to have an MLA as the party chief ?
A: See, there are no fixed rules for appointing the party head. Mr J P Nadda, Mr Nitin Nabin and others before them have been sitting members of Parliament while being BJP national presidents too. Similarly, the party has appointed me the BJP state unit chief, not because I am an MLA, but as a party worker. The BJP always encourages and promotes dedicated and committed party workers. As far as my being an MLA is concerned, I do my best for the development of my constituency and the welfare of its people.