Shivraj Singh Chouhan, BJP leader

Despite having been in power for 15 years, Chouhan put up a credible show in Madhya Pradesh in what was a stiff contest. His mass connect and welfare programmes explain his appeal. But agrarian distress, local anti incumbency and persistent unemployment did him in. Chouhan will, however, be extremely important in the BJP because he one of its most experienced administrators. The party will also depend on him to retain in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls as many of the 26 of the 29 seats it currently holds from MP.