Hemant Khandelwal was set to become new Madhya Pradesh BJP president
Betul MLA Hemant Khandelwal, the only candidate to file nomination, was set to be unopposed as the new Madhya Pradesh BJP state president, with an announcement expected Tuesday in Bhopal.
Bhopal. Vindhya Satta
As part of an organisational reshuffle in the Bharatiya Janata Party, Madhya Pradesh was about to get a new state president. According to firm information from party sources, Betul MLA Hemant Khandelwal was almost certain to become state president unopposed. The nomination process for the post was complete, and only Khandelwal filed a nomination. With no other contender, his formal selection was now a mere formality.
His name was to be officially announced at the state executive meeting to be held in Bhopal on Tuesday. At the nomination, many senior party leaders were present as proposers, including Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Virendra Khatik, VD Sharma, Prahlad Patel, Deputy CM Rajendra Shukla and Jagdish Devda.
Born in Mathura, political life tied to Betul
Hemant Khandelwal was originally from Mathura in Uttar Pradesh. He was born on September 3, 1964. He drew his inspiration for politics and public service from his father, the late Vijay Kumar Khandelwal, a senior BJP leader and former MP. After his father’s death, Hemant began playing an active role in public life.
Active in politics since 2008: from MP to MLA
Khandelwal’s active political career began in 2008, when a by-election was held for the Betul Lok Sabha seat following his father’s death. The BJP fielded him, and he entered Parliament by defeating Congress candidate Sukhdev Panse. In 2013 he won the assembly election and became an MLA. He lost to Congress’s Nilay Daga in 2018 but made a comeback in 2023, defeating Daga to become MLA again.
Strong hold in the organisation: from treasurer to Vichar Nyas president
Khandelwal held important responsibilities not only as a people’s representative but within the party organisation. He had been treasurer of the Madhya Pradesh BJP and was then president of the Kushabhau Thakre Vichar Nyas. Within the organisation he was regarded as highly trustworthy for his administrative ability and financial transparency.
A strong background in public service
Over his long political career, Khandelwal maintained a connection with the public. He worked on many issues related to roads, drinking water, health, education and agriculture in his constituency. Local people and party workers appreciated his role in the development of Betul district.
Personal life: industrialist, farmer and family responsibilities
Khandelwal studied B.Com and LLB. He was also a successful industrialist and farmer. He married Ritu Khandelwal on February 12, 1990, and they had a son and a daughter. He was carrying forward the political legacy of his father, the late Vijay Kumar Khandelwal, while his mother Kanti Khandelwal still lived with the family.
Khandelwal’s elevation as Madhya Pradesh BJP president signalled experience and stability within the organisation, and also reflected the party’s emphasis on public service and grassroots politics. It remained to be seen what direction he would take the organisation in his new role.
