Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who previously held the office of Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh for four terms, has embarked on his journey as the Union Home Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. On Sunday morning, accompanied by his spouse, he departed for Bhopal by train.

This marks Chouhan’s inaugural trip since joining the Modi-led cabinet. Departing from Delhi in the morning, he is expected to arrive at Bhopal station by 2:15 PM via the Shatabdi Express. Upon his arrival, he will be greeted by BJP members and supporters.

In anticipation of his return, the BJP, alongside various social and employee organizations, has organized an elaborate reception at over 65 locations in Bhopal. During his journey, Chouhan was seen engaging with passengers and posing for photographs with children. When the train halted at Morena Railway Station, hundreds of his supporters welcomed him with garlands and flowers.

Chouhan took to the social media platform X to announce his visit to Bhopal and praised the advancements of Indian Railways under the Modi administration.

“Today, I am traveling aboard the ‘Shatabdi Express’ from New Delhi. The journey has been exceedingly pleasant. Under the leadership of Honorable Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji and the vision of Railway Minister Shri @AshwiniVaishnaw ji, Indian Railways is undergoing transformative changes across all facets of management and operations. The railways are persistently evolving to cater to the dynamic needs of New India, ensuring economical, safe, and comfortable travel for passengers,” Chouhan remarked.

Local BJP workers are expected to extend a grand reception to Chouhan at stations such as Morena, Gwalior, and Bina, according to a party statement. The former Madhya Pradesh CM, now serving as the Union Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, emphasized the continuous efforts towards farmers’ welfare under the Modi government, highlighting the interconnected nature of agriculture and rural development.

In a conversation with ANI, Chouhan stated, “Farmer welfare schemes have been persistently implemented for a decade under PM Narendra Modi’s leadership. We must advance these initiatives… Rural development and agriculture are intertwined… Farmers are a top priority for the NDA government and PM Narendra Modi… PM Narendra Modi is committed to empowering women, a goal that aligns with my own life’s mission.”

Bhopal BJP workers will welcome Chouhan on platform number 1 of Bhopal railway station. Minister Vishwas Sarang will be present on the 80 feet road from Bajaria, Vidisha MLA Mukesh Tandon on the overbridge, BJP Minority Morcha between Musafir Khana and Masjid, and the Sikh community in the vegetable market, as stated in the release.

Additional welcomes will be extended by Kurwai MLA Harisingh Sapre, Minister Karan Singh Verma, and Durgesh Soni of Swarn Samaj. Sironj MLA Umakant Sharma, Jagdis Yadav of the State Teachers Association, former PWD and Law Minister Rampal Singh, and the Gurjar community of Madhya Pradesh will also be among those welcoming Chouhan.

Chouhan assumed his role as Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s new Cabinet on June 11. He also holds the portfolio for the Ministry of Rural Development. This marks the first time in his over three-decade-long political career that the senior BJP leader has become a Union cabinet minister.

Notably, Chouhan won the Vidisha Lok Sabha seat in Madhya Pradesh, defeating Congress’ Pratapbhanu Sharma by a margin of 8,21,408 votes. A six-time MP, Chouhan possesses extensive administrative experience, having served as Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh from 2005 until the 2023 state assembly elections, except for a 15-month period when the Congress assumed power following the 2018 assembly polls.