Even after more than a week since the announcement of the results in the recent round of assembly elections, the newly appointed chief ministers for all five states have been identified. Notably, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took extra time to reveal the chief ministers, primarily because it was undergoing a significant leadership transition in the Hindi heartland states. A quick examination of the castes of the new chief ministers indicates that the party has strategically crafted a diverse caste coalition, with an apparent focus on the 2024 elections. In August, HT established a comprehensive database of chief ministers’ castes in 20 major states and Delhi. By comparing the current caste composition of chief ministers with historical data, interesting trends emerge.
