Party leaders skip key meeting as Scindia takes centre stage in Gwalior, deepening internal rift.
Scindia’s Return Ignites Political Firestorm in Gwalior
What began as a routine review meeting at the Gwalior Collectorate turned into a high-stakes political spectacle when Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia made a surprise appearance, ending a year-and-a-half-long political silence in the city he once ruled like a fortress.
Officially, the meeting was led by Minister-in-Charge Tulsi Silavat, but Scindia stole the spotlight — both literally and symbolically. The no-show of Gwalior BJP MP Bharat Singh Kushwaha, a known loyalist of Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar, added to the drama.
BJP vs BJP: Open Faction Fight in Gwalior
The Collectorate event came just days after Scindia’s grand welcome in Morena, the stronghold of Narendra Singh Tomar — setting the stage for a very public rift within the BJP. Insiders confirm that the party’s Gwalior unit is now split into two camps:
The Scindia Camp:
- Jyotiraditya Scindia
- Energy Minister Pradhuman Singh Tomar
- Minister Narayan Singh Kushwaha
- Mayor Shobha Sikarwar
- Congress-turned-BJP leaders rallying around “Maharaj”
The Tomar-Kushwaha Camp:
- Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar
- Gwalior MP Bharat Singh Kushwaha
- Select local loyalists keeping distance from Scindia’s comeback
What Triggered the Rift?
Scindia’s political reappearance comes after being sidelined by Bharat Singh Kushwaha, who had once said:
“He is MP of Guna-Shivpuri, not Gwalior.”
That public snub reportedly led Scindia to retreat from local politics — until now.
Behind the scenes, both the BJP central leadership and the Chief Minister are believed to have nudged Scindia to reclaim control of Gwalior-Chambal — once his impregnable Congress-era bastion.
Gwalior’s Development Crisis: Political Fuel
The spark? Gwalior’s civic collapse.
Energy Minister Pradhuman Singh Tomar, a key Scindia loyalist, declared:
“Gwalior has turned into hell.”
Even after being silenced in a cabinet meeting, Tomar continued to criticize the local administration. Minister Tulsi Silavat backed him, indicating cracks in the BJP’s internal power structure.
Meanwhile, Scindia’s four-day Gwalior tour and his review of development works already checked by MP Kushwaha were seen as deliberate assertions of authority.
Infighting Spills Online
The Scindia-Tomar feud has now gone digital:
- Sonu Mangal (Tomar loyalist) vs Dinesh Sharma (Scindia supporter)
- Public clashes on social media reflect deeper unrest within the BJP’s Gwalior unit
Scindia’s Message: ‘Maharaj Era’ Is Back?
At Murar Girls College, Tomar himself admitted:
“Maharaj, Gwalior’s wheel of development has stopped. Only you can lead it forward.”
Scindia’s recent moves — the Morena tour, Collectorate takeover, and snubs to rival factions — strongly signal that he is reasserting dominance. Loyalists believe the “Maharaj Era” may be returning to Gwalior politics.
Key Takeaways:
- Jyotiraditya Scindia re-enters Gwalior politics with force
- BJP visibly split between Scindia and Tomar–Kushwaha factions
- Development issues fuel intra-party clashes
- Political messaging, symbolism, and power optics dominate narrative
- Social media reflects escalating tensions
