Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Tuesday, 26 May 2026, publicly endorsed Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's book 'Apnapan', calling it a source of inspiration for every section of society and urging all to read it. The book chronicles Chouhan's experiences alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi and reflects on Modi's leadership style and sensitivity.

Context

Sharma shared his endorsement on X, writing that Chouhan had 'beautifully woven his invaluable experiences and journey of national service with the Prime Minister into the book Apnapan.' He described the book as one that 'reflects the Prime Minister's leadership style and sensitivity' and added that it is 'dedicated to service and good governance.'

The post was accompanied by a video and carried the hashtag #ApnapanBook, signalling a coordinated push to amplify the book's reach within the BJP ecosystem.

Policy Backdrop

Shivraj Singh Chouhan served as Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh for over a decade and a half before being inducted into the Union Cabinet as Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in June 2024, following the formation of the BJP-led NDA government. His long association with Modi-era governance gives the book its central narrative thread of 'seva' (service) and 'sushasan' (good governance).

The themes Sharma highlighted — leadership, sensitivity, and national service — are consistent with the broader BJP governance vocabulary that senior party leaders have consistently promoted across states since 2014.

Stakeholders and Impact

The primary audience for Apnapan, as framed by Sharma's endorsement, is the general reading public as well as BJP workers and cadre who look to such texts for ideological and motivational grounding. Senior leaders publicly recommending books of this nature reinforces the party's internal communication and strengthens the narrative of continuity between central and state leadership.

Such endorsements from sitting chief ministers carry institutional weight, lending the book visibility beyond the party's core base and positioning it as a mainstream political-biographical read.

What's Next

The endorsement from Bhajan Lal Sharma is likely part of a broader wave of recommendations from BJP chief ministers and Union ministers as the book circulates. Similar public endorsements by other senior party leaders in the coming weeks would further cement Apnapan's profile as a significant title within the party's current political moment. Whether formal launch events or reading campaigns follow will indicate the scale of the coordinated push behind the book.