1. Introduction
Bhawna Bohra (b. 24 August 1982) is a prominent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) politician, serving as the MLA for Pandariya in Chhattisgarh since December 2023. Known for her grassroots activism, welfare focus, and notable legislative engagement, she represents a growing war chest in regional politics.
2. Early Life & Personal Background
Born and raised in Ranveerpur, located in Kawardha district (now Kabirdham), Bhawna Bohra grew up with a strong connection to her community. Married to Manish Bohra and blessed with two children, she holds a Master’s in Social Work from IGNOU (2023), blending personal experience with academic training (Wikipedia). Her roots in Pandariya and dedication to local causes reflect values of empathy, community, and civic responsibility.
3. Academic & Professional Journey
Bohra successfully pursued a postgraduate degree in social work, earning it the same year she entered public office (Votesmart India). Professionally, she is engaged in business and agriculture, a background that aligns well with her constituency’s demographic and rural priorities (Wikipedia, MyNeta).
4. Political Ascent & 2023 Election
In her debut political run, Bohra was nominated by the BJP for the Pandariya assembly seat during the December 2023 state elections. She secured a commanding victory with 120,847 votes, defeating Congress rival Neelu Chandravanshi by a margin of roughly 26,398 votes (Wikipedia). This win marked a significant shift in the constituency, which had been previously represented by Mamta Chandrakar of the Congress (Wikipedia).
5. Legislative Performance & Recognition
Since taking office, Bohra has been one of the most active legislators:
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Attendance: 97.9% in assembly sessions, far above the state average of 89.9% (Indicivil, PRS Legislative Research).
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Questions raised: 158—double the average of 79 (PRS Legislative Research).
Her diligence and impactful public engagement earned her the “Utkrisht Vidhayak Samman-2024”, awarded by Governor Ramen Deka in July 2025, making her one of only a few first-term MLAs to be recognized (The Hitavada).
6. Key Initiatives & Public Welfare Projects
a. Clean Drinking Water Campaign
In May 2025, MLA Bohra spearheaded a water tanker distribution drive—procuring 10 tankers at a cost of ₹25 lakh from her MLA fund. These tankers provide clean drinking water to 12 remote, forest-border villages that earlier depended on polluted rivulets (The Hitavada). She also initiated infrastructure projects—CC roads and community halls—in Birhuldih and Majgaon worth ₹42.5 lakh (The Hitavada).
b. Kawardha Accident Relief
After a tragic road accident in Kawardha (May 2024), Bohra personally met bereaved families and pledged educational and marital support for 24 affected children (Deccan Chronicle).
c. Financial Transparency
Public records via MyNeta show Bohra's self-declared assets exceed ₹33.86 crore, with liabilities near ₹6.04 crore—indicating substantial financial transparency (Votesmart India).
7. Media Presence & Public Engagement
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Her Instagram handle @bhawnabohrabjp boasts over 117K followers, where she actively shares updates from assembly sessions, public work, and events (Instagram).
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In public forums and interviews, Bohra has challenged officials on impact issues—such as PR spending irregularities in state advertising—highlighting her profile as a straight‑talking representative (Votesmart India).
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A notable media moment was in a YouTube-highlighted assembly exchange, where she held her ground during an interpellation four months ago (YouTube).
8. Recent Controversies & Challenges
i. Advertising Expenditure Allegation (June 2025)
Bohra alleged that the Public Relations Department doubled its ad spend compared to the previous year, flagging potential misuse of public funds (newsbuddy.co.in). Though officials have yet to respond officially, the claim triggered both public debate and scrutiny.
ii. Assembly Dispute (Late 2024)
According to regional reports, she engaged in a verbal confrontation with a Congress MLA during a tense budget session in December 2024. Bohra's assertiveness was both criticized and applauded: some saw it as maintaining decorum, while others viewed it as overly confrontational for a newcomer (Indicivil).
9. Public Perception & Impact
Supporters praise Bohra for being accessible, responsive, and dedicated—especially in rural and tribal pockets of Pandariya. Critics argue her direct approach could alienate party peers, though her strong 97.9% attendance and legislative output cement her image as a serious policymaker (PRS Legislative Research).
Top Interesting Facts 💡
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First-Time MLA, First Award – Among first-term MLAs, she’s one of the few to receive the prestigious "Utkrisht Vidhayak Samman-2024" (The Hitavada).
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High Parliamentary Engagement – With 158 questions and near-perfect attendance, she ranks top in assembly participation (PRS Legislative Research).
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Large Asset Base – Declared net worth of ₹33.86 crore with zero criminal cases (Votesmart India).
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Water for Forest Villages – Dedicated 10 water tankers for underserved remote areas in May 2025 (The Hitavada).
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Adoption of Orphans – Took charge of educational and marriage support for 24 children impacted by the Kawardha accident (Deccan Chronicle).
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Educational Commitment – Earned her MA in Social Work in the same year of her political debut (Votesmart India).
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Strong Digital Reach – Instagram followers crossing 117K, demonstrating growing public outreach (Instagram).
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Bold in Oversight – Publicly challenged PR ad spending, showcasing her watchdog role (Indicivil).
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BJP’s Electoral Asset – Won Pandariya seat with a 26,000+ vote margin on her first attempt (Wikipedia).
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Community Builder – Has actively pursued infrastructure upgrades across remote villages.
FAQs
Q1. When did Bhawna Bohra become MLA?
She was elected as the MLA for Pandariya on 3 December 2023, marking her debut in the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly (Wikipedia).
Q2. What are her educational qualifications?
She holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from IGNOU, completed in 2023 (Votesmart India).
Q3. Which party does she represent?
Bhohawna Bohra is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) (Wikipedia).
Q4. What has she done for her constituency?
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Distributed 10 water tankers (May 2025) for forest villages
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Built CC roads & community halls
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Supports 24 children from the Kawardha accident
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Raised support calls on PR fund misuse.
Q5. Any controversies linked to her?
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Alleged misuse of government advertising funds.
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Faced criticism for a heated exchange in the legislative assembly late in 2024.
Q6. What awards has she received?
Received Utkrisht Vidhayak Samman-2024, a distinguished accolade for outstanding legislative service (The Hitavada, Deccan Chronicle, newsbuddy.co.in, The Hitavada).
Q7. Where can I follow her updates?
She is active on Instagram as @bhawnabohrabjp (117K+ followers) and often appears in regional news and assembly coverage (Instagram).
Q8. Does she have a criminal record?
No. According to her 2023 affidavit, she has zero criminal cases, and liabilities are ₹6.04 crore, while assets are ₹33.86 crore (Votesmart India).
Final Thoughts
Bhawna Bohra’s journey—from a grassroots leader rooted in social work to a high-performing first-term MLA—is emblematic of emerging leadership in Indian state politics. With high attendance and intervention levels in legislative affairs, combined with welfare projects like water supply and orphan support, she has established credibility and momentum. Recognition with an early career award and her vocal oversight makes her one to track. As she builds her political capital, her future trajectory will be keenly observed by both supporters and skeptics.
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