Chouhan’s closest rival for the seat is seen as former Lok Sabha MP and veteran Congress leader, Pratap Bhanu Sharma. The Vidisha constituency is considered Chouhan’s stronghold, where he secured victories in the 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2004 Lok Sabha elections. He has consistently faced off against Congress candidates in this constituency.
The Lok Sabha constituency has also been represented by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj in 2009 and 2014.