The issue of local Bharatiya Janata Party leaders emerging on the national scene has recently been a contentious one within the party. And no one has stronger views on this issue than Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who has been at the centre of it. Earlier in the month, Modi visited Chhattisgarh and addressed a gathering at the state’s foundation day function. By way of an appeal for re-electing the BJP government in the state, which goes to the polls next year, Modi urged people not to allow Chief Minister Raman Singh to leave the state. Chhattisgarh leaders, however, read the statement as restricting Singh from emerging as a leader in national politics. So earlier this week, Singh returned the compliment. When he addressed a public meeting in Gujarat, which goes to the polls next month, Singh urged people to re-elect the BJP in the state and ensure that Modi heads the government again.
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