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As BJP’s potential prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi is seen missing from party’s campaign posters that dotted skylines of Bhopal, rumours have gripped the capital town of Madhya Pradesh that rivalry is simmering between Shivraj Singh Chouhan and him.
Before Chouhan embarks upon his “Jan Ashirwad Yatra” today to seek third term in office, the BJP campaign posters carryed pictures of veteran leader L K Advani, party chief Rajnath Singh, Sushma Swaraj and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. However Modi’s picture is seen missing.
On earlier occasions, it was seen in a veiled attack from Chouhan on Modi in certain circles and that rift between Modi and Chouhan is widening when the latter tweeted on Uttrakhand tragedy, "Apart from rescuing pilgrims from MP, our rescue teams have rescued 1,810 pilgrims from various states without any discrimination." In another tweet Chouhan had said, "I would re-emphasise the fact that there shouldn't be any politics in such a disaster. We all should work together to rebuild Uttarakhand."
Chouhan had also said that everyone should be interested in rebuilding the state (Uttrakhand) and avoid indulging in politics at times of disaster. This was seen as Chouhan taking a dig at Modi, who faced criticism that he claimed to save 15,000 Gujaratis from recent Uttarakhand disaster.
On another recent occasion, veteran leader of his party L K Advani gave more credit to Chouhan over Modi for the developmental work in their respective states. Advani, in a party meet in Gwalior had said, Chouhan had made more efforts to give a facelift to the state which was under-developed unlike Modi who had an already developed Gujarat when he had taken over.
This was also seen as Advani patting Chouhan’s back and downplay Modi’s achievements.
Later, clarifying what Advani had said Chouhan told media that he stood number three, Narendra Modi at number One and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh at number two.”
According to state party president, Narendra Singh Tomar, Chouhan will cover all 224 assembly constituencies and a length of nearly 8,000 km. The Yatra is expected to culminate in a mega congregation of party workers to be organized on September 25.
Chouhan has an image of soft and suave among political arena, had told BS few years back in an interview that Modi was a leader and he was a party worker. Also in presence of yoga guru, he had said Modi as his elder brother.
