MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan may be key for BJP in UP polls

Bhopal: The ruling BJP in Madhya Pradesh is agog with speculations regarding the party high command giving chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan a key role in the saffron campaign for the upcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh.

Union chemical and fertilisers minister Ananth Kumar has given further credence to the talks by saying, “BJP should project Mr Chouhan as role model for chief minister in the country.”

Mr Kumar was speaking on the occasion of inauguration of “Digi-Dhan” fair, a programme organised to promote cashless system in the state, here on Thursday.

The Union minister showered praises on Mr Chouhan, giving him credit for developing MP from a “bimaru” (sick) state to a frontline state in the country.

Mr Chouhan had also steered the party to a surprise victory in Shahdol Lok Sabha by-elections, held eleven days after the Centre’s decision to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. BJP here however dismissed the speculations of Mr Chouhan being given a key role in electioneering in UP elections.

“There is no basis in the rumours. The chief minister’s role in BJP campaign in UP is most likely to be confined to his addressing a few public meetings”, party spokesman here Rajnish Agrawal told this newspaper.

According to him, BJP leaders from MP including the chief minister may be roped in by the Central leadership to campaign for the party in UP polls to sway votes in at least two dozen assembly seats in the northern state bordering Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand regions of MP.