Chronicle Reporter, Bhopal, Shivraj Singh Chouhan was the state chief minister for 13 years but his party was voted out of power in the recent assembly elections. But Shivraj is unable to come to terms with the reality. His work style, statements indicate as if he is still the CM.
Shivraj has been giving such indications after resigning from the CM post. Recently he issued a statement that he would start touring the villages from January 15 to take stock of loss to the crops due to fog. He said he would meet peasants in villages hit by fog. Earlier he had announced that he would meet farmers in Rajgarh and Aagar districts. However the tour was cancelled on account of elections for leader of opposition.
In political circles it is being said that Shivraj is an ordinary MLA then why is he so eager to meet farmers. It is being said that he is unable to forget the CM style yatras undertaken when crops are damaged due to any natural calamity. It is well-known that farmer factor is one of the main causes of Shivraj’s defeat. BJP did not perform well in rural areas.
Assiduously working on his ‘son of the soil’ image, the soft-spoken leader easily identified himself with the socio-economic concerns of farmers, villagers and commoners. He maintained a low profile, ignoring comparisons with Prime Minister Narendra Modi but concentrated on MP.
Recently he visited ‘ran baseras’ (shelters) to take stock of conditions there in such style as if he were still the CM of the state. The way he walks on the roads, blesses party workers and boasts ‘Tiger abhi zinda hae’ at his residence—-all this show his CM like work style.
It is being said that due to these reasons the central leadership did not appoint him leader of opposition. But inside the assembly, his demeanor and work style was like leader of opposition. The real LoP Gopal Bhargava was cabinet minister under Shivraj. So Shivraj never gave precedence to Bhargava in the House! He also led the BJP boycott. Bhargava appeared secondary. This matter is also being discussed in political circles.
Aabhar Yatra not taken out
After BJP’s defeat in state, CM Chouhan had announced that he would take out ‘aabhar yatra’ and express gratitude towards the people. However, the Centre banned his yatra. Since then speculations were rife in the political circles that he would not be given the post of leader of opposition. However, Shivraj has also made it clear that he would remain active in the state and would not go to the Centre.