BJP to showcase Modi, Chauhan

2 Mar 2009

NEW DELHI: The BJP plans to showcase Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi and Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan as development icons in its election campaign in a big way.

If the `Gujarat model' of governance projects BJP's vibrant development agenda that is synonymous with high growth through industrialisation, the party has chosen Chouhan's `Madhya Pradesh model' to highlight the grassroots level development programmes that seem to have touched a chord with the electorate, as seen in the recent assembly elections.

The two chief ministers have emerged as leaders who stand for the party's prime ministerial candidate L K Advani's definition of "good governance", complimenting each other in their respective styles of functioning and areas of development.

While high profile Modi, serving his third term as CM, has come to represent industrial growth driven by a strong and efficient administration, Chouhan, barely two years in office, has generated the image of a "doer" who has delivered by getting down to the ground level, sharing the people's burdens. BJP stands for both, is the message that Advani is preparing to take to the people.

At a time when the impact of economic slowdown has hit the general mood, BJP plans to hit the campaign trail with a two-pronged message - revitalising economy through industrial growth as well as ensuring development through social and sustainable programmes involving the lowest sections of society.

Therefore, the party plans to reach out with an image that includes both - Modi's picture declaring ‘Today vibrant Gujarat, tomorrow vibrant India’ alongside a picture of Chouhan lending a helping hand by carrying mud on his head during a de-silting programme of Bhopal lake.

With both Modi and Chouhan seen as "doers", the party will try to exploit the two together, to project that its development agenda involves all sections, with a leadership that is "capable and people-friendly", has "confidence and humility" needed to achieve its goals of a "strong, prosperous and self-confident India".

While the party realises the utility of projecting the two different images - of Modi and Chouhan - where they seem complimentary to each other, it may also project one over the other, depending on their acceptability in different regions.