BJP will win with thumping majority in Gujarat: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

BHOPAL: Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who returned from party poll duty in Gujarat on Monday, feels BJP is going to win with a “thumping majority”.
In an exclusive interview to TOIon the eve of 12 years of his rule in Madhya Pradesh, the CM said the work done PM Narendra Modi when he was CM of Gujarat will continue to pay dividend and that Madhya Pradesh had played a significant role in helping the neighbouring state flourish.
“For the people of Gujarat, Narendrabhai is their ‘Gaurav’. The work he carried out during his three terms as chief minister is commendable, and changed the face of Gujarat,” Chouhan said.
Citing an example, the MP CM said that Sardar Sarovar project has been a game changer for both Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. “After I became chief minister, I continuously deliberated with Narendrabhai, when he was my counterpart there. The Sardar Sarovar project on Narmada was beneficial for both states as MP was to gain in electricity and Gujarat to get water,” Chouhan said, remarking that SSP is the “lifeline of Gujarat”.
Chouhan had been to Mehsana, near Gandhinagar, on Monday to accompany BJP nominee Surendra Patel for filing of nomination. Asked if a resurgent Congress would pose any challenge, he said: “Congress is all talk. BJP is connected to the grassroots level,” Chouhan said.
For the people of Gujarat, Narendrabhai is their ‘Gaurav’. The work he carried out during his three terms as chief minister is commendable, and changed the face of Gujarat.

Chouhan hailed BJP national president Amit Shah for his organisational and managerial skills. “With due respect to past party presidents, the amount of hard work Amitbhai does for the party is unmatched. Congress can never match him in perseverance or in reaching out to the masses,” said Chouhan, adding: “Rahulji is busy seeking replies from the Prime Minister.”
Asked about the election at home in 2018, the MP chief minister said that the party has given him the go ahead to lead the campaign. His focus for 2018 would be jobs for youths and better days for farmers.
Recalling his early days as CM, he counted irrigation as his big achievement. “When I took over, only 6.5 lakh hectares land was irrigated. Now, irrigation covers 40 lakh hectare farmland and farmers can grow three crops a year. “Ever since I took over 12 years back, my focus was on irrigation since 65% of people in Madhya Pradesh rely on farming,” he said. “Ever since I took over 12 years back, my focus was on irrigation since 65% of people in Madhya Pradesh rely on farming,” he said.
Asked about the growing unrest among farmers in the state, the CM said that his government has always been with farmers. ” We are rolling out schemes, like Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana, so that they get the best price for their produce. What happened then (the farmer agitation in June) was a temporary one,” he said.