BJP state chief Nandkumar Singh Chauhan was left embarrassed on Monday when he was unable to list the five major development works of the Jabalpur municipal corporation in the last 10 years.
Chauhan, who was in Jabalpur for his second poll-related visit, had clearly not done his homework before addressing reporters at a press conference.
Coming to his rescue, Chauhan's deputy and Jabalpur MP Rakesh Singh intervened and replied to the queries of journalists. The scribes, however, were far from impressed.
When asked whether he was satisfied with the development works carried out in the city, Singh responded that the people wanted more work to be done and there was no limit to carry out development works.
To a query on discontentment over ticket distribution, Chauhan scoffed at the media reports, saying the BJP workers stood united. He reiterated the BJP would win mayoral posts and gain majority in all the four corporations of Bhopal, Jabalpur, Chhindwara and Indore. Polls will be held for the four civic bodies on January 31.
Chauhan defended tenure of two Jabalpur mayors Sushila Singh and Prabhat Sahu. "Whatever developmental works they had done will enable the party to secure mandate for a third consecutive term," he asserted.
{{/usCountry}}Chauhan defended tenure of two Jabalpur mayors Sushila Singh and Prabhat Sahu. "Whatever developmental works they had done will enable the party to secure mandate for a third consecutive term," he asserted.
{{/usCountry}}Not satisfied, the reporters shot back asking why Sahu and Singh were not involved in the BJP's campaign for the Jabalpur civic polls. Chauhan responded the two leaders were busy with other leaders in preparing the poll manifesto.
"Earlier, there was the UPA government at the Centre while there was a BJP government in the state. But despite difficulties, the two mayors managed to carry out developmental works in Jabalpur. Now the situation has changed. At the centre, we have the Narendra Modi government... It will definitely give twice the impetus to developmental works in the city if the BJP retains power," Chauhan said.
He also expressed the confidence that the results of the Jabalpur Cantonment board polls would have no impact on the civic polls as the board elections are not held on party lines.