Narendra Modi and Gujarat Governor Kamla Beniwal share stage at a Teacher's Day function in Gandhinagar
Gujarat Chief Minister
Narendra Modi shared the stage this morning with the state's governor, Kamla Beniwal; the two officials have been at war for several years.
They were paired to address students in Gandhinagar on the occasion of Teacher's Day. And though their dysfunctional relationship is well-documented, for students, the point of interest was Mr Modi's likely selection as the prime ministerial candidate of the BJP.
A class10 boy asked if the 62-year-old would return soon to address the students as Prime Minister. "We shouldn't dream about becoming something but doing something. I have been given a mandate till 2017 by people of Gujarat and will continue to serve you," was Mr Modi's smooth response. He was re-elected in December for a fourth term as chief minister.
He also seemed comfortable in a short conversation with Ms Beniwal. Earlier this week, she sent back a new law mooted by his government and cleared by the legislature that all but eliminates the governor's say in selecting the state's Lokayukta or ombudsman.
In August 2011, the Governor chose retired judge RA Mehta as the Lokayutka for Gujarat, a post that has been vacant now for over eight years.
Mr Modi objected, saying his cabinet had not been consulted and fought the appointment in different courts, till he lost his case in the Supreme Court.
After that, he pushed through the new law that puts a committee headed by the chief minister in charge of appointing the public authority; the role of the governor and the Chief Justice of the state has been marginalized.