New Delhi: In an exclusive interview to NDTV, the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh says he's troubled by "the loose talk" over who will be the BJP's nominee for the country's top job. Here's the full transcript of the interview:
NDTV: Congratulating for Madhya Pradesh's fastest growth. But why do you think the media focus... the national headlines are always on Gujarat and Bihar? Madhya Pradesh and its growth story isn't really featured in national headlines.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan: I blame myself for that because we did not think that the country should know about state's development. Madhya Pradesh hasn't been projected like the way it should have but now the country knows that MP is developing rapidly. If you have seen the figures for growth - not just for one year - during the 11th Five-Year plan, our average growth was 10.20%. It's in double digit since five years and after that 11.98%, then 10%... it was a big thing but now people are noticing.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan: To compare MP with Gujarat is not right. Gujarat has its own situations and demands. MP is a poor state but we are working on it. It wasn't easy for a state like MP to excel that's why we invested in infrastructure and agriculture where we have fared well. We are getting industry as well. We are working on skill development, health and education. We need to work a lot on health and education, I'm worried, but we are working on it. We need to pay attention in all areas.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan: I would like to say I never thought of parliamentary board. I don't have separate supporters than BJP. BJP supporters are my supporters. I believe party will decide who needs to stay where. My only aim is to develop MP, this is my passion apart from this I don't think of anything else.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan: I don't have that good personality (laughs). I keep a low profile, I enjoy delivering my duties.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan: I believe that the forum in BJP will decide who will be the PM. If every person will give his or her take on this, they will spoil party's image. Gradually, it (talks about PM) becomes a joke. This prime minister or that prime minister, we cannot damage our party's image by giving such statements. If somebody wants to express, go to the concerned forum, parliamentary board and give advice there. We cannot weaken our party by giving our opinions. Where it is necessary we give our opinions.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan: When you are saying MP is not projecting itself, I thought I should come on Twitter so that the people know what is going on in MP. We have started with minimum requirements.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan: No, no... we haven't finalised anything as of now.
NDTV: Thank you for joining us tonight and breaking your silence.
NDTV: Congratulating for Madhya Pradesh's fastest growth. But why do you think the media focus... the national headlines are always on Gujarat and Bihar? Madhya Pradesh and its growth story isn't really featured in national headlines.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan: I blame myself for that because we did not think that the country should know about state's development. Madhya Pradesh hasn't been projected like the way it should have but now the country knows that MP is developing rapidly. If you have seen the figures for growth - not just for one year - during the 11th Five-Year plan, our average growth was 10.20%. It's in double digit since five years and after that 11.98%, then 10%... it was a big thing but now people are noticing.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan: To compare MP with Gujarat is not right. Gujarat has its own situations and demands. MP is a poor state but we are working on it. It wasn't easy for a state like MP to excel that's why we invested in infrastructure and agriculture where we have fared well. We are getting industry as well. We are working on skill development, health and education. We need to work a lot on health and education, I'm worried, but we are working on it. We need to pay attention in all areas.
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Shivraj Singh Chouhan: I would like to say I never thought of parliamentary board. I don't have separate supporters than BJP. BJP supporters are my supporters. I believe party will decide who needs to stay where. My only aim is to develop MP, this is my passion apart from this I don't think of anything else.
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Shivraj Singh Chouhan: I don't have that good personality (laughs). I keep a low profile, I enjoy delivering my duties.
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Shivraj Singh Chouhan: I believe that the forum in BJP will decide who will be the PM. If every person will give his or her take on this, they will spoil party's image. Gradually, it (talks about PM) becomes a joke. This prime minister or that prime minister, we cannot damage our party's image by giving such statements. If somebody wants to express, go to the concerned forum, parliamentary board and give advice there. We cannot weaken our party by giving our opinions. Where it is necessary we give our opinions.
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Shivraj Singh Chouhan: When you are saying MP is not projecting itself, I thought I should come on Twitter so that the people know what is going on in MP. We have started with minimum requirements.
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Shivraj Singh Chouhan: No, no... we haven't finalised anything as of now.
NDTV: Thank you for joining us tonight and breaking your silence.
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