Modi shuns campaigning in UP

In what is being seen as an indication of differences in the second generation leadership of the BJP, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has reportedly shown unwillingness in participating in the Uttar Pradesh election campaign.

Recently, BJP had announced that star campaigners like Modi would be roped in to campaign in UP.

But barely a week left for the first phase, the Gujarat chief minister has expressed his unwillingness to do the same.

Officially, the CM has informed the party high command that as he’s busy in the Sadhbhavna programme till February 12, he would not be available for the campaign.

However, party insiders said that the delay was more to do with his apparent ‘annoyance’ at the re-entry of Sanjay Joshi into the BJP. Sources said that with Joshi playing a crucial role in the party’s campaign, Modi was not willing to get involved in the campaign process. “They have been bitter rivals. Joshi camp believes that Modi was instrumental in not just in the circulation of the sleaze CD which allegedly featured Joshi, but was also at the forefront of getting him ousted from the party,’’ commented a source.
And now with Joshi holding the fort in Lucknow, it was getting uneasy for the Modi to campaign.

The BJP leaders in Gujarat have avoided to make any statement. But senior party leader, L K Advani who was in Gujarat on Tuesday denied any rift and said that there were many other star campaigners in the UP campaign.

“There are no differences in the party. Every leader is going as per his own convenience as there are other star campaigners in the party. I am an optimistic man”, he said.
He also denied that he was himself passively campaigning for the party in UP.

“That’s not true. I have been to Uttarakhand and Punjab and from February 4, will be travelling extensively in UP for the campaign,’’ said Advani.