Chhindwara model to be Kamal's calling card

Chief Minister Kamal Nath has indicated that the much-talked-about ‘Chhindwara model’ will be his calling card in the Lok Sabha election for the Congress’s fight against the BJP in Madhya Pradesh.

He unveiled broad contours of the ‘Chhindwara model’ of development that primarily hinges on an efficient delivery system without publicity on Monday.

Nine-time Lok Sabha member of Chhindwara, Kamal Nath has had extensive interactions with officers, MLAs and common people in his bastion in the last two days.

“We will make Chhindwara model of development of the state”, he told officials in a meeting on second day of his visit to his home town.

He recalled in the meeting that in the past he had a highway built and trains connected to Chhindwara but he neither announced these projects nor inaugurated them after completion.

The chief minister reiterated that in future, too, he will neither make promises nor announcements. “When works will be done every one will get to see them”, he remarked.

In a clean break with the practice in the BJP government, the chief minister has put the onus of announcing development works and ensuring their completion on field officers.

In the chief minister’s presence Chhindwara collector Shri Niwas Sharma promised 33 development works worth Rs 268 crore in a rally on Sunday which was organised to express gratitude to the people for supporting the Congress.

Elaborating on the Chhindwara model, Kamal Nath said that when he conceptualises a project or invites investments in industries, his primary focus is on employment.

Secondly, he added, without strengthening delivery system any project or scheme makes little sense.

During the just concluded Assembly elections, Chhindwara-versus Budni model of development was a major talking point.

Former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan represents Budni Assembly seat.

The Congress taunted the “Budni model of development’ as epitome of hollow promises and a lot of publicity.

The Congress cited an official survey report which says Budni seat in Sehore district has more than 60% population below poverty line.

Kamal Nath repeatedly reminded people during the campaign that state lagged behind in development because Shivraj Singh had the penchant for promising too many schemes but lacked the will to implement them.