Modi chants drown Advani speech

Modi chants drown Advani speech at Bhopal rally

Vikas Pathak, Hindustan Times  Bhopal, September 25, 2013

First Published: 19:22 IST(25/9/2013) | Last Updated: 21:54 IST(25/9/2013)

That BJP workers have accepted a generational shift in the leadership and residues of internal differences were still present in the party was visible at a massive poll rally in Bhopal on Wednesday.

There was palpable coldness when party patriarch LK Advani and Narendra Modi came together on stage, separated by BJP chief Rajnath Singh. Advani showed no warmth when Modi touched his feet, almost as an afterthought. The patriarch presented Modi a bouquet, but with an air of detachment.

Advani, whose stature appeared diminished, was the inaugural speaker. Customarily, he spoke at the end of each rally. The buzz in the party was that many feared he might be hooted if he spoke before Modi.

Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who is close to Advani, tried to create a positive atmosphere for him by walking up to the mike to welcome him. But even this couldn’t prevent the inevitable. Advani had to face Modi chants midway in his speech and winded up almost immediately, as if taking the cue.

Though the crowd was admonished for interrupting the senior leader, they drowned the speeches of Rajnath Singh, Murli Manohar Joshi and even Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan with Modi chants. Still, Swaraj and Chouhan made scant mention of Modi and restricted their speeches to the Madhya Pradesh theme.