Narendra Modi to be BJP's star campaigner in state polls

RAIPUR: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi will be the star campaigner in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh that go to polls in November, along with top Bharatiya Janata Party leaders LK Advani and Rajnath Singh, an official of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) said here on Friday.

"There is consensus among state-level leaders that Modi will be extremely useful for the party to retain power in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh," a senior RSS functionary said.

He said: "Keeping his (Narendra Modi's) growing image and demand by the district and block level chiefs, the BJP has decided to hold dozens of his public meetings in late October and in November in both the states."

Chhattisgarh along with its parent state Madhya Pradesh besides Rajasthan and Delhi are scheduled to have assembly elections in November for which the model code of conduct will come into place next month.

"Modi's good governance and track record of effectively handling terrorism have impressed many in BJP and RSS ranks. Now he will be the star campaigner for the party along with Rajnath Singh and Advani," said the official, who did not want to be identified.

Modi will address several public rallies in Malwa as well as Mahakoshal region of Madhya Pradesh besides Chhattisgarh's tribal pockets and in capital Raipur in October-November.