After Manmohan declines, CM counts on Shekhawat

The other dignitary, Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, on whom the Chief Minister was counting on, has also not confirmed his participation in the celebrations. Shekhawat has also been invited for the Dussehra festival in Bastar.

Top government officials confirmed that neither the Prime Minister, nor former PM Vajpayee, were expected to join in the celebrations. Principal Secretary Pankaj Dwivedi said the Chief Minister himself was working on this issue. Heading the BJP’s first government in Chhattisgarh, Raman Singh, has reportedly said that his officials were keen to have both the PM and the former PM on a common platform, in order to showcase the state’s development.

‘‘It’s only four years ago that Chhattisgarh was formed along with two other states — Jharkhand and Uttaranchal. Today, this state stands out among the other three. This is what he (Raman) proposed to show,’’ a senior bureaucrat said. As the BJP has all along projected Vajpayee as the real visionary behind the creation of Chhattisgarh, his presence would have boosted the party’s standing in the upcoming panchayat and urban bodies’ elections.

Leaving aside the VVIP guest list, the Rajyautsav committee has completed all other preparations. Its itinerary comprises an industrial fair and a cultural exhibition, including a Bharatnatyam recital by actress-turned politician Hema Malini.