BJP’s Parivartan Yatra begins

Pushing the leadership issue back, the BJP took its first step forward in Chhattisgarh, starting the 18-day long Parivartan Yatra. But, it was Minister of State for Environment and Forests Dilip Singh Judeo, who apart from stealing the limelight, also swore by his moustache to see Ajit Jogi out of the power.

‘‘I have told the old man in white dhoti (referring to Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee) to forget Chhattisgarh. Come elections,the BJP will form its government and, if it does not, I will get my moustache shaved off. Now,it’s more a question of moustaches to bring the BJP to power,’’ he declared at the rally, before BJP president M. Venkaiah Naidu flagged off the Parivartan Yatra. Even as most leaders touched upon issues ranging from corruption to lack of development, Judeo mounted his attack on Jogi and his ‘‘political mentor’’ Arjun Singh, whom Judeo had faced in a by-election, when Singh was the Madhya Pradesh CM.

At the rally, Naidu said the BJP was confident of sending the Congress packing from the four states — Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Delhi — in view of the strong anti-incumbency factor. ‘‘Congress has already accepted its defeat and has thrown up its hands, willing to enter into poll alliance with any smaller party. It’s a positive sign, the BJP will carry on with its offensive plank against the Congress governments, making development the key issue in the elections,’’ Naidu said.

While other leaders tried to sell Vajpayee’s contributions to Chhattisgarh — right from its creation, to liberal help for its development, Judeo took a more aggressive posture. ‘‘No development has taken place, after the creation of the state. The entire purpose of creating the state stands defeated. But Assembly elections is the greatest hope to put the clock right,’’ he told BJP workers.