As BJP looks set to retain MP, Chouhan thanks people, party

As BJP heads towards a third straight victory in Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today thanked the people for giving him a fresh mandate and said he would continue to work for their welfare.

He attributed BJP's expected victory to ordinary party workers and its leaders.

"The people of Madhya Pradesh, the BJP organisation and a large number of party leaders who guided us in the poll campaign deserved thanks for this victory," he told reporters at his residence here as trends emerging from counting of votes showed BJP retaining power in the State comfortably.

Chouhan specially thanked senior party leaders L K Advani, Rajnath Singh, Narendra Modi, Uma Bharti and State BJP President Narendra Singh Tomar.

The 54-year-old said it was only in the BJP that an ordinary worker could rise through the ranks and become a Chief Minister.

Chouhan said he had tried his best to serve the people after becoming Chief Minister in 2005 and would continue the development and welfare schemes started by his Government.

The Chief Minister claimed the Congress-led ruling coalition at the Centre had been discriminating against his Government and it was the need of the hour to have a BJP- headed administration in New Delhi.

Chouhan expressed confidence that during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Madhya Pradesh would provide the largest chunk of BJP MPs so that his party is able to form Government at the Centre.

BJP General Secretary Anant Kumar, in-charge of Madhya Pradesh affairs, a Government under the leadership of Modi would be formed at the Centre next year.