Bhopal: The scheduled visit of VD Sharma, the BJP state president for Madhya Pradesh, to Chhindwara on August 20th has been unexpectedly cancelled. Originally, he was set to participate in a workers’ convention at Jawahar Ground, situated across the Collectorate. This gathering was significant as it was intended to guide all BJP members in anticipation of the impending elections.
However, this sudden decision to cancel the visit brought all ongoing preparations to a grinding halt. Tents had already been erected, and necessary equipment and materials were in place for the event. On the eve of the event, August 19th, it was announced that Sharma’s visit would not take place, resulting in the subsequent postponement of the convention. An elaborate tent setup specifically designed for the state president had been sourced from Nagpur via a Chhindwara-based tent provider. This abrupt cancellation has reportedly led to considerable financial setbacks for the tent business.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s concurrent visit to Madhya Pradesh on August 20th, where he is to attend a state working committee meeting in Gwalior, is the primary reason for Sharma’s change in plans.
But local political undercurrents also play a role. Tickets for two assembly constituencies in Chhindwara have recently been announced, leading to discernible unrest among certain sections of party workers. Some speculate that postponing the BJP state president’s visit is a strategic move to avoid facing this palpable dissatisfaction.
While the public reasons for the cancellation may point towards scheduling conflicts, internal party dynamics in Chhindwara might have also influenced this decision.