A "Chance" Meet And A Missed Appointment: Shivraj Chouhan's "Masterstroke"

The agenda for the meetings was to discuss farmers affected by twin irrigation projects, but political pundits felt the CM played a 'masterstroke'.

Two high profile meetings - a "chance" meeting between the current Madhya Pradesh chief minister and his predecessor and a much-anticipated meeting with another former CM that didn't materialise - dominated headlines in the state today. The agenda for the meetings was to discuss farmers affected by twin irrigation projects, but political pundits felt Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has played a 'masterstroke' on his rival party.

While the CM cancelled the appointment with ex-CM Digvijaya Singh, he had a long chat with another ex-CM Kamal Nath at the state hanger in Bhopal. 

Former CM and present Rajya Sabha member Mr Singh then sat on a dharna near the CM's residence over the cancellation of Friday's appointment and sought a fresh appointment from the CM in writing.

Flanked by farmers from Guna, Rajgarh, Vidisha and Bhopal districts, Digvijay Singh told NDTV that he had been requesting the CM's office for a month and a half to discuss the issue pertaining to the farmers whose land will come under the submergence zone of two upcoming irrigation projects. "I was finally given an appointment by the CM's office for the meeting scheduled at 11:15 am on Friday, but hours before the scheduled meeting, I was informed that the CM wouldn't meet me on Friday. Is this what a former CM and present Rajya Sabha member deserves from the present CM," he said.