Bhopal: The function organised by the state BJP unit to mark death anniversary of former national BJP president Kushabhau Thakre was not a pale shadow of the mega show organised to observe first death anniversary of former chief minister Sunderlal Patwa. While only a handful of party leaders turned up at the BJP headquarters here on Thursday to remember Thakre, the event organised in Patwas memory by his nephew and state culture minister Surendra Patwa was a massive affair.
Thakre is considered to be political guru of Patwa. The state BJP leaders do not get tired of repeating that it was due to Thakres efforts that the party could establish a foothold in the state. The function organised in Mandideep in Patwas memory was attended by chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, former chief ministers Kailash Joshi and Babulal Gaur, Brijmohan Agarwal and Prem Prakash Pandey, both ministers in Chhattisgarh government, national BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya, national vice-president Prabhat Jha, ministers Gauri Shankar Shejwar, Rajendra Shukla, Archana Chitnis and Deepak Joshi. Former union minister Vikram Verma was also present.
Singer Anoop Jalota presented a recital at the function. On the other hand, Prabhat Jha, Deepak Joshi and MLA Surendranath Singh were among others who attended the function held to mark Thakres death anniversary. Minister Umashankar Gupta made a brief appearance. He garlanded the statue of Thakre and left the place.
The function in Mandideep was sponsored by the government. Cheques were distributed to farmers under Bhavantar Scheme and projects worth Rs 850 core were launched. State BJP chief spokesperson Deepak Vijayvargiya said that such functions are organised to allow admirers of late leaders to offer their tributes. He said it is not proper to draw comparison.
