Shivraj Singh Chouhan

His comments came days after the Centre ordered rushing of about 10,000 central forces personnel to the Kashmir valley in order to strengthen counter-insurgency operations and law and order duties there.

After conclusion of the trust vote in Karnataka, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, "There is an internal conflict in Congress, and support of BSP-SP, if something happens to that then we can't do anything."

Chouhan, who is BJP's membership 'pramukh' (convener), said the party would soon launch its membership drive. The opposition parties were in a bad state with the SP and BSP "splitting" in Uttar Pradesh and Gandhi "jumping the ship", he claimed.

The BJP has been targeting the state government claiming that there are frequent power outages in many areas.

Taking potshots at Gandhi, the former Madhya Pradesh chief minister said Gandhi should be presented with the "world's biggest liar" award.

"Incidents of stone pelting have declined in Kashmir and terrorism has been controlled. This was possible because of the strong action against terrorism by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government," the BJP leader said at a press conference here.

The possible contest between Singh and Chouhan in the state capital is expected to be fierce

He also said that the people of MP have committed a 'mistake' by voting Congress to power in the state, which is why they must now ensure that the Modi government continues to remain in power at the Centre.

Party president Amit Shah made the appointments on the eve of the BJP's two-day national council meeting, which is expected to set the tone for the Lok Sabha poll campaign.

As the principal opposition party, the BJP will cooperate if the Congress government work for the welfare of people, but will oppose them otherwise, he said.

The three-time CM, who tendered his resignation to Governor Anandiben Patel earlier in the day, said the BJP will not stake claim to form government in the state.

Patel met a Congress delegation here at noon after the party leaders wrote to her last night, seeking a chance to form the new government in the central Indian state.

Yadav said there was no second thought that the Congress is fighting a big battle in the state to regain power after sitting out for 15 long years, but he has full faith in winning against CM Chouhan

Responding to chants of 'Mama, Mama' - his popular moniker -- by children, Chouhan tells them their 'mama' (maternal uncle) would take care of them, while in rallies he never misses any chance to take a dig at leaders of the Congress, which is trying hard in these elections to return to power.

Congress has been attacking the Chouhan government over its alleged involvement in the scam

Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia, both considered claimants to the coveted chair, are Lok Sabha MPs and are unlikely to contest the polls.

The Congress, which has been out of power in the state since 2003, was consistently raising the Vyapam scam to target the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state which was going to polls on November 28.

In our Pick of the Day, we take a look at what role anti-incumbency may be playing in the three big states where we are set to witness a head-to-head battle between the BJP and the Congress.

While BJP’s election pitches in other states have generally revolved around Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the last few years, its strategy is firmly anchored around ‘mamaji’ in Madhya Pradesh

After 15 years in power, the BJP is facing challenge from a resurgent Congress