BHOPAL: The war of words between ruling BJP and main opposition Congress intensified, on Thursday, when chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan dubbed Congress leaders as `Raja' and `Maharaja' (kings) who were trying to bring trouble for him despite being a member of backward class family.

"They are Raja and Maharaja who can make any comment against a common man. I belong to a simple family of farmers and a chief minister from backward class. They comment on me and my family without any evidence. But, I do not have any problem. People of the state are watching", said Chouhan replying to the reporters on the protest march launched by Congress leader Digvijaya Singh against his (CM's) alleged `traitor' remark, in Panna, on Thursday.

On July 19, Chouhan during a press conference in Satna, had accused Singh of glorifying terrorists and insulting India and its culture by talking about “Hindu terrorism”, which he said amounted to indulging in anti-national activities. “Digvijaya Singh behaves like a traitor. Many a time he speaks in favour of terrorists attacking our culture and tradition,” said the chief minister Shivraj on the sidelines of his Jan Ashirwad Yatra.

Reacting on Digvijaya's protest march in the state capital, Chouhan said that if Digvijaya wanted to court arrest he was free to do so as they have not asked him to get arrested. But, he does not know that he should not say anything against the patriots, said the chief minister.

"He (Digvijaya) should realise the difference between a patriot and a terrorist. Those who have remarked against martyred police official Mahesh Chandra Sharma in Batala case and termed dreaded terrorist Osama Bin Laden as Osama `ji', they should think on their own that who is a patriot and who is a terrorist,” Chouhan reacted sharply.

He said those who were linking saffron with terrorism should realise that it was our ancient culture and nobody should comment on it. Singh ruined the state during his 10-year rule as a chief minister but, it was BJP who had developed the state and now making it prosperous too, said Chouhan.

Making a scathing attack on Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia, the chief minister said that the district administration had invited `Maharaj' for the inaugural function of development projects to the tune of Rs 17,000 crore in Guna but, his staff had refused.

"But, a Congress MLA tried to rake up the issue before union minister for transport and highways, creating disturbance. Was that appropriate or justified. Congress is always trying to create problems during public functions?" said Chouhan.

He said that he was going to meet the public during his Jan Ashirwad Yatra across the state and receiving a massive response from all over the places. He would thank the public for such an overwhelming support.

"In Panna, we have announced to develop a diamond park and when local traders will take initiative in this matter, we will begin the work in the area. The government has also decided to include Panna under `Mini Smart City' project and would make all efforts to complete the project in time", said Chouhan.

