Dismissing suggestions that difficulties were in store for him in Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister-designate Shivraj Singh Chauhan on Saturday said that the top job in the state was not a challenge and that he looked forward to cooperation from all legislators in the state.

"It is no challenge as I would get cooperation from others. No responsibility is a crown of thorns. I accept this job with ease," the 46-year-old Bharatiya Janata Party General Secretary told reporters after meeting former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in New Delhi.

Asked about support from former Chief Minister Uma Bharti and her supporters, he said, "I will get Umaji's affection and cooperation. BJP is like a family and nobody is with the individual, everybody is with the party."

Chauhan, who was on Saturday named as the third Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh since the BJP came to power in the state in December 2003, will succeed Babulal Gaur.

Asked about Gaur's removal from the top job, he merely said, "It was the party's decision to remove him."

However, he was quick to add that he would receive guidance from senior leader Gaur.