Chongqing party secretary Bo Xilai upheld President Hu Jintao's pet theory of scientific development at a recent municipality party committee meeting, but mentioned none of his own campaigns.
The conspicuous absence of slogans about these campaigns - against triads and promoting revolutionary songs - and his emphasis on ideological lines favoured by the central government prompted speculation that Bo is trying to highlight his allegiance to Hu in difficult times.
The meeting was a review of the 'scientific development' of Chongqing before deciding what to do next, the Chongqing Daily said.
In a departure from previous coverage of Bo's remarks at major government meetings, the lengthy report did not carry a word about his crackdown on organised crime or encouragement of the Maoist-style singing of revolutionary songs, considered his signature achievements in Chongqing. He has never been shy about trumpeting them.
What Bo said, and what he chose not to say, led many to wonder whether he has altered his political stance and will forgo his controversial leftist leanings and toe the line championed by late paramount leader Deng Xiaoping and Hu.
Professor Joseph Cheng Yu-shek, a political scientist at City University of Hong Kong, said Bo (pictured) seemed to have made compromises to show his allegiance and loyalty to the central government in Beijing after the downfall of former Chongqing police chief and close ally Wang Lijun last week.