The political landscape in Duddhi has witnessed heightened activity following the conviction of Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Ramdular Gond, leading to the declaration of the seat as vacant.
Seizing the opportunity, Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav on Monday announced that former state minister and tribal leader Vijay Singh Gond would be the party’s candidate for the upcoming by-election.
Vijay Singh Gond, a seasoned politician with seven terms as MLA from Duddhi and prior ministerial experience in the SP government, adds an intriguing dimension to the unfolding political drama. As news of his candidacy spread, rival parties initiated internal deliberations on their strategies for the impending by-election.
Duddhi, has been reserved for Scheduled Tribes since 2017, making it a significant stronghold for the SP. Vijay Singh Gond, known for his strong tribal leadership, has been a pivotal figure in the region’s political landscape, having served as MLA seven times and as a Minister of State during Mulayam Singh Yadav’s tenure as Chief Minister.
Vijay Singh’s political journey has seen twists and turns, notably in 2012 when he supported independent candidate Ruby Prasad due to a last-minute change in seat reservation. Despite facing defeat in the 2017 election against Ramdular Gond, amid the Modi-Yogi wave, Vijay Singh’s influence remained substantial.
In 2022, Ramdular Gond secured victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party, defeating Vijay Singh by a margin of 7,800 votes. However, Ramdular’s political career took a dark turn when he was sentenced to 25 years in jail on December 15, 2023, in connection with a rape case, leading to the vacancy of the Duddhi assembly seat.
The SP’s swift move to nominate Vijay Singh Gond as its candidate indicates the party’s determination to regain its foothold in this crucial constituency. With the by-elections looming, SP workers have already begun preparations with zeal and enthusiasm.
Duddhi assembly seat has a rich political history, being reserved since its inception. Ishwar Prasad of the Janata Party was the first MLA in 1977, followed by Vijay Singh Gond’s successive victories representing different parties over the years.
