Madhya Pradesh’s Bhopal Parliamentary constituency is bracing itself for a tough contest between the BJP, which is in returned to power since the past seven terms, and its traditional rival Congress.
The BJP has fielded its State office secretary and former Corporator Alok Sanjar, who is pitted against Bhopal District Congress Committee president and former legislator PC Sharma in the 28-cornered contest, which includes the, SP, BSP and AAP candidates.
In this minority dominated constituency, there are 4.5 lakh Muslim electorate, while Jain, Sikhs and Buddhist communities account for around 2 lakh voters. Besides, Brahmin community has 2 lakh voters while Kayasth and Sindhi communities have 60,000 voters each.
Interestingly, both the BJP and the Congress are dealing with internal trouble over fielding light-weights in the State capital. For both parties this election is a prestige issue, but the BJP appears to have a clear edge given its strong organisational presence in the state.
While Sharma’s candidature led to some heartburn in the Congress, Sanjar’s nomination had its own share of drama. Sanjar was selected because he was apparently the least controversial candidate in the BJP.
In the recently concluded Assembly elections, BJP candidates emerged victorious in five assembly segments Berasia, Bhopal Central, Bhopal South West, Govindpura and Huzur falling under the constituency. The Congress nominee emerged victorious in Bhopal North constituency while an Independent won from Sehore.
In the previous lok Sabha polls, former CM Kailash Joshi had defeated Congress candidate Surendra Singh Thakur by a margin of 65,157 votes. Earlier, BJP firebrand leader Uma Bharti has represented the constituency once.