A direct contest between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Opposition Congress is on the cards during the by-elections in the three Assembly constituencies in Madhya Pradesh scheduled to take place on August 21.
The Congress is looking at the by-elections as an opportunity to regain some lost ground following its drubbing in the recent lok Sabha elections and the Assembly elections last year. The Congress, which has left no opportunity to embarrass the BJP Government over the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board (MPPEB) scam, would like to reap some electoral benefits over the issue. Senior party leaders Digvijay Singh and Jyotiraditya Scindia campaigned for party candidates.
On the other hand, the saffron party seems determined to not provide the Congress the much-needed opportunity. For the BJP and CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, repeating the performance has become a prestige issue, particularly after attacks by the Congress over the MPPEB scam. Chouhan is canvassing votes in the favour of BJP candidates in Vijayraghavgarh and Bahoriband seats in Katni district. Union labour Minister Narendra Singh Tomar sought votes in Agar.