The Bharatiya Janata Party is finding it hard to contain the resentment which surfaced post Lok Sabha ticket distribution in Madhya Pradesh. Senior party MP Gyan Singh is the latest entrant into anti-party brigade.
The five-term MLA and third time MP is the only prominent name from Shahdol division where the politics is primarily dominated by Scheduled Tribe population.
While talking to media persons, Gyan Singh told, “I not bothered by the fact who received the ticket but I am saddened by the fact I was denied the ticket without any reason.”
The BJP this time has given ticket to Himadri Singh, daughter for former union minister Dalbir Singh who had switched over to BJP from Congress days ago. It was Himadri who had lost to Singh in 2016 by-poll.
The former Minister, during Shivraj Singh’s tenure, said how he can canvass for Himadri against whom he spoke openly during the by-poll. The senior leader also has announced to contest as an independent. Singh the lone recognised tribal face is yet to lose any election. It seems the BJP had promised Himadri the ticket before she switched over to the saffron party recently. Shahdol is in the midst of an interesting battle as ex-Congress leader Himadri now is contesting on a BJP ticket while former BJP MLA Pramila Singh is fighting Himadri on a Congress ticket.
Besides in neighbouring Sidhi, sitting BJP MP Reeti Pathak is facing opposition. A video has gone viral in which some women are scolding the MP over infrastructural issues in a Sidhi village. Pathak’s altercation with anti-quota protesters had also gone viral last year where the protesters were accusing the MP of not raising her voice for their cause.
In assembly polls also, Pathak was opposed by group of voters in Beohari. On Wednesday, supporters of Premchand Guddu took out a rally in Ujjian seeking ticket for their leader. The BJP has nominated Anil Firozia from Ujjain ignoring Guddu who had switched to BJP from Congress ahead of assembly polls.
Former MP Ashok Argal and sitting MP Anoop Mishra too are said to be piqued with party’s move of denying them ticket. Argal reportedly has made up his mind to switch over to Congress.