Gruelling heat casts adverse impact over campaigning in tribal-dominated Khargone lok Sabha constituency where a straight fight is on the cards between the Congress and the BJP.
Though, defying heat and dust, candidates are toiling hard to woo electorate of this reserved (ST) constituency where eight candidates are in the fray. Workers are not canvassing vigorously for their party’s respective candidate. However, campaigning has gained slight momentum as only three days are left for polling.
The Congress has fielded Ramesh Patel while the BJP made Subhash Patel as the party candidate. Besides, Communist Party of India’s Jyoti Gore, Bahujan Samaj Party’s Nahar Singh, Aam Aadmi Party’s Kailash Awashya are also trying their luck.
For the Congress candidate Ramesh Patel party State Chief Arun Yadav, Rajya Sabha Member Vijaylaxmi Sadho and other senior leaders campaigned while Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan held rallies in favour of the BJP nominee, Subhash Patel. BJP denied ticket to outgoing MP Makan Singh Solanki this time. As Solanki is not happy with the decision, he and his supporters kept themselves aloof from campaigning.
Despite BJP’s endeavour, Solanki disagreed to canvass for official candidate. BJP candidate would have to give a special effort to retain this seat. late deputy Chief Minister Subhash Yadav represented Congress from this seat for ten times. His son Arun Yadav won by-election with a record margin in 2007. While the Congress is missing Subhash Yadav, BJP is also felt the void of its senior leader Rameshwar Patidar, who elected thrice from this seat. Patidar could not campaign due to ill health.
Interestingly, like other Hindi-speaking constituencies ‘Modi wave’ is not visible while there is no ‘Congress wave’ either. Voters are showing lack of interest this time and candidates are keeping their fingers crossed. In all 17, 03, 271 voters would decide the candidates’ fate on April 24 the third and final phase of polling in Madhya Pradesh.