If the political history of Madhya Pradesh is taken into account, the State has always seen a direct fight between the BJP and the Congress barring in some regions of Mahakaushal and Bundelkhand, where the presence of the BSP made a triangular fight.
As far as Malwa-Nimar region of Madhya Pradesh is concerned, it by and large remained a BJP fiefdom.
However, some key parliamentary constituencies in the region are most likely to see a triangular fight this time with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) joining the fray.
Notwithstanding the fact the BJP in public is disapproving of the fact that presence of the AAP in the current elections will affect its poll prospect, if inside sources in the party are to be believed, the party is keeping a close eye on the activities of AAP in the region.
Apparently taking a cue from Delhi Assembly elections wherein the AAP sprang the biggest electoral surprise by decimating the Congress and capturing 28 out of 70 assembly seats, the BJP think-tank appears to be treading cautiously and treating Kejriwal and his party on a serious note on its home turf.
The party's rank and file in the region were categorically asked to keep a constant watch on the AAP candidates in the region and keep the party updated about their every moves in detail.
Out of eight parliamentary seats in Malwa-Nimar region, the BJP in the last elections had barely managed to win two parliamentary seats but the party in the current elections wants to wrest majority of the parliamentary seats from the region, more so because of the anti-Congress sentiment.
Notwithstanding its performances in the recent Assembly elections wherein the party had virtually wiped away the Congress from the region, the BJP has categorically asked its grass-root activists to shun their differences, if any and work unitedly to ensure victory of the party candidates without undermining the influence of AAP candidates, failing which stern action would be taken against them and if required they may be ousted from the party.
Meanwhile, riding high on its formidable performances in Delhi Assembly elections, the AAP and its candidates are leaving no stone unturned to upset the mainstream political parties in the region.
The party has chalked an election itinerary of Kejriwal in Madhya Pradesh. In all likelihood, Kejriwal will address election rallies in favour of his party's candidates in Madhya Pradesh between April 11 and 15.
According to party sources, Kejriwal is also expected to address an election rally and take part in a road show in Indore, the venue of which is yet to be decided.
AAP's senior member Prashant Bhushan is also scheduled to arrive in Indore on March 28 where he will address election meeting in favour of his party's candidate Anil Trivedi.
From Indore, Bhushan will also get to Khandwa to address election rally in support of his party candidate Alok Agrawal.