Kolaras and Mongaoli bypoll results stand out for one thing — both sides claim victory.
The paradoxical situation arises due to Congress parliamentarian Jyotiraditya Scindia’s camp, expressing jubilation over the victory in Kolaras and Mungawali by-elections.
The ruling BJP too sees a recovery of sorts, having greatly reduced the margin of victory. Since state assembly polls are less than eight months away, both parties are trying to convince their central party leadership to buy their line of argument.
The BJP leaders are happy that they could minimize the gap of defeat. The elevation of the Congress leader Scindia, with the victory in both the by-elections, would certainly benefit the BJP in the upcoming assembly elections, BJP leaders feel.
Two days ago, at his residence, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had claimed that it would be better if Congress projects somebody as chief ministerial candidate. “I feel it would be most appropriate, if Scindia is projected Congress’ face in the elections,” he added.
Political observers feel that the already divided Congress would certainly face problems with the elevation of Scindia, no matter whether he is declared a face of the party in upcoming elections.
Congress sources claim that there has been no convention of projecting chief ministerial candidate in the assembly elections ad there is no possibility in the upcoming elections as well.
If the Congress wants to declare Scindia as Congress’ chief ministerial candidate, it is already high time. With the passing time, it would be difficult for Scindia to manage things.
Besides, to lead the partymen in the whole Madhya Pradesh, Scindia too needs to step out of his traditional fiefdom of Guna and Gwalior and reach out to the entire state if he is really serious to take on Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.