Ratlam by-poll: BJP invokes Hanumanji

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has stoked a controversy by announcing that its workers will recite 'Hanuman Chalisa' twice every week near the 2000-odd polling booths in Ratlam lok Sabha constituency ahead of the by-poll.An outraged Opposition alleged that the BJP was trying to polarise the voters as the so-called "Modi wave" was now over.

BJP State executive member Daulat Bhawsar said, "We are reciting 'Hanuman Chalisa' (hymns in prayer of lord Hanuman on Tuesdays and Saturdays near the 2,000-odd polling booths of the ST reserved Ratlam lok Sabha (formerly known as Ratlam-Jhabua) constituency."Bhawsar further said that the elections are like a "mahayudh" (big war) and no one should feel offended if the name of lord Hanuman, who is considered as 'sankatmochan' or the trouble-shooter, is recited before going to the battlefield. "It brings our party cadres under one roof and promotes unity and interaction, which are required to win the elections," he added.

He said that one of the principles of the BJP is to promote cultural nationalism, "so we are doing it by means of Hanuman Chalisa."He refuted the allegations that they were dragging the name of lord Hanuman to communalize the election and polarize the voters. However, the Congress criticized the BJP's move.

Congress' former MlA from Jhabua, Javier Meda, said, "The BJP is looking up to heavens as the Modi wave is now over. 

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Besides, the tribals have come to know the real face of the BJP after the expose of the Vyapam scam - a major recruitment and admission scandal in MP."

The by-election for Ratlam lS seat, spread over eight Assembly constituencies of Ratlam, Jhabua and Alirajpur districts, was necessitated following the death of Dilip Singh Bhuria, a prominent tribal face of the BJP, last month.

The seat had been the citadel of the Congress since Independence. But last time around, former Union Minister and Congress nominee Kantilal Bhuria lost the election to BJP's Dilip Singh Bhuria by a margin of 1.12 lakh votes. Prior to it, the Congress had lost the election for the seat to Praja Socialist Party (PSP) in 1977.

 Besides, the Tribals have come to know the real face of BJP after the expose of the Vyapam scam - a major recruitment and admission scandal in MP."

The by-election for Ratlam lS seat, spread over eight Assembly constituencies of Ratlam, Jhabua and Alirajpur districts, was necessitated following the death of Dilip Singh Bhuria, a prominent tribal face of BJP, last month.

The seat had been the forte of Congress since Independence. But last time around, former Union Minister and Congress nominee Kantilal Bhuria lost the election to BJP's Dilip Singh Bhuria by a margin of 1.12 lakh votes. Prior to it, the Congress had lost the election from the seat to Praja Socialist Party (PSP) in 1977.