In the political landscape of Madhya Pradesh, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, eminent figures of the Congress party, have directed their attention towards the Chambal region. Their objective is to bolster support for the party’s nominees in Bhind on April 30 and Morena on May 2 respectively.
“Rahul Gandhi shall deliver an oration in Bhind on April 30, whereas Priyanka Gandhi shall articulate her stance in Morena on May 2. The Chambal region stands as a pivotal arena for us, where our campaign endeavors are robustly underway,” articulated Jitendra Singh, the AICC’s overseer for Madhya Pradesh, to ETV Bharat.
On April 21, Rahul Gandhi was slated to address a gathering in the Satna parliamentary constituency of Madhya Pradesh. However, his attendance was thwarted due to indisposition. In his stead, party luminary Mallikarjun Kharge espoused the cause of Siddhartha Kushwaha, the party’s contender against BJP’s Ganesh Singh.
In Bhind, the Congress has fielded the incumbent MLA from Bhandar, Phool Singh Baraiya, who squares off against BJP’s sitting MP, Sandhya Ray. Meanwhile, in Morena, Congress’ Satyapal Singh Sikarwar confronts BJP’s Shiv Mangal Singh Tomar.
Despite the Grand Old Party’s optimism in the prior state elections, victory eluded its grasp. Nevertheless, its performance showcased improvement in the Morena precinct.
Presently, the party’s endeavors are concentrated on overturning the 2019 electoral trajectory, wherein the Congress secured merely one out of 29 Lok Sabha seats in the state.
“This time around, we envisage clinching multiple seats. There shall be no sweeping mandate for the BJP,” asserted Jitendra Singh.
As per internal sources, the Congress harbors confidence in securing victories in constituencies like Chhindwara, where Nakul Nath, scion of former Chief Minister Kamal Nath, vies for success; Rajgarh, contested by former Chief Minister Digvijay Singh; Mandla, where party stalwart Omkar Markam competes against BJP’s Faggan Singh Kulaste; and Shahdol, where Congress’ Phundelal Marko contests BJP’s Himadri Singh, among others.
“In the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, the voter turnout has been lower compared to previous national elections. Particularly, the participation of female electorates has witnessed a decline vis-à-vis the assembly polls. This development could spell trouble for the BJP,” remarked AICC Secretary in charge of Madhya Pradesh, CP Mittal, to ETV Bharat.
“Our leadership shall persist in emphasizing issues such as employment, education, women’s security, and the agrarian crisis, which resonate with the populace,” he added.
Following the setback in the 2023 assembly elections, the Congress underwent a revamp in the state leadership, appointing Jitu Patwari as the state unit chief and Umang Singhar as the CLP leader.
The party strategists assert that the local unit has swiftly regrouped post the electoral defeat, mounting a formidable campaign.
“Esteemed leaders from the state are engaging with voters across constituencies, elucidating the advantages of the party’s manifesto. The electorate harbors resentment towards the state government for its failure to fulfill promises. Our pledges regarding employment generation and loan waivers resonate with the populace,” affirmed senior leader Shobha Oza.
“We stand in solidarity with the Khajuraho Forward Bloc candidate RB Prajapati, following the disqualification of INDIA bloc nominee Mira Yadav on frivolous grounds,” she concluded.