In Malwa-Nimar, BJP may suffer set back, Congress expected to gain

Known as the cultural center of Madhya Pradesh and birthplace of great Sanskrit poet, Kalidas, Malwa-Nimar region which goes to poll on May 19, may give a set back to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), believe political pundits.

National security, strong leadership and in some pockets Modi factor counted for poll issues but farm loan waiver, unemployment and demonetisation have emerged as the prime concerns.

Analysts believe, loan waiver announced by the Kamal Nath government is helping the grand old party on the ground but RSS-BJP combine is giving a tough fight.

However, anti-incumbency, poor candidates and absence of the stalwarts from the fray is worrying BJP.

For example, due to a poor candidate, as per observers, financial capital of Madhya Pradesh, Indore, may go to Congress’ bag this time after 30 years.

Represented by the former Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan since 1989, constituency is believed to have a tilt towards Congress as Tai (Sumitra) and Bhai (Kailash Vijayvargiya) both remain absent from the fray.

While after a snub by Modi-Shah, Mahajan surrendered her candidature, Kailash Vijayvargiya opted out citing responsibilities as the party’s in charge in West Bengal.

Pitted against Congress’s Pankaj Sanghvi, BJP candidate, Shankar Lalwani is said to have lost the plot because neither Tai nor Bhai is supporting him. Besides, Congress candidate, Sanghvi is seen as a formidable contender.

In Khandwa too BJP is facing same problem. Many believe that BJP’s decision to field incumbent MP, Nandkumar Chouhan against former Union Congress minister Arun Yadav, may reduce the number of the saffron party as Yadav who was state president of the Congress party is popular and is a heavyweight.

Similarly, in Dewas, folk singer and state icon, Padma Shri awardee, Prahlad Tipaniya is giving nightmare to his rival, BJP candidate Mahendra Solanki.

Tipaniya, who specialises in singing couplets coined by Kabir in Malawi, earned his reputation all over the country and abroad. Popular among Dalits in the Malwa region, Tipaniya is seen as a big shot in the arm for the Congress.

In 2009 Dewas voted for Congress but in 2014 it altered the verdict. This is time it is Congress’ turn said a Congress supporter.

In Mandsaur which is called epicenter of the farmers uprising in which six farmers lost their life, BJP is facing same problem.

Though, the constituency has traditionally been a Jana Sangh-BJP stronghold, Congress’ Meenakshi Natrajan has defeated BJP veteran Laxminarayan Pandey in 2009 who had won the seats for 6 consecutive terms.

Political observers say farm loan waiver and unemployment will play an equal role in influencing the voters in Mandsaur but candidate remains the key.

Many farmer leaders and politicians including Congress president Rahul Gandhi, visited Mandsaur after the 2017 firing, which became the precursor for widespread protests against the BJP government.

Based on various estimates, it is being said Congress could end up with four-five seats out of eight in the region, reducing BJP’s tally by 50 per cent.