Defensive? Don’t let development work be defamed, Shivraj calls on Shahdol voters

Sravani Sarkar

NewsBits.in

Bhopal: The Shahdol Lok Sabha and Nepanagar assembly by-polls in Madhya Pradesh are likely to be a different kind of litmus test for the ruling BJP in state and centre and the chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan isn’t taking any chances.

“Do not allow development works to be defamed my brothers and sisters. Because if BJP loses this election, it would mean that development works do not have any importance,” Chouhan was heard emphasizing and repeating at election rallies in Shahdol-Umaria during the closing days of electioneering.

He added that BJP loss would also mean that only poll management, as done by (ex-CM and AICC general secretary) Digvijaya Singh is enough to win polls.

Chouhan has been camping at Shahdol-Umaria during the last two days (election campaign came to end on Thursday evening). The constituency goes to poll on November 19.

The CM’s first time and unusual emphasis on ‘don’t let developmental works to be defamed’ indicates sort of desperation for the ruling party and Chouhan, political watchers feel.

And the reasons are not difficult to assess.

Being the first elections after the sudden demonetization announcement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi 10 days ago, the results of the two by-polls in MP would be looked upon as people’s verdict on the decision.

This factor along with the defeat of BJP in the Jhabua-Ratlam Lok Sabha by-polls last year makes the current by-polls a must win for Shivraj Singh Chouhan and BJP.

There are ground level indications that the Congress and BJP are neck-to-neck in the tribal dominated Lok Sabha seat and the CM is not indifferent to this murmur.

The Congress has fielded a young face – Himadri Singh, daughter of former union minister late Dalbir Singh and ex-MP late Rajesh Nandini Singh. She is pitted against state cabinet minister Gyan Singh, who has represented this seat twice earlier (1996 and 1998).

Himadri Singh is said to have her own family base of supporters and Gyan Singh, sources say, is also not too worried about winning or losing, because he already has a pie in his hand (cabinet minister portfolio in state).

Also the tagline of BJP during the campaign – ‘dil ko dekho chehra naa dekho’ (look at heart and not the face), is being looked upon as an offensive low-level strategy of the party.

Himadri’s recent letter to ‘Shivraj Uncle’ to ‘give her justice’ on this issue, is being considered a political stroke by the young candidate.

In such situation, Shivraj did not have any option but to give his all to try and win the crucial by-poll.

(Photo Courtesy: News18.com)