In a significant blow to the Congress party's prospects in Madhya Pradesh, its candidate for the Indore Lok Sabha seat, Akshay Kanti Bam, withdrew his nomination on Monday, just two weeks before polling in the constituency.
Bam is reportedly poised to join the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), according to Indore Collector Ashish Singh, who confirmed Bam's withdrawal.
A photograph shared on senior BJP leader and state cabinet minister Kailash Vijayvargiya's social media account depicted Bam seated in a car alongside Vijayvargiya and local BJP MLA Ramesh Mendola, a close associate of Vijayvargiya.
In response, Vijayvargiya extended a warm welcome to Bam, stating, "Congress Lok Sabha candidate from Indore Akshay Kanti Bam is welcome to the BJP under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party national president JP Nadda, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, and state president VD Sharma."
The Congress had nominated Bam, a political newcomer, to contest against incumbent BJP MP Shankar Lalwani in the Indore Lok Sabha seat, traditionally a stronghold of the saffron party.
The withdrawal comes amid reports of police deployment outside Bam's residence in Patrakar Colony, with local Congress leaders congregating outside in response.
Bam, 45, who has not previously contested any elections, was offered the opportunity by the Congress to contest from Indore amidst a series of defections to the BJP, including three former MLAs, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
Indore, boasting the largest electorate in the state with 25.13 lakh voters, is crucial for both parties. The BJP has expressed confidence in securing the seat with a projected margin of eight lakh votes. Polling in Indore is scheduled for May 13.
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