The electoral showdown for the Guna Lok Sabha seat, featuring Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, promises to be a riveting contest, steeped in history and political intrigue.
Spanning eight Assembly seats across the districts of Guna, Shivpuri, and Ashok Nagar, this constituency has long been dominated by members of the Scindia family from the erstwhile Gwalior dynasty.
Scindia's defeat in 2019 dealt a significant blow to his political trajectory. Now, contesting for the first time under the BJP banner, locals suggest the seasoned politician views this election as a matter of honor, determined to reclaim his family's stronghold.
"Scindia had the option to contest from Gwalior, but he chose Guna, aiming to reclaim his family's bastion. Preparations commenced months before the election schedule was even announced," noted a BJP worker based in Shivpuri.
Over the past six months, Scindia has been a frequent presence in Gwalior, Guna, Shivpuri, and Ashok Nagar, diligently rallying support. During his recent visit to Guna, he delegated specific tasks to his supporters, scheduling a review meeting in 10 days' time.
Meanwhile, the opposition Congress is yet to unveil its candidate against Scindia, eyeing the significant Yadav vote bank in the Guna constituency, estimated at over three lakh.
Speculation mounts that the Congress might field former PCC President Arun Yadav against Scindia. Responding to queries regarding his potential candidacy, Arun Yadav expressed willingness pending party directives.
"If the Congress leadership nominates me to contest from Guna, I am prepared to seize the opportunity. However, the final decision rests with the party," Yadav affirmed during a conversation with a news agency.
In a notable shift, sitting BJP MP KP Yadav, who triumphed over Scindia in 2019 by a margin exceeding one lakh votes, was not fielded for a second term. Instead, Scindia, who crossed over to the BJP in 2020, emerges as the party's contender for the Guna Lok Sabha seat.
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