In a significant political shift in Madhya Pradesh, seven corporators from the Chhindwara Municipal Corporation, traditionally seen as a Congress stronghold, have defected to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The development comes at a time when the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' led by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi is passing through the state.
The seven corporators who have joined the ruling BJP are Roshni Sallam, Leena Tirkam, Santoshi Vadiwar, Deepa Mohre, Jagdish Godre, Chandrabhan Thakre, and Dhanraj Bhavarkar, as per a release by the BJP.
The defection of the seven corporators was announced in a grand ceremony at the residence of Kailash Vijayvargiya, the state's urban development minister, in Bhopal. Chanting "Phir ek baar Modi Sarkar" (Modi government once again), the corporators and their supporters officially joined the BJP, marking a setback for Congress veteran Kamal Nath.
Chhindwara is a stronghold of former state chief minister Kamal Nath, who is now the Congress MLA from this assembly seat. Kamal Nath has represented the Chhindwara Lok Sabha constituency nine times.Despite speculations regarding the future course of action, both Kamal Nath and his son Nakul Nath, a Lok Sabha member from Chhindwara, have affirmed their commitment to the Congress.
Reportedly , this move is not just a blow to the Congress party's morale in Chhindwara but also reflects the BJP's growing influence in Madhya Pradesh. The timing of these defections is particularly strategic, coming at a time when both major parties are finalizing their candidates and strategies for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
However, Kamal Nath's claim of winning 12 to 13 seats in the state, despite the defections and the BJP's victory in the 2019 polls, demonstrates the Congress' determination to maintain its dominance in the face of escalating challenges, reportedly.
According to reports, the BJP's focus on 'winnability' and comprehensive candidate vetting demonstrates the party's resolve to avoiding previous mistakes and strengthening its standing in the upcoming elections.
This heightened focus on candidate selection has been reflected in the party's decision to announce candidates for 24 of Madhya Pradesh's 29 Lok Sabha seats, while dismissing five incumbent MPs for a variety of reasons, including controversial statements and a lack of voter connection.
As the Lok Sabha elections approach, Madhya Pradesh's political setting, particularly in regions like Chhindwara, remains flux and highly contested. The seven corporators' defection to the BJP not only reshapes the electoral campaign in Chhindwara, but also sets the ground for a fiercely contested election in Madhya Pradesh, reportedly.
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