In a setback for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Madhya Pradesh, Forest Minister Ramniwas Rawat lost to Congress candidate Mukesh Malhotra by 7,364 votes in the Vijaypur assembly bypoll.
Rawat, who had initially won the seat as a Congress candidate in the 2023 assembly elections, switched to the BJP and was appointed as forest minister in the government led by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.
He had previously won the Vijaypur seat in Sheopur district in 1990, 1993, 2003, 2008, 2013, and 2023, all on a Congress ticket.
Despite the BJP's efforts, including alleged distribution of Rs 50 crore to influence voters, Congress leaders claimed victory. Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari accused the BJP of using intimidation tactics, claiming, "Vijaypur's victory is the victory of Congress workers, who endured police cane charges and lawsuits but remained steadfast."
Patwari further alleged that the local administration, including the collector and superintendent of police, along with BJP-backed goons and criminals, worked against the Congress.
He accused the police and the administration of supporting BJP workers, filing false cases, and unjustly imprisoning Congress supporters.
"More than Rs 50 crore were distributed to lure voters. Even then, the lion-hearted Congress workers secured this victory," Patwari asserted. He described the win as a triumph of the Constitution of Babasaheb Ambedkar and the party's dedicated workers.
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