Main fight between BJP and Congress in MP bypoll

Khargone, MP, Dec 8 (UNI) The Congress and the BJP are making all out efforts to win the Khargone Lok Sabha seat with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and state Congress President Subhash Yadav, who is fielding his own son in the bypoll, making it a prestige issue.

While the Congress has fielded Mr Yadav's son Arun Yadav as its nominee from Khargone, the ruling BJP has expressed confidence in Mr Krishnamurari Moghe, who was disqualified as MP over Office of Profit issue causing the bypoll.

The result of the by-election is bound to affect the morale of both the main parties in view of assembly elections in the state next year.

Blamed for remaining inactive during the four-year-rule of the BJP, the Congress has got fresh life with the much-debated dumpers' purchase case. However, it remains to be seen whether it could make use of it.

Although Mr Moghe was disqualified on the Office of Profit issue, his clean image and large-scale development works in his constituency would go in his favour.

On the other hand, his main rival Arun Yadav is more recognised as Mr Yadav's son.

The Congress is attempting to make outsider status of Mr Moghe, and alleged corruption and lack of development as its main poll planks.

Eight assembly segments fall under the Khargone constituency seven of which have BJP MLAs.

The Congress is also raking up inactiveness of these seven legislators. Besides, it has an eye over Bharatiya Janshakti (BJ) candidate Sanjay Jhanvar making a dent in the BJP votes.

Caste equations play an important role in Khargone where Patidars, Yadavs, Gurjars and tribals represent 84 per cent of 12.91 lakh electorate.

The BJP has retained the seat since sixth Lok Sabha elections to 13th Lok Sabha elections with Patidar community leader Rameshwar Patidar being elected five times.

Mr Subhash Yadav had contested from Khargone five times between 1977 and 1991 and won twice.

Electioneering has reached its peak with four days to go for the bypoll.

Besides Mr Subhash Yadav, Congress MPs Jyotiraditya Scindia and Sachin Pilot, Opposition Leader Jamuna Devi, Union Ministers Suresh Pachouri and Kantilal Bhuria have campaigned for the Congress.

For the BJP, Mr Chouhan is the star campaigner. Besides, several cabinet ministers had taken part in the electioneering.

A total of eleven candidates are in the fray for the Khargone bypoll. The presence of the BJ candidate has made the bypoll interesting. BJ President Uma Bharti and senior BJ leader Prahlad Patel had addressed public meetings in Mr Jhanvar's favour.

UNI