MP by-elections: It''s all in the family for both BJP and Cong

Bhopal, Jan 30 (PTI) The choice of candidates of theruling BJP and the opposition Congress for February 14by-elections in two assembly constituencies of Madhya Pradeshonly reaffirms that politics here is still a family business.

The by-polls are being held in the Kukshi and Sonkatchconstituencies, both of which had returned Congress MLAs in2008.

Election in Kukshi became necessary following thedeath of Jamuna Devi who was first elected from there in 1952.

Sonkatch seat fell vacant because MLA Sajjan SinghVerma was elected to the Lok Sabha in 2009.

The BJP candidate in Kukshi is Mukam Singh Kirade, thehusband of the state Minister for Women and Child Development,Ranjana Baghel.

Its candidate at Sonkatch is Rajendra Verma, the sonof former MP, Phoolchand Verma.

The Congress nominee from Kukshi is Jamuna Devi''sniece, Nisha Singar; while its candidate from Sonkatch isArjun Verma, nephew of the MP Sajjan Singh Verma.

The by-elections have become a matter of prestige forboth the parties.

Both Kukshi and Sonkatch had traditionally beenCongress seats and BJP is trying its best to create an upsetthis time.

The elections are also the first major test for theState BJP President Prabhat Jha, who took over only last year.