High-profile campaigning witnesses turnaround in Budhni

Budhni (MP), Apr 21 (UNI) High-profile campaigning for the April 24 Budhni assembly bypoll in Madhya Pradesh has witnessed a turnaround in the wake of the Election Commission (EC) strictly ensuring implementation of the model code of conduct.

The EC transferred Sehore Collector and Superintendent of Police after receiving complaints of violation of the model code during the campaigning.

Banners or cavalcade of vehicles could be not be observed in plenty in support of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and his main opponent Congress candidate Rajkumar Patel.

Life-size posters and banners had been removed from several places. The campaigning will come to a halt at 0500 hrs tomorrow following which political parties will start door-to-door campaigning and meeting people personally.

BJP spokesperson Bhupendra Singh described allegations by the Congress regarding violation of the model code as a conspiracy and an attempt to create obstruction for the byelection, as it was devoid of issues.

He alleged that the Congress had lodged the complaint with the EC in view of the imminent victory of the Chief Minister.

A total of 16 candidates are in the fray for the seat, where the BJP and the Congress are traditional rivals.

Gondwana Ganatantra Party (GGP) candidate Gulzar Singh Markam, who has the support of expelled BJP leader Uma Bharti has made the bypoll interesting.

BJP legislator Rajendra Singh had resigned from the Budhni seat to facilitate Mr Chouhan's entry into the Vidhan Sabha after he took over as Chief Minister.

Budhni assembly constituency falls under Vidisha parliamentary constituency, which had been represented by Mr Chouhan since past four times. Mr Chouhan had received 68,084 votes against 24,558 votes of his nearest Congress rival Narmada Prasad.

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