Curtains descend on Budhni electioneering

Budhni, MP, May 1 (UNI) Campaign for the Budhni Assembly byelection, which will also decide the fate of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan as the BJP nominee, ended here this evening.

Due to strict implementation of the model code of conduct and a hawk-eyed vigil by the Election Commission, the principal parties limited themselves to public relations and small meetings for the past week.

Union minister Suresh Pachauri and AICC General Secretary Digvijay Singh today drummed up support for Congress candidate Rajkumar Patel -- a former state minister -- while Mr Chouhan himself took the field for comprehensive interaction with the electorate.

The voters, in excess of 1.74 lakh, include 82,498 women who would be able to exercise their franchise on May 3 through EVMs. Of the 189 polling stations, about 80 are sensitive.

Official sources said two CRPF companies and four SAF companies were stationed and 18 sector magistrates appointed.

The contest has become engrossing as Gondwana Gantantra Party nominee Gulzar Singh Markam, who is also his party's state chief, has the support of Bharatiya Janashakti President Uma Bharti, a former chief minister, who was expelled from the BJP for indiscipline.

Sixteen nominees are in the fray.

UNI PKJ-AC SC RN2006