Poll myth makes Malehra contest exciting

Chhatarpur (MP), Oct 27 (UNI) Firebrand leader Uma Bharti's former constituency Malehra enjoys a dubious status of not re-electing a candidate and people are watching whether the myth will repeat this time also.

Mr Kapoorchand Ghuwara, who won the seat in 1980 on CPI ticket, is the ruling BJP's nominee for the October 30 by-election.

Ms Bharti, who vacated the seat after forming Bharatiya Jan Shakti following her expulsion from the BJP, is not seeking re-election and has fielded Ms Rekha Yadav as BJS candidate.

Mr Jagdish Shukla (Congress), who managed only 24.01 per cent votes in December 2003 assembly elections against 49.74 per cent votes bagged by Ms Bharti, is again contesting for the seat.

A high-profile electioneering is being witnessed in this rural constituency in the Bundelkhand region with senior leaders of different parties joining the campaign trail. However, lack of development remained main poll plank despite it electing a legislator who later became the Chief Minister.

Mr Ghuwara, who finished third in 2003 on CPI ticket, scored the second spot in 1998.

On the other hand, Ms Bharti has fielded new face Rekha Yadav, sister-in-law of former Congress MLA late Uma Yadav.

Mr Sukhlal Joshi (CPI), Mr Surendra Singh Yadav (SP) and Mr Mahesh Chandra Kushwaha (Rashtriya Samanata Dal) were among the 22 contestants.

Polarisation of voters on caste lines play an important role in this Yadav and Lodhi-dominated constituency. Ms Bharti belongs to Lodhi community.

BJP rank and file has opposed the candidature of political turncoat Ghuwara, who was in the Congress before joining the BJP.

Significantly, the BJP has won from the constituency four times earlier.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission has removed Chhatarpur district panchayat CEO Ashish Gupta following complaints by the BJS that he was misusing his position in favour of the ruling BJP. Mr Gupta was posted in the district for eight years.

The BJS also complained about violation of the Model Code of Conduct after a BJP leader hosted a large-scale death feast (Gangajali Pujan) after the death of a tribal.

A total of 1.84 lakh voters, including about 85,000 female, were listed to exercise franchise in 216 booths, of which 75 had been declared sensitive. In 2003, the voter turnout was 67.47 per cent.

UNI XC-PS 1512