Contest tricornered in MP bypoll

Shivpuri, MP, May 21 (UNI) Bharatiya Janshakti (BJ) candidate and former BJP MLA Narendra Birthare's presence has rendered the contest tricornered in the June 2 bypoll to this assembly constituency.

While the state's ruling BJP has sprung a surprise by fielding former Congress legislator Ganesh Gautam as part of a special strategy, the main opposition Congress is bent on wresting the seat from the saffron party by nominating Mr Veerendra Singh Raghuvanshi who is considered close to Guna MP Jyotiraditya Scindia.

Mr Birthare, who represents the party founded by former Chief Minister Uma Bharti, is leaving no stone unturned to ensure the BJ's maiden entry into the Assembly. He is making repeated claims that he would become the BJ's first MLA.

A total of 15 contestants are in the fray for the byelection that the BJP views as crucial for its Mission 2008 -- next year's assembly hustings -- and for determining Gwalior division's political direction.

In 2003, Congress candidate Gautam was made to bite the dust at Shivpuri by the BJP's Yashodhara Raje Scindia who is reported to be furious over his nomination and speculation is rife that she will not drum up support for Mr Gautam.

Amidst all this, the BJP state President Narendra Singh Tomar issued a clarion call to workers to unitedly ensure Mr Gautam's victory. On the other hand, Scindia scion Jyotiraditya and his die-hard loyalist Mahendra Singh Kalukheda are constantly in touch with the electorate.

UNI