MP: Christian voters increase in Jhabua

Jhabua, MP, Nov 12: A total of 12 candidates are in the fray for tribal-dominated Jhabua assembly seat, but the contest is largely triangular among the BJP, the Congress and the BSP.

Political observers feel that both the BJP and the Congress are facing inner dissension.

Union Minister of State for Agriculture Kantilal Bhuria's niece Kalawati Bhuria's supporters had been sulking since she resigned from the post of Jhabua district Congress president in the wake of her assembly seat being changed from Jhabua to Thandla. Youth Congress leader Xavier Medha has been fielded from Jhabua.

Change of candidate in Jhabua and providing ticket to Mr Medha has been described as compulsion for the Congress because the number of Christian voters had gone up by about 20,000 with the inclusion of Christian-dominated areas like Pipalia, Antkhelia, Kalyanpura and Navapada in Jhabua assembly constituency following delimitation.

The BSP has fielded Ms Lata Edwin keeping this factor in mind, creating fear within the Congress of their vote bank shifting.

Ms Bhuria is not contesting from Thandla and Mr Bhuria's nephew Veer Singh Bhuria has been fielded from the seat. The BJP has provided ticket to outgoing Jhabua legislator Pavesingh Pardi, who faces tough contest from the Congress and the BSP.

UNI