The selection of candidates for Lok Sabha elections has become a big problem for the BJP and the Congress. The first round of filing nomination forms has begun but both the parties have not yet decided its candidates on seven seats each across the state. Both the parties have not yet decided its candidates on Vidisha, Indore and Dhar seats. Congress has not even announced its candidates on Bhind, Gwalior, Guna and Rajgarh seats whereas BJP has not selected its candidates on Sagar, Khajuraho, Bhopal and Ratlam seats.
The selection of candidates for Bhind, Gwalior and Guna is pending because of MP Jyotiraditya Scindia. The candidates on these seats will be of Scindia’s choice. Former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh has to decide the party candidate on Rajgarh seat. Congress is not able to find a strong candidate on Vidisha and Indore seats. Former MP Gajendra Sigh Rajukhedi is leading in the race of contenders from Dhar but the resistance of local public representatives is coming in his way.
The selection of candidates from Indore seat in BJP could not happen because of Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan. Mahajan’s ticket refusal is sure but the exercise to pursue her, is the cause of delay from this seat. Former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has to decide party candidate from Vidisha. BJP does not have strong candidate in Dhar. The party could not decide its candidates in Sagar and Khajuraho because of large number of ticket seekers.
BJP is still looking for the candidate from Bhopal seat who could be fielded against Congress candidate Digvijaya Singh. Ticket from Ratlam is still not decided due to the party not finding a strong candidate there. According to information, former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is leaving for Delhi on Tuesday. The list of remaining candidates of BJP may be announced after Chouhan’s meeting with the central leaders. It is also said that Congress may also announce its list of remaining candidates in a couple of days.
Contest from Morena only, former HM tells Tomar
Former minister Himmat Kothari, amidst speculations of Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar contesting Lok Sabha elections from Bhopal seat, has written to the latter urging him to contest from Morena only. Kothari said there was no tradition of changing seat in Lok Sabha elections after ticket finalization. Kothari wrote Tomar should himself announce that he would contest only from Morena. Kothari also wrote that he wished to come to Morena to campaign in support of Tomar but first Tomar should end this state of confusion.