Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The tightly fought Ammarwada Assembly by-election in which BJP candidate Kamlesh Shahi won by just 3,000 votes has heightened tensions within the ruling party over the upcoming by-elections in Vijaipur.
Shah, who switched to the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, had won the 2023 state elections against the BJP by 25,000 votes. But this time his margin of victory has narrowed to 3,000 votes.
Minister Ramniwas Rawat, who switched to the BJP ahead of the assembly elections, also defeated his rival by 2,149 votes in the 2023 Vijaipur assembly constituency, meaning the challenge ahead of him is bigger than Shah.
Rawat resigned from the Lok Sabha after he was assured that he would get the ministerial post.
Rawat is worried about the by-elections and has started organising religious events in his constituency to create an atmosphere favourable to him.
Rawat has won the Vijaipur seat six times from the BJP, losing the 2018 election but narrowly winning the 2023 state assembly polls.
After losing Amwarwada, the Congress party plans to go all out in Vijaypur.
Challenge to the parliament in Budni
The BJP has been winning the Budni seat since 2003. The seat has been vacant since Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan resigned after winning the assembly elections. Contesting the seat has been a challenge for the Indian National Congress. The party is looking for a strong candidate for the seat, but the BJP believes it will be an easy win for the party.
Published: Tuesday, July 16, 2024 06:13 AM IST
