Bhopal, Jan 16: All eyes are on Betul now, as it is going be the last major trial of strength between ruling BJP and Congress before assembly polls. This by-election would indicate course of future politics in Madhya Pradesh. Betul Lok Sabha by-election is important as it has everything- a traditional stronghold of the BJP, traditional tribal and dalit votes of Congress, sizeable minority votes and Kunbi caste equation.
The chances of Congress are even if Muslims in substantial number backed by party;s traditional vote bank works this time. Samajwadi Party too is around in one segment, as Sunilam is MLA from Multai, so third front strength is also at stake. After winning Khargone Lok Sabha and Sanwer assembly by-elections, Congress is doing all out efforts to win this last fight before assembly elections scheduled in November this year. The election schedule is yet to be announced, but all the political parties have started camping in the constituency. Since, model code of conduct has not been implemented, Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and a team of ministers are making several announcements for the welfare of the constituency.
Besides, senior Congress leaders are paying more stress on this by-election. Most of the state-level leaders were in Betul on Wednesday opposing a criminal case filed against MLA from Masaud Sukhdev Panse. State Congress general secretary and spokesman Manak Agrawal said the FIR was registered against Panse on a complaint by MPSEB official. “The gherao of Multai police station continued till late evening. Besides, police used force on the Congress workers while taking out a procession,” he added.
Betul, being adjacent to Chhindwara district, has influence of Union Minister Kamal Nath. Party sources claimed that Nath would have a say in ticket distribution. The party is yet to decide candidate, but party observers have started working in all the eight assembly segments. AICC General Secretary and in charge of Madhya Pradesh affairs V Narayan Sami along with his deputy Mirza Irshad Baig is reaching Betuil on January 18 to discuss probable names with local leaders. The ruling BJP is almost zeroed down on Hemant Khandelwal, son of late Vijay Khandelwal, former MP of Betul. However, officially the party has not decided it. Party leaders claim that no decision can be taken without discussing the candidature in state election committee meeting.