Betul victory, a breather for BJP

Bhopal, Apr 16: The Betul by-election victory has come out as a breather for ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This victory has charged the BJP and Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to go for assembly elections without any hurdle. Party sources claimed that this verdict would allow Chief Minister to prepare grounds for assembly elections freehand. After party's defeat in Khargone Lok Sabha and Shivpuri, Sanwer and Lanjhi assembly by-elections, BJP candidates' victory in Rajya Sabha had provided some relief.

Knowing the fact that Harda assembly segment was the poorest in Betul, almost all senior BJP leaders had concentrated on it. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had addressed public meetings in Harda till the last day of campaigning. However, political observers claim that despite having won the Betul by-election, it is not the time to celebrate for the party because the party lost two of its assembly segments including Harda and Masaud. Surprisingly, Revenue Minister Kamal Patel is from Harda and the party is losing base in his constituency. This by-election has also given clear indication that the Samajwadi Party (SP) has no prospects in the upcoming assembly elections. SP had fielded its MLA from Multai Sunilam, and almost all the big leaders of the party had canvassed in his favour. However, Sunilam could manage to get only 21,698 votes. In the last assembly election, he had received nearly 74,000 votes.

Betul verdict is also big blow to Union Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath. Nath, who had camped in Betul and campaigned extensively in favour of Congress candidate Sukhdev Panse. In fact, on more than one occasion, he expressed willingness to be projected as future chief minister provided the congress high command lets him. Panse who represented Masaud assembly segment, succeeded in retaining his seat by winning this segment. Despite being tribal dominated constituency, the voters have rejected Gondwana Gantantra Party (GGP).