Shivraj Holds Budhni Bypoll Meet in Bhopal

Bhopal

Putting to rest speculations of a rift in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Union Minister for Farmer Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan held a meeting with party leaders to chalk out a strategy for the Budhni bypoll.

The former chief minister expressed confidence that the people of Budhni will support Ramakant Bhargava and ensure a thumping victory for the BJP.

Chouhan said that he was happy to note that Bhargava had started his campaign with a visit to the Salkanpur temple.

Minister in charge of Sehore Krishna Gaur said that the ruling party was headed for a historic win in the constituency.

Speaking to mediapersons, Bhargava said that the BJP was poised for a record victory in the constituency.

The Budhni seat had fallen vacant after sitting MLA Chouhan had resigned his membership in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly following his historic win from the Vidisha parliamentary constituency in the 2024 general elections.

Incidentally, Bhargava, the sitting MP from Vidisha, had been denied the party ticket, which was given to Chouhan.

Now, the BJP has fielded Bhargava from Budhni—widely regarded as Chouhan’s pocket borough—despite the latter seeking the nomination for his son, Kartikeya.

With such a chequered history haunting the two leaders, it was only natural for Bhargava’s nomination to set off speculations of a possible rift in the party, but Chouhan was immediate in straightening the record by convening party leaders in support of Bhargava.

The Congress has fielded former MLA Rajkumar Patel in the contest. In a surprise move, the Samajwadi Party has named Arjun Arya as its nominee.

Polling is scheduled for November 13; results will be declared on November 23.