By: KS Shaini
The BJP and Congress have drawn draggers after the Election commission declared by-poll dates for Damoh constituency in MP.
While BJP lashed out at Congress candidate Ajay Tandon over cash video circulating on social media, Congress is castigating BJP candidate Rahul Lodhi for betraying voters and joining BJP for personal benefit.
Rahul Lodhi had contested the 2018 Vidhan Sabha elections on a Congress ticket and defeated BJP stalwart and former finance minister in Shivraj cabinet Jayant Malaiya. Last year, just a few days before the By-polls on 28 seats, he switched over to BJP. Congress is going to the voters slamming Lodhi and calling him a traitor.
On the other hand, rewarding Rahul Lodhi by giving him a ticket has not gone well within the saffron party. Former minister Jayant Malaiya, who was trying hard to get a ticket for his son, feels betrayed. Internal rift in BJP, cast a blight on the hopes of Rahul Lodhi.
MP is facing political turmoil for the last two and a half years. Initially, the Congress Government under the leadership of Kamal Nath came to power after a 15 years long gap. His government fell 15 months after it came to power when 22 MLA along with Jyoti Raje Scindia jumped the ship and joined BJP.
The state was pushed into by-elections in November 2020, which was necessitated by the resignation of 22 MLAs. BJP swept the by-polls and formed the government. Now, once again, the elections in Damoh have drawn the nation’s attention.
As the election commission announced April 17 for Damoh elections, both BJP and Congress party declared their candidates. Congress gave ticket to Damoh Congress district president Ajay Tanton while BJP pitted Rahul Lodhi who earlier won the election on Congress ticket.
Rahul Lodhi is facing a hard task with Malaiya’s loyalists amplifying their voice and registering their protest against him.
The Congress termed the recent video, going viral social media, in which Congress candidate Ajay Tanton seen distributing cash to voters, totally fabricated to tarnish the clean image of our candidate. BJP using unethical tactics reflects the crisis in the party created by fissures within the party, says Congress, turning the gun on BJP.
The BJP released a video in which a Congress candidate is seen allegedly distributing Rs 2000 currency note to voters and also lodged a complaint with the election commission.
Tondon countering the charges stated that it is the desperate bid by the BJP to mislead the voters. He was distributing Congress Badges and not currency notes.
Speculation is rife that Malaiya is indirectly assisting Ajay Tondon as he is upset about fielding Rahul Lodhi from Damoh. BJP president V D Sharma has roped in outsiders in his campaigning team to allay the fear fuelled by infighting.
Both BJP and Congress are trading barbs over each other as the election to Damoh has become a prestige issue for both parties.
