Smaller parties, rebels trouble BJP, Congress in MP's Chhatarpur

Both BJP and Congress are finding it tougher to sail through on a few seats in Chhatarpur district with the presence of rebels and smaller parties. In 2018, Chhatarpur was the only district where BJP performed badly in Bundelkhand. Out of six seats, four went to Congress and one each was won by BJP and Samajwadi Party. In 2020, Congress MLA from Malehra constituency Pradyuman Singh Lodhi and Bijawar SP MLA Rajesh Shukla joined the BJP making it three each in Chhatarpur.

The BJP is aiming to retain this number while Congress wants to improve the tally. However, the obstacle for both is coming from rebels and smaller parties. In Bijawar, BJP has fielded MLA Rajesh Shukla while Congress has fielded Charan Singh Yadav. In these communities, Yadav voters are the largest with 38,000 votes.

A 24-years-old Indrapal Yadav from Kodan village says that in 2018, he voted for SP's Rajesh Shukla. "Since he is with BJP, I will vote for Charan Singh. The Yadav community is siding with Congress this time," he says.


But here is the twist. Former BJP MLA Rekha Yadav is contesting on SP ticket to make it difficult for Congress and BJP both. Congress leader Bhuvan Singh Keshu Raja, son of former MLA Bhaiya Raja, is contesting as an independent.

"If Keshu Raja was contesting from Congress, then we would have voted for him. But he doesn't stand a chance as an independent as Thakur votes are lesser. We will vote for the BJP," 23 years old Kunwar Ji Raja from Naya Gaon village, tells ET.

On Maharajpur seat, rebel Congress candidate Daulat Tiwari is making the contest triangular. Congress has fielded MLA Neeraj Dixit. BJP has fielded Kamakhya Pratap Singh, son of former MLA Manvendra Singh Bhanwar Raja.

"All candidates are coming to us, but we haven't decided. Last time I voted for Neeraj Bhaiya. This time I am still thinking as all are known to me," 32-years old Rakesh Kushwaha from Dharampura village tells ET.

On Rajnagar seat, Congress MLA Vikram Singh Natiraja won the seat in 2018 by defeating BJP candidate Arvind Pateriya by a meagre 732 votes. This time BJP is hopeful of wresting the seat from Congress. But there is a problem. Former BJP district president Ghasi Ram Patel is contesting as independent from the seat. Both Pateriya and Natiraja are counting on their goodwill in the region. Natiraja is four times MLA and is facing anti-incumbency.

"My entire family has remained loyal to Pateriya. Last time he lost by a small margin. We are working to ensure he wins this time," Pramod Singh Parihar from Hatwaha village tells ET.