Following a visit to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan’s residence here, senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj on Thursday declared that Mr. Chouhan would file his nomination from Vidisha constituency and contest from Budhni too.
The announcement, made at 11.30 p.m., was preceded by a meeting at the residence of Ms. Swaraj, a Vidisha MP herself. Former Chief Minister Sunderlal Patwa and State BJP chief Narendra Tomar accompanied Ms. Swaraj to Mr. Chouhan’s residence.
The BJP’s fourth list of candidates, released late on Thursday, had left only one seat vacant — Vidisha — which is represented by disgraced former minister Raghavji. Scores of BJP workers from the constituency — considered a party stronghold — protested at BJP State president Narendra Tomar’s residence on Thursday.
The Congress, which plans to keep Mr. Chouhan’s attention focussed on his constituency Budhni by nominating a formidable candidate, has not named anyone for the seat yet. It has re-nominated Shashank Bhargava, its runner-up of the 2008 polls, in Vidisha. Interestingly, Vidisha has a traditional reverence for the Scindias, whose rule before Independence extended to parts of the district. If Mr. Jyotiraditya Scindia decides to join Mr. Chouhan at the returning officer’s room to file his nomination, it would definitely be a battle royale in the State later this month. Friday is the last day to file nominations.