Chouhan’s son to campaign for father in Budhni

Madhya Pradesh Chief MInister Shivraj Singh Chouhan meets his party cadre after filing his nomination papers for Budni constituency, at Budni township in Sehore disstrict on Tuesday. His son Kartikaiya Singh Chouhan(L) is also seen. Photo: A.M. Faruqui

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan filed his nomination for the Budhni Assembly constituency in Sehore district on Tuesday. Mr. Chouhan has represented the seat since 2005. Mr. Chouhan had won the 2008 polls with a margin of 62.15 per cent, the highest in that election.

Mr. Chouhan, flanked by his eldest son Kartikey, addressed a meeting of party workers after filing his nomination. “I won't come here until after I am elected,” he told BJP cadre. “I am leaving my son with you to campaign. I hand over the responsibility of victory to all of you (workers). I will work in 229 other constituencies. You do not need me to win this one seat,” he said.

In 2008 too, Mr. Chouhan had left his wife Sadhna to campaign here.

The Hindu had reported in June that 18-year old law student Kartikey had addressed voter awareness rallies in Budhni. His speeches were full of errors.

In the lists released so far, Digvijay Singh's son Jaivardhan and late deputy speaker Harvansh Singh's son Rajneesh have been named to make their electoral debuts in assembly polls this month. Uma Bharti's nephew Rahul Singh will also contest from Khargapur on a BJP ticket.