Electoral Battleground 2024 : The Lok Sabha elections of 2024 have stirred anticipation across India, with the Election Commission announcing the dates from voting to result declaration. With the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct, the nation gears up for a seven-phase polling schedule spanning from April 19th to June 1st, followed by result tabulation on June 4th. Notably, Madhya Pradesh is set for polling across four phases, scheduled on April 19th, April 26th, May 7th, and May 13th, respectively. Reflecting on the outcomes of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, where BJP secured victories on 28 out of the state’s 29 seats, and Congress clinched just one seat, all eyes are now on the seven pivotal constituencies across the nation where political heavyweights are set to battle it out.
A Glimpse at MP’s Hot Seats
Guna Lok Sabha Seat: The electoral battle in Guna Lok Sabha constituency of Madhya Pradesh garners attention. Central Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia faced defeat on the Congress ticket in 2019. However, this time, the BJP, by nominating the same contender who defeated Scindia previously, intensifies the electoral arena. This seat, considered a stronghold of the Scindia family, witnessed a significant turnaround in the previous elections. Despite being perceived as the Scindia family’s bastion, the seat witnessed a surprising upset in the last polls when BJP fielded KP Singh Yadav against Scindia, resulting in Scindia’s defeat. Scindia now returns to contest from this very seat on the BJP ticket.
Chhindwara Lok Sabha Seat: Chhindwara, known as the stronghold of former Chief Minister Kamal Nath, holds significance in Madhya Pradesh’s political landscape. All seven assembly segments within the Chhindwara Lok Sabha constituency belong to the Congress. Kamal Nath has represented this seat nine times, while his wife Alka Nath won from here in 1996, and their son Nakul Nath secured victory in 2019. Notably, BJP has succeeded in winning this seat only once in the past seven decades, in 1997.
Vidisha Lok Sabha Seat: In the upcoming elections, former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan contests again from the Vidisha Lok Sabha seat after a hiatus of two decades. Previously, Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1991) and Sushma Swaraj (2009, 2014) emerged victorious from this constituency. Vidisha serves as the home turf for Shivraj Singh Chouhan, making it a stronghold for the BJP. Congress managed to win this seat only twice since 1967, in 1980 and 1984.
Tikamgarh Lok Sabha Seat: Tikamgarh, located in the Bundelkhand region near Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, is among the hotly contested seats in Madhya Pradesh. The SC-reserved Tikamgarh Lok Sabha seat has been a stronghold for BJP, with Union Minister Virendra Kumar representing it. Kumar is contesting for the fourth consecutive time. Despite facing defeat in the 2023 Assembly elections, where he contested from Mandla, Kumar now seeks re-election from Tikamgarh. Congress has pitted Pankaj Ahirwar, the head of the Tikamgarh unit of the Congress SC cell, against him.
Khajuraho Lok Sabha Seat: BJP has nominated its state president and Lok Sabha member Vishnu Dutt Sharma from the Khajuraho Lok Sabha constituency. Sharma, who has won from this seat continuously since 2004, aims for a third term. Uma Bharti won this seat four times between 1989 and 1998, while senior Congress leader Satyavrat Chaturvedi clinched victory in 1999. Since then, Khajuraho has remained a stronghold for the BJP.
Mandla Lok Sabha Seat: BJP has fielded Faggan Singh Kulaste from the Mandla Lok Sabha constituency. Notably, Kulaste lost the 2023 Assembly elections despite being a sitting MP and Union Minister. This time, BJP has entrusted him with the task of securing victory once again from Mandla. Kulaste has been winning consistently from this seat since 1996, except for 2009 when he lost to the Congress candidate Basori Singh Masram. Congress has now nominated former Mandla MLA and ex-minister Omkar Singh Markam against him, setting the stage for an intriguing electoral battle.
In conclusion, as the Lok Sabha elections approach, the political landscape of Madhya Pradesh is set for a riveting contest on these key seats, where the fate of prominent leaders will be decided by the electorate’s verdict.
