Scindia to contest assembly polls? Aunt's move to opt out sets off speculations

After fielding three Union ministers and four MPs in Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls, there are reports that the BJP may ask Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia as well to contest the elections.

Speculations are rife about Scindia’s candidature after Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra on Thursday said that the BJP’s fifth list of candidates for the assembly elections could be its most “explosive” (dhamkedaar). “List dhamakedar hee hogi. Aage dhamake hee dhamake hone wale hain, Diwali ka tyohar aane wala hai, (List will be explosive... expect fireworks... Diwali is fast approaching).”

Never contested state polls

A Rajya Sabha MP, Scindia has never contested a state election. His potential candidature, though, is in line with the BJP’s strategy for this round of elections - to field a few big leaders in each state, like Union ministers and MPs, with strong local connections.

In Madhya Pradesh, the party has already named Union ministers Narendra Singh Tomar, Faggan Singh Kulaste and Prahlad Singh Patel, apart from BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayavargiya.

According to media reports, though Scindia may not have been the first choice, there was a buzz about him only after his aunt, Yashodhara Raje Scindia, opted out of this election citing health reasons. The 69-year-old Yashodhara Raje, who is Madhya Pradesh’s Sports Minister, has had COVID-19 four times since the pandemic began.

Confirming the development, state BJP president VD Sharma said, “Yashodharaji is our senior and respected leader, who had informed the party around three months back about her unwillingness to contest the polls, due to pressing health reasons.”

In this scenario, Jyotiraditya may be fielded either from his aunt’s Shivpuri seat or any of the two other seats in Guna – Bamori or Kolaras. All three are in the Lok Sabha segment of Guna that he held from 2002 to 2014.

Scindia aides accommodated

The fourth list of the BJP released a few days back had accommodated eight of Scindia’s loyalists. This is a strong signal that the central leadership has placed its faith in the Union minister despite several leaders from his camp switching over to the Congress in the last couple of months.

Among these were seven ministers loyal to Scindia --- energy minister Pradyuman Singh Tomar (Gwalior), water resources minister Tulsi Silavat (Sanwer, Indore district); industrial policy and investment promotion minister Rajvardhan Singh Dattigoan (Badnawar, Dhar district); public health and family welfare minister Prabhuram Chaudhary (Sanchi, Raisen district), revenue minister Govind Singh Rajput (Surkhi, Sagar district), food minister Bisahulal Singh (Anuppur, district of same name), and environment minister Hardeep Singh Dang (Suwasra, Mansaur district).

However, four more ministers loyal to him are awaiting the announcement of their candidature. These are Mahendra Singh Sisodiya, OPS Bhadoria, Brijendra Singh Yadav and Suresh Dhakad.

Loyalists joining Congress

A number of Scindia loyalists have returned to the Congress fold in the last few months. Samandar Patel (52), an OBC leader from Jawad area of Neemuch, had joined the BJP when Scindia and MLAs loyal to him rebelled against the Congress in March 2020.

Patel returned to the Congress in August. He reached Bhopal in a convoy of around 800 vehicles and joined the Congress in the presence of state unit chief Kamal Nath. “I am the fifth person from the Scindia camp to return to the Congress as I felt humiliated in the BJP, whose leaders are indulging in corruption in my area,” said Patel.

Earlier, in June, Scindia loyalist Baijnath Singh Yadav's re-entry into the Congress was a spectacle for all. In a massive show of strength, Yadav headed to Congress headquarters in Bhopal from Madhya Pradesh’s Shivpuri in a massive motorcade, comprising at least 400 cars. The video of this dramatic political switch had also gone viral.

24 ministers get tickets

The ruling party has till now allotted tickets to 24 of the incumbent ministers and 57 sitting lawmakers, all of whom were named in the fourth list. Interestingly, even the name of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was announced from his home turf Budhni in the BJP’s fourth list, putting an end to suspense over his political future.

The party has named 136 candidates. The Assembly has 230 seats, meaning the BJP has 94 more decisions to make. Sources in the party's state unit said 25 to 30 MLAs may be dropped because of negative feedback. The list is likely during the Navratri season, which begins Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Congress’ national spokesperson, Ragini Nayak mocked “internal factionalism in BJP” and said, “I don't know... maybe BJP is eagerly waiting for our list.”