Madhya Pradesh Elections: Campaigning Ends, Polling on 28 Nov
The elections for the 230-seat assembly will be held on 28 November.
The Congress and the BJP are all set to lock horns in Madhya Pradesh in the upcoming assembly elections in the state, with the former looking to topple the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led government ruling the state for the past three terms.
The elections for the 230-seat assembly will be held on 28 November.
Follow our entire coverage of the state’s polls here.
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Congress Releases Manifesto for MP
Congress party on Saturday, 10 November released its manifesto for Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections in Bhopal.
Kamal Nath, while releasing the manifesto, said that if the party comes to power, electricity bill of farmers will be reduced by 50 percent. He also talked about loan waivers and reducing the petrol and diesel prices.
Jyotiraditya Scindia stressed over the employment issue in the state and said that the party would be working on generating more employment opportunities. According to him, it is not a five year deal, but rather the party will focus on fulfilling these tasks in a more specific time.
BJP, Cong Cajole Rebels to Opt Out of Poll Race
The ruling BJP and the opposition Congress have gone into damage-control mode to get party rebels to withdraw from the fray in Madhya Pradesh which goes to polls on 28 November.
According to a senior BJP leader, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, state BJP chief Rakesh Singh, party vice president Prabhat Jha and state organisational secretary Suhas Bhagat among others were contacting party rebels to get them to opt out of the electoral race.
"All our senior leaders are contacting our cadre who are fighting elections against the party's nominees. Like in the past, they are going to withdraw from the race," state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Rajnish Agrawal claimed.
On behalf of the opposition Congress, senior leader and former chief minister Digvijay Singh was trying to persuade rebels to withdraw their candidatures, party sources said.
BJP's Lone Muslim Candidate in MP Finds Shivraj a "Secular Politician"
The lone Muslim candidate fielded by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Madhya Pradesh polls Monday said she joined the saffron party as she was impressed by the good work being done by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for all sections of the society.
Fatima Rasool Siddique, daughter of former state minister and Congress leader Rasool Ahmed Siddique, said she saw Chouhan, who was heading the BJP government in the state since 2005, as a "secular" politician.
Manifesto Doesn't Mention Ban on RSS: Kamal Nath
Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Kamal Nath on Monday said the BJP was "distorting" his party manifesto's reference to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh to divert public attention.
His statement comes a day after BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra, party vice president Prabhat Jha and MP unit chief Rakesh Singh lashed out at the Congress for being "opposed to Lord Ram and the RSS".
"The BJP is intentionally fanning the RSS issue to divert people's attention from the public welfare issues mentioned in our 'Vachan Patra' (document of pledges). In our manifesto, we have not mentioned that the RSS would be banned, nor do we have any such intention," Nath told reporters in Bhopal.
CM Shivaraj Singh Chouhan Addresses Rally
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan addressed a rally in Rewa on Tuesday.
Former Bhopal Mayor Quits Party, To Contest Independently
Former Gwalior mayor and BJP leader Sameeksha Gupta announced Tuesday that she has quit the party and will be contesting the 28 November Assembly election in Madhya Pradesh.
Gupta, who was mayor from 2009 to 2015, has already filed the nomination from Gwalior (South) as an independent.
Gupta alleged that the BJP had forsaken the ideology of Deendayal Upadhyay and Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and embraced dynastic politics.
"Dedicated party workers are being ignored. So I have resigned from the party," she said.
Three-time MLA Narayan Singh Kushwaha is contesting the election on BJP ticket from the seat.
Rahul Doesn't Know if Onion Grows Above the Ground or Below: CM Shivraj Singh
CM Shivraj Singh Chouha, while addressing a rally said that Rahul Gandhi doesn’t even know how onions grow.
“Rahul Baba doesn’t even know whether onion grows below the soil or above it. He's confused, he says my son’s name came up in Panama papers. We are mere farmers, we don’t even know what Panama is. Can confused people like him run a government?,” said Chouhan.
BJP Shows Video Featuring Kamal Nath, Says it Exposes Cong's Real Face
Armed with a video clip purportedly featuring Congress leader Kamal Nath, the BJP Wednesday alleged that it showed the opposition party's "hatred" towards the RSS and Hindus.
In the video, Nath, the Madhya Pradesh Congress chief, is purportedly seen telling a group of Muslims to be cautious about the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's (RSS) campaign and that his party will deal it with after the November 28 state Assembly polls.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP office here, party spokesperson Sambit Patra claimed that the video exposed the real face of the Congress and its president Rahul Gandhi's "fancy-dress Hinduism".
"A video of top Congress leader Kamal Nath is circulating on the social media, in which he is talking to a group of Muslim clerics and telling them you do not worry, we will take care of the other community and the RSS," he said.
It exposed the "real, divisive" face of the party and its "hatred" towards the Sangh and especially towards Hindus, Patra claimed.
Declare Names of CM Candidates: Rajnath Tells Congress
Home Minister Rajnath Singh mocked the Congress over "factionalism" in the party and demanded that it reveal the names of its chief ministerial candidates in poll-bound Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, like the BJP.
Campaigning for the second phase of assembly elections in BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh, Singh claimed the opposition party would "break into factions" the moment it announces the names of its chief ministerial candidates.
"Not just in Chhattisgarh but Congress should reveal the names of their candidates for the post of chief minister in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, like us. We have made it clear who would be the next chief minister of the BJP in these states (and) the Congress should do the same," the Bharatiya Janata Party leader said at a rally in Janjgir Champa in Chhattisgarh.
Rs 21,63 Cr Seized Since Model Code of Conduct
The authorities have seized Rs 21.63 crore in cash since the model code of conduct came into force in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh.
Overall, cash and material worth Rs 51.29 crore have been seized in the state so far, Chief Election Commissioner O P Rawat told reporters on Wednesday.
"In the action taken by authorities after the announcement of election, cash of Rs 21.63 crore, gold and silver worth Rs 7.44 crore, narcotic substances worth Rs 5.61 crore, illegal liquor of Rs 10.04 crore and other material worth Rs 6.56 crore have been seized," said Rawat.
BJP Expels 53 Rebel Candidates After They Refuse to Withdraw Nomination
In a major development, less than two weeks before the election, the BJP on Wednesday, 14 November, expelled 53 of its rebel candidates.
The party had asked these candidates to withdraw their nomination before the deadline was over at 3 pm on Wednesday, according to an Indian Express report. Former ministers Ramkrishna Kusmaria and K L Agrawal, three former MLAs and a former mayor were among those axed.
The state goes to polls on 28 November.
Poll Process at 14,000 Booths in MP To Be Webcast: CEC
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) OP Rawat on Wednesday said that proceedings at 14,000 polling booths in Madhya Pradesh will be ‘webcast'.
Webcasting refers to live broadcasting through the Internet.
The measure was being taken as part of efforts to ensure free and fair elections, he said.
Congress Alleges Irregularities in MP E-Tendering
The Congress on Wednesday alleged a "Rs 8,935.61-crore scam" in allotment of e-tendering contracts under the BJP's watch in Madhya Pradesh.
Announcing that the Congress would probe the "irregularities" if voted to power, the party's chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the estimate of the scam could go up to "Rs 50,000 crore" after investigation.
For its part, the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) said the matter was being investigated by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the state police.
Surjewala claimed the Congress had in its possession documents pertaining to the alleged irregularities.
BJP Will Come to Power, Congress Playing Dirty Politics: Shivraj Singh Chouhan
In a conversation with Times Now, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed confidence over the BJP’s victory in the state and said that the Congress is playing dirty and appeasement politics.
“I have not felt even for a moment that the BJP will not form the government. The BJP is going to form the government for the fourth consecutive time,” he said.
“The Congress is indulging in dirty politics. The RSS is an organisation of patriots. It prepares patriotic individuals. The Congress walks on the path of appeasement politics and creates fear-mongering among the Muslims for vote-bank politics. The opposition party has been doing this for decades,” he added.
Women Just an Ornament for Congress: Smriti Irani
Smriti Irani, while addressing a rally at Ibrahim Ganj in Madhya Pradesh said that the Congress considers women just an ornament and makes low remarks against them.
“On 28th when you’ll vote for BJP, you’ll vote against a Congress that considers women as just an ornament. The vote will be against the culture of Congress that makes low-level remarks against women,” she said.
PM Modi Addresses a Public Meeting in Madhya Pradesh's Shahdol
“These elections are not about who would win or who won't win. These elections are about welfare of the people of Madhya Pradesh,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his public address in Shahdol on Friday, 16 November.
PM Modi Addresses a Rally in Gwalior
Cong Accuses Modi of Poll Code Violation, Demands EC Action
The Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee demanded that the Election Commission take action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging a violation of model code of conduct by him during his address at Chhindwara.
In its letter addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner of Madhya Pradesh the Congress alleged that PM Modi in his rally at Chhindwara ‘lied’ to the voters by claiming that Kamal Nath had in a video said that the party would “not mind giving tickets to goons as the chances of winning was more important.”
Digvijaya Singh Challenges Shivraj Singh Chouhan For Debate
Again and again, they (BJP) say 'Digvijaya Singh's 10 years and our 15 years'. I challenge Shivraj Singh Chouhan to come on one stage and debate on his 15 years and my 10 years. Aapko saahas ho to aa jaaiye (If you have courage, then come): Digvijaya Singh, Congress in Indore, MP.
(Source: ANI)
Candidate Chanted 'Sonia Gandhi ki Jai', Congress Should be Ashamed: Amit Shah
BJP President Amit Shah, who was addressing a rally inDewas trained guns on the Congress over a video that shows candidate chanting “”Sonia Gandhi ki Jai.”
“A video is doing rounds and if it is true then a Congress candidate who was chanting 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' was asked to chant 'Sonia Gandhi ki Jai' instead. Congress people should be ashamed,” he said.
High-Level Meeting Over Polls Underway in BJP's Bhopal Office
A high-level meeting over Madhya Pradesh elections is underway in BJP’s Bhopal party office. Party President Amit Shah, MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, National General Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya are present at the meeting, reported ANI.
‘I Used Note Ban as a Bitter Medicine to Treat Corruption’: PM Modi in Jhabua
PM Narendra Modi said on Tuesday, 20 November, that he used the "bitter medicine" of demonetisation to bring back money into the banking system and to give "proper treatment to deep-rooted corruption system" in the country.
He also asked people to vote "intelligently" in the 28 November Assembly poll, asking them to ensure that "not even a single Congress candidate" is elected.
Addressing a poll rally at Jhabua, Modi said:
"The amount of work we (BJP-led government) have done in four years, Congress would be able to do it in 10 years," Modi said.
Targeting the Congress party, Modi said:
Modi termed the Congress-led UPA regime as ‘Madam ki Sarkar’ and ‘remote controlwali sarkar’.
Addressing a poll rally in Rewa, Modi reminded voters that Madhya Pradesh has a "double-engine" as BJP is in power in the state and the Centre.
Targeting the Nehru-Gandhi family, Modi said, "History proves that no dynasty prevails after its fourth generation rule in Delhi and Congress will also meet the same fate".
He asked people to "think for a moment" before voting about what Congress has done for them compared to 15 years of BJP rule in the state.
Need 90% Muslim Votes: Kamal Nath in Viral Video
A video purportedly showing Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Kamal Nath asking Muslim leaders to ensure as much as 90 percent voting for his party from Muslim-dominated areas has gone viral ahead of the 28 November Assembly election in the state.
In the video, Nath is purportedly heard saying that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the BJP have only one message for the voters - a vote for Narendra Modi means a vote for Hindus - and "agar Musalman ko vote deni hai, to Congress ko vote do (vote for the Congress if you want to vote for Muslims)."
"This is their politics....We will deal with them later...They will try to provoke you, but you will have to bear everything till the day of voting," the Congress leader purportedly says in the video.
The ruling BJP has launched an attack against the main opposition party over the issue, saying it only cared for Muslim appeasement.
The Congress, on the other hand, dubbed it a conspiracy by the saffron party to divide voters on communal lines.
Congress Addresses Media in Bhopal
Congress Spokesperson Randeep Surjewala on Thursday trained guns at the BJP government for not doing enough for Bundelkhand, the hilly region divided between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
Surjewala also said that the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government in the state was prospering by looting Bundelkhand.
Rupee Value 'Increasing' to Reach PM Modi's Mother's Age: Raj Babbar
Congress leader Raj Babbar on Thursday, 22 November, took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi by saying that the value of rupee to dollar was ‘increasing’ as per his mother’s age.
Why No Cases Filed on Vyapam, E-Tendering, asks Rahul
Rahul Gandhi, while addressing a rally said that while a defamation was filed against him for incorrectly saying that Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s son was involved in Panama papers, a case should be filed in cases like Vyapam and E-tendering too.
“A few days ago, I said by mistake that Shivraj ji’s son is involved in Panama papers. Within a minute, he said he’ll file defamation case. When I talk about Vyapam, e-tendering, illegal mining & mid-day meal, why don’t you file defamation? It means there is truth in them,” he said.
"Congress a Procession Without a Groom": Rajnath Singh
Dubbing the Congress as a "marriage procession without a groom", Union Home Minister and BJP leader Rajnath Singh on Friday said his party will be voted back to power in Madhya Pradesh for a fourth straight term on the basis of good work done by its government since 2003.
Campaigning for the BJP for the November 28 polls, he accused the Congress of engaging in divisive politics. Rajnath Singh said there was hardly any development in Madhya Pradesh under the Congress rule, but things changed rapidly after the BJP came to power 15 years ago.
"Till 2003 there were no roads and power rarely came in the state. After the BJP came to power, development took place at a rapid place," he said, addressing a poll rally at Tiyara in Singrauli district.
"And the BJP on the basis of its good governance this time will hit a four (win a fourth straight term)," the Union home minister said.
Amit Shah Mocks Rahul Gandhi in MP
Hopping from one rally to another across western Madhya Pradesh, BJP president Amit Shah on Friday exhorted people to chant 'Bharat Mata ki Jai', cracked jokes and took jibes at the Congress for what he called its misgovernance and dynastic rule.
Addressing multiple rallies on a day of hectic electioneering across Chhindwara, Balaghat and Jabalpur regions, capped with a road show in Katni, Shah exhorted people in his meetings to raise slogan of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' in such a loud voice so as to reach Prime Minister Narendra Modi campaigning in distant Mizoram in the Northeast.
As he travelled from one rally to another, Shah waved at people from his chopper, cavalcade and dais, cracked jokes in his speeches, targeted the dynastic rule by four-and-half generations of the Gandhi-Nehru family, and mocked Rahul Gandhi's efforts to rise to power now..
OBCs Got Reservation Because of BSP's Agitation: Mayawati
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati claimed Friday, 23 November, that Other Backward Classes (OBCs) got reservation because of her party's efforts.
Addressing a campaign rally in Madhya Pradesh, Mayawati said during the VP Singh government at the Centre, the BSP launched a countrywide agitation for the implementation of Mandal commission's report, but the BJP and Congress opposed it.
(Source: PTI)
BJP Chief Amit Shah Addresses Rally in Shivpuri on 24 November
PM Modi Addresses Rally in Vidisha
Curtains Came Down on Campaigning
Curtains came down Monday, 26 November, evening on the acrimonious campaigning for the high-stakes November 28 assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh, where star campaigners of the BJP, the Congress and other parties addressed a series of rallies and held roadshows to seek support for candidates.
Canvassing came to a formal end at 5 pm and voting to elect a new 230-member assembly will take place on Wednesday. As many as 2,907 candidates are in the fray.
The BJP is contesting all the 230 seats, while the Congress has fielded 229 candidates, leaving one seat, Jatara in Tikamgarh district, for its ally - Sharad Yadav's Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD).
(Source: PTI)