Indore
The BJP’s move to field its general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya from Indore-1 segment has prompted sitting MLA and Congress candidate Sanjay Shukla to rework his poll strategy to retain the seat, where caste equations are expected to play a key role in the upcoming Madhya Pradesh assembly elections. Former state minister Vijayvargiya (67), who belongs to the Vaishya community and hails from Indore-2 area, has been given ticket by the ruling BJP after a long gap of 10 years. The opposition Congress has reposed faith in Shukla (47), hailing from the Brahmin community, for the second time by fielding him from Indore-1, his native region. The role of Brahmin and Yadav community members is expected to be significant in deciding the poll result in Indore-1 assembly seat, which comprises 3.64 lakh voters. With the entry of BJP heavyweight Vijayvargiya into the poll battle, Shukla has to change his election strategy to retain the seat. Sources close to Shukla said a fresh plan is being prepared by the Congress to balance caste equations in this assembly segment. Along with this, preparations are also being made for a series of meetings of the national level leaders of the opposition party. In the election campaign, Shukla has been trying to project himself as a local leader by using the son, not leader phrase for himself, and terming opponent Vijayvargiya as a guest. However, Vijayvargiya, who earlier served as the city mayor, is projecting himself as the leader of entire Indore to counter his rival. Known for his fondness for singing bhajans (devotional songs) at public events, Vijayvargiya is trying to win the trust of voters with promises of rapid development of Indore-1 and curbing illegal drug trade.
