Amid the unfolding political drama in Madhya Pradesh's Indore, where the Congress Lok Sabha candidate withdrew his nomination to join the BJP and other candidates followed suit, leaving the BJP candidate likely to be declared victorious, senior BJP leader Sumitra Mahajan has expressed concerns.
Former Lok Sabha Speaker Mahajan can be seen sharing her fear of a potential surge in None Of The Above (NOTA) votes, especially when one or two independent candidates decide to contest, in an interview with the regional news channel MP Tak. A clip of the interview was shared by Congress leader Supriya Shrinate on Sunday.
Mahajan has represented the constituency for eight consecutive terms since 1989. The revelation comes amidst a controversial development where the Congress candidate, Akshay Kanti Bam, withdrew his nomination and joined the BJP, drawing widespread criticism and accusations of foul play.
Madhya Pradesh Congress chief, Jitu Patwari, urged voters to utilize the NOTA option as a means to protest against what he described as the BJP's manipulative tactics. Bam's sudden switch to the BJP, following legal troubles, has fuelled speculation of political coercion and backdoor dealings.
The BJP's stronghold in Indore, a constituency it has held since 1989, faces a new challenge as constituents grapple with the aftermath of Bam's defection and the ensuing controversy. Mahajan expressed regret over the situation, asserting that the BJP's victory in Indore was previously considered a certainty.
Allegations of political interference and strong-arm tactics have marred the lead-up to the polls, with the Congress accusing the BJP of engineering Bam's defection to ensure its electoral dominance. Patwari condemned the BJP's actions, framing the upcoming election as a battle between the values of Indore and the perceived arrogance of the ruling party.
The state Congress chief lamented the erosion of democratic principles, decrying the BJP's alleged manipulation as a stain on Indore's reputation as one of India's cleanest cities. As the political landscape in Indore shifts, the outcome of the upcoming polls remains uncertain, with NOTA emerging as a potential protest vote against the perceived malfeasance and heavy-handed tactics of the BJP.