NK'S POST

Agriculture Minister Gaurishanker Shejwar addressing an election meeting at Mungaoli NK SINGH Ultimately, even Jhansi Ki Rani could not help BJP win Ater assembly by-election. It was a close call for Congress which managed to retain the seat by only 857 votes in a nail-biting finish. The result has, nevertheless, brought a smile on the face of Jyotiraditya Scindia, the scion of Gwalior’s princely family and its threatened political empire. Although two by-elections were held in Madhya Pradesh April 2017, it seemed as if only one mattered. Few talked about polling in Bandhavgarh that fell vacant as Gyan Singh, a member of Shivraj cabinet, resigned from Vidhan Sabha to contest for parliament. Ater by-election was necessitated due to death of Satyadev Katare, the leader of opposition and a follower of Scindia. Ater figured high on political scoreboard because there was never any doubt about the outcome in Bandhavgarh, a BJP citadel since 2003. This time too BJP re...

Madhya Pradesh Anti-incumbency stares BJP in the face NK SINGH The results of January 2018 civic elections make it abundantly clear that anti-incumbency sentiments stare the ruling BJP in the face in MP. The opposition Congress party seems to be fast gaining ground in the state, which will go to poll in less than a year’s time.  The BJP has lost four of the six municipalities to the Congress even as it managed to capture seven of the 13 town councils that went to poll, with one seat going to an Independent candidate. In addition, the BJP also lost two town councils where voters unseated the ruling party under right to recall provision.  More worrisome for the BJP, the Congress share in popular votes has surged by 7 per cent, 43 per cent in 2014 civic election as against 36 per cent in assembly election four years ago. Till a few years ago, no one talked about, or cared for, results of local body elections in MP.  The local bodies were local bodi...