As star campaigners of the ruling BJP and the Congress criss-crossed Madhya Pradesh just days before voting on Friday, 5.6 crore voters in the state are busy weighing the promises made by both the parties on issues ranging from clean governance, development and welfare schemes like free power and financial aid to women, farm loan waiver and dole for jobless youth.
Corruption and hyper-local issues related to development were the prominent talking points during the campaign which ended on Friday. While the Congress showcased the development model of Kamal Nath, who ruled the state for 15 months after 2018 elections, the ruling BJP banked upon the guarantees offered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and on “double engine” government.
In the Malwa region (66 seats), Hindutva appeared to be a dominant factor while voters in Gwalior-Chambal (30) and Bundelkhand 26) gave a tendency to vote on caste and religious lines. The political narrative in Madhya Bharat region (36) revolved around farm issues while development and health infrastructure remained the key promises made by parties in Mahakoshal region (38) and Vindhya (30 seats).
For the youth, corruption surrounding job applications seemed to be a major concern. Rama Shankar, a resident of Sehdol district studying in a Bhopal college, complained that special coaching for clearing SSC exam is financial burden.
Sometimes bribes are demanded even in matters related to government jobs, he said. Ramlalji Parmar, 75, a voter from Huzur constituency in Bhopal, is bitter about not getting an old age pension despite running around for months. “I know of well-to-do people who are getting pension through the back door. But a needy person like me is being made to run around by government functionaries,” he said, alleging corruption in ration card and old age pension scheme.
Rahul Gandhi highlighted the alleged income disparity among people in his speech. At a rally in Vidhisha, he said the BJP here has created two separate Hindustans – one for the rich and another for the poor farmers.”
He said the Congress has ousted the BJP from Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka and is determined to end the saffron party’s rule of hatred in Madhya Pradesh.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge targeted the BJP during a political rally in Sheopur by alleging that the ruling party always promotes corrupt leaders. He also promised caste census and farm loan waiver on the formation of a Congress government.
In Ratlam, BJP National President J.P. Nadda termed the Congress model as the missing model. He said that during the rule of Congress, roads, electricity, housing schemes, water from every house and development, all disappeared completely.
People angry with Congress’ dynastic politics: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday appealed to voters in Madhya Pradesh to elect the BJP to power for a developed state and country, asserting that people are very angry with the “dynastic and negative” politics of the Congress. In his posts on X, Modi also assured voters in Chhattisgarh that the BJP is committed to fulfil all its pledges. “The Congress is set for a rout. People are believing the good governance of the BJP and not the hollow promises of the Congress. I want to assure the people of Chhattisgarh that the coming BJP government will be a dispensation of their aspirations,” the PM said.