Political parties in Madhya Pradesh are in a flurry following the announcement of the date for the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly elections. Both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress are making vigorous efforts ahead of the election. While the BJP wants to defend its fort, the Congress is attempting to stage a surprise victory, similar to that in 2018. Both parties are making significant efforts to reach out to tribal and women voters, who make up a significant chunk of the state’s population.
On Tuesday, former Congress national president Rahul Gandhi arrived in Shahdol district to reach out to tribals. He addressed a public meeting for the electoral campaign and concluded Congress’s Jan Akrosh (People’s Outcry) Yatra. Gandhi emphasised the need for determining tribal rights and stressed the necessity of a caste census. He also defended the Congress’ efforts to bring in laws regarding forest rights, stating that the BJP government had seized the lands of tribals through “threats and violence”.
Several prominent leaders were present, including former Chief Minister Kamal Nath, Digvijay Singh, Ajay Singh Rahul, and Kamleshwar Patel. It is believed that Rahul Gandhi’s visit to the tribal majority Shahdol division is an attempt to secure tribal votes ahead of the Assembly elections.