The Congress party faced a setback as its second Lok Sabha candidate, Akshay Bam, withdrew from the race just before voting in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore parliamentary constituency. Bam’s move came as a surprise as he joined the BJP, adding a twist to the political dynamics ahead of the upcoming polls.
Senior Madhya Pradesh BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya announced Bam’s entry into the BJP fold, welcoming him under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party national president JP Nadda, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, and state president VD Sharma. This move underscores the ongoing shifts and alliances in the political landscape.
The timing of Bam’s withdrawal was significant, occurring on the last day of nominations for Indore, which is slated to vote in the fourth phase of elections on May 13. District Collector Ashish Singh confirmed the withdrawal of three candidates, including Bam, and emphasized Akshay Bam, a Congress candidate, was set to contest against the incumbent BJP MP Shankar Lalwani in Indore, a constituency with a substantial electorate in Madhya Pradesh. The Congress’s choice of Bam came amidst a series of party workers defecting to the BJP in the state, reflecting the evolving political scenario.
This development follows a recent setback for the Congress in Gujarat’s Surat, where dramatic events led to the disqualification of a Congress nominee and the withdrawal of multiple candidates. In Indore, objections were raised during the scrutiny of Bam’s nomination form, highlighting legal challenges faced by candidates in the electoral process.
Local Congress leaders in Indore expressed disappointment over Bam’s withdrawal and questioned the leadership’s decision to field him as a candidate. Devendra Singh Yadav, a Congress leader, raised concerns about Bam’s candidacy and the impact on dedicated party workers.
As the political arena continues to witness shifts and strategic moves, Akshay Bam’s shift to the BJP adds intrigue to the upcoming polls in Indore. The Congress faces challenges in retaining candidates and navigating the evolving dynamics of electoral contests in Madhya Pradesh and beyond.
Sources By Agencies
