Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh – In a bold move ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections, the Madhya Pradesh Congress has expelled 39 party members for a six-year term. This punitive action was mandated by Kamal Nath, the Chief of the State Congress Unit, in response to these leaders' decision to contest the elections against the officially nominated Congress candidates. The ousted leaders are now either running as independent candidates or representing alternative political entities, including the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), the Samajwadi Party (SP), and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Notable Figures Ejected from Congress: Among the prominent figures who faced expulsion from the Congress party are former Member of Parliament, Premchand Guddu, former Member of the Legislative Assembly Antar Singh Darbar, ex-MLA Yadvendra Singh, State Party Spokesperson Ajay Singh Yadav, Nasir Islam, and Amir Aqueel. The crucial Madhya Pradesh assembly elections, set to determine the composition of the 230-member legislative assembly, are scheduled to be held on November 17.
Congress's Bid to Forge Ahead: As the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) endeavors to maintain its hold on power, the opposition Congress is leaving no stone unturned in its efforts to dislodge the BJP from its dominant position. Historically, Bhopal has been a BJP stronghold, but the Congress has made significant strides in the region in the past. Notably, the BJP has recently accentuated the city's historical and cultural significance, exemplified by renaming the railway station in honor of Rani Kamalapati, the last Hindu ruler of Bhopal.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has been actively recounting Bhopal's history, underscoring the tale of Rani Kamalapati's kingdom being usurped by Afghan commander Dost Mohammed Khan. Descendants of Khan subsequently ruled the princely state of Bhopal, with Chouhan often referencing Rani Kamalapati's sacrifice, known as "Jal Jauhar," during the battle to safeguard her honor.
Bhopal: A 'Laboratory' for RSS: Bhopal holds special significance for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which transformed it into a political "laboratory" around five decades ago, according to senior journalist Alim Bazmi. Electoral contests in various constituencies, including Bhopal North, Bhopal South-West, Bhopal Central, and Narela, have become particularly intriguing as the political fate of both Congress and BJP candidates hinges on success in these areas. However, it is noteworthy that critical issues such as education, healthcare, and employment opportunities have somewhat receded into the background in this heated campaign season.
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