Bhopal: The “delay” in declaration of BJP candidate for Bhopal Lok Sabha constituency, which shot into limelight following Congress’ decision to field veteran leader Digvijay Singh in the seat, has seemed to have caused anxiety in the ruling party here. This was evident from the recent remarks by Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath.
Taking a jibe at BJP for not being able to “find” a candidate for Bhopal, Mr Nath said, “Our party’s decision to field Mr Singh in Bhopal has jolted BJP, which is not being able to find a suitable candidate to match Mr Singh. BJP needs to issue an advertisement seeking nominations for the seat”.
Mr Nath’s comment comes in the wake of ‘dilemma’ in the BJP as to who the party should field in Bhopal to take on Mr Singh.
Sources said the party was still divided if a senior leader should be made candidate to fight Mr Singh or a second line leader be fielded to deny Congress to create hype over the seat in the elections to divert attention from real issues.
“Many names are being discussed for Bhopal seat. They included senior leaders like former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar.
However, a section of party was also of the view that second line leaders like the sitting Bhopal MP Alok Sanjar should be re-nominated for the seat to preempt the bid by Congress to make it a high profile battle to divert attentions from real issues such as failure by the state government to waive farm loans.
