‘Congress failed to field a strong candidate from Budhni’

Singh said here that his party initially wanted to bring in a big name against Chouhan but it was unable to do so as the planning did not go the right way. Congress has fielded new faces in Dr Mahendra Singh Chouhan (from Budhni) and Shashank Bhargava (from Vidisha) against the CM, who is seeking a third term in the state.

While Bhargava is a senior party leader, Mahendra Singh is a close confidant of leader of opposition in the state assembly Ajay Singh.

Meanwhile, taking a dig at the chief minister for contesting from two seats, Digvijay said, ‘the BJP leadership may not have agreed to give a ticket to Chouhan’s wife Sadhna Singh because of which he had to do so.’

‘Also, may be Chouhan wants to keep a seat vacant for his wife after the elections,’ Digvijay added.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan is perhaps the only leader in MP who will contest on two seats. The decision to field Chouhan from Vidisha along with Budhni was taken by senior party leaders to silence disgraced former state finance minister, Raghavji, who has been seeking ticket for his daughter and also to ensure that he may not cause any damage to the party by turning rebel.