Bhopal: In a year of by-elections, surprise defeats in many seats in Madhya Pradesh have sent the state BJP in introspection mode, even as it chalks out its 'mission
2008'. The next assembly elections are due next year-end.
Throughout the year, a united opposition kept the ruling BJP on its toes. The opposition took on Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on alleged corruption in dumper truck issue. The Congress, which led the tirade, accused him of misusing his office for amassing wealth and purchasing four dumper trucks in his wife's name.
While Chouhan defended his family's right "to earn a living", the defiant opposition managed to get an FIR lodged against him with the Lok Ayukta.
The state saw three Lok Sabha by-polls from Gwalior, Sidhi and Khargone, and four assembly by-elections from Shivpuri, Lanjhi, Pandhana and Sanwer.
"Frequent by-polls have, to some extent, hindered development work in some areas," Chouhan had told reporters.
Ousted BJP leader and BJS chief Uma Bharti has been credited with most of the saffron party's losses by diluting its vote bank through vigorous campaigns throughout the year.
Her campaign against the BJP apparently got BJP chief Rajnath Singh to consider her return to the party, as suggested by her Guru Swami Vishvesha Teertha.
But her subsequent refusal to withdraw BJS candidates from Gujarat polls and by-polls in Madhya Pradesh dented her image among her own followers. And all the rumours of her
going back to the BJP were put to rest following BJS convenor board's rejection of the idea.
The main opposition in the state, the Congress, though presented a divided front through the year, managed to wrest the Shivpuri and Sanver assembly, and Sidhi and Khargone Lok Sabha seats.
Despite a high-voltage campaign, BJP was unable to retain the Khargone seat.
Congress's Tulsi Silavat, who is a close confidant of senior leader Jyotiraditya Scindia, wrested the Sanver, forcing the BJP to redraw its strategy for mission 2008.
The opposition attack also led to exposure of a tussle between Lok Ayukta Ripusudan Dayal and Assembly Speaker Ishwardas Rohani, both questioning each other's authority
regarding a probe by the former into construction work in the assembly premises. The matter is now in the Supreme Court.
State Right to Information Commissioner P P Tiwari and dayal also exchanged strong words over inclusion of Lok Ayukta under the RTI Act. The high court was later moved over the issue through a PIL, which was still being heard.
As hectic political activity continued, the year saw complete wipe-out of the dreaded dacoit gang of Rambabu and Dayaram Gadaria in Chambal ravines. The two were killed in encounters with the police.
As part of the anti-dacoity drive, the police were also successful in gunning down dacoit Jagjivan Parihar.
As police kept up the heat against dacoits and outlaws, a major gun manufacturing and research factory of naxalites was unearthed in Bhopal, exposing underground operations of the ultras.
Bureau Report
