Shivraj Singh Chouhan Targets Digvijay Singh, Says Congress Loses Wherever He Goes

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched a scathing attack on Congress leader Digvijay Singh during a public event in Vidisha on Tuesday, claiming that the Congress party loses elections wherever Singh campaigns. The remarks come as both parties gear up for the crucial Lok Sabha election next year, with Chouhan himself contesting from his home turf of Vidisha.

"Congress loses wherever he [Digvijay Singh] goes," Chouhan said, accusing the veteran Congress leader of being a liability for his party. The BJP stalwart's statement is seen as part of his party's strategy to discredit the Congress and its leaders in the run-up to the general elections next year.

Chouhan, who served as Madhya Pradesh's longest-serving chief minister before entering the Lok Sabha poll fray two decades after, expressed confidence in winning the Vidisha seat with a record margin. The constituency has been a BJP stronghold for decades, with Chouhan representing it until 2004 before assuming the state's top office. Observers have claimed the election to be a "one-sided affair" in Chouhan's favor, given his strong connection to the region and the BJP's historical dominance.

The Congress has fielded Pratap Bhanu Sharma to challenge Chouhan in Vidisha, a seat that has also been represented by veteran BJP leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Sushma Swaraj in the past. However, the BJP is expected to have a smooth sailing not only in Vidisha but also in other key seats across Madhya Pradesh, such as Guna-Shivpuri, Khajuraho, Indore, and Hoshangabad.

Why this matters: The verbal duel between Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Digvijay Singh highlights the intensifying political rivalry between the BJP and Congress in Madhya Pradesh ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The outcome of these elections will not only determine the representation of the state in the lower house of Parliament but also set the tone for the subsequent state assembly polls.

As the campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections heats up, the war of words between the BJP and Congress leaders is expected to escalate further. With Chouhan's entry into the fray and his targeting of Digvijay Singh, the battle for Madhya Pradesh's seats has become a prestige issue for both parties, with far-reaching implications for their political fortunes in the state and beyond.

Key Takeaways

• MP CM Chouhan attacked Congress leader Digvijay Singh, claiming Congress loses where he campaigns.
• Chouhan is contesting from Vidisha, a BJP stronghold, and is confident of winning with a record margin.
• Congress has fielded Pratap Bhanu Sharma to challenge Chouhan, but BJP is expected to dominate key seats.
• The verbal duel highlights the intensifying BJP-Congress rivalry in MP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
• The outcome of the 2024 elections will set the tone for the subsequent state assembly polls in MP.