Madhya Pradesh elections: Three ministers among 34 MLAs dropped from BJP’s first list

There were no surprises in the first list released on the first day of nomination for the single-phase polling scheduled on November 28 for the 230-member House.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will contest from Budhni. No contestants were announced for any seat in Indore district, and the crucial Govindpura and Bhopal (North) seats in Bhopal district.

The party did not mention when names of remaining 53 candidates will be announced.

Incumbent ministers who have not been fielded are Maya Singh, who has the Urban Development portfolio and represents Gwalior (East) in the Vidhan Sabha, Forest Minister Gaurishankar Shejwar, who has been replaced by his son Mudit from the same Sanchi seat, and Minister of State for Water Resources Harsh Singh, who has been unwell for a long time. Singh’s son Vikram will contest on the BJP ticket from his Rampur Baghelan constituency.

Manohar Untwal and Nagendra Singh, who represent Dewas (SC) and Khajuraho constituencies in Lok Sabha, respectively, have been fielded from Agar (SC) and Nagod constituencies.

Sudesh Rai, who won from Sehore constituency as Independent in 2013, has been fielded from the same seat. Two other Independent MLAs the BJP gave tickets to are Dinesh Rai (Seoni constituency) and Kal Singh Bhabar (Thandla).

Umakant Sharma, brother of former Education minister Laxmikant Sharma, who spent months in jail after being accused of involvement in the Vyapam scam, has been fielded from Sironj in Vidisha district. Laxmikant had lost the 2013 election and was expelled by the BJP after his name figured in the multi-crore scam. The former minister shared the stage with Chief Minister Chouhan recently after a long time.

Former Revenue minister Kamal Patel, who also spent months in jail after the CBI arrested him in connection with the disappearance of a youth and was subsequently acquitted of the charge, has been fielded from Harda constituency. Patel was acquitted of the charge of destruction of evidence in the case.

Minister of State for Women and Child Development Lalita Yadav, who represented Chhatarpur, will contest from Malhara. Assembly Speaker Sitasaran Sharma will again contest from Hoshangabad.
The party fielded several candidates who lost the 2013 polls.