Congress Candidates Rajkumar Patel and Mukesh Malhotra for Madhya Pradesh Bypolls

The political landscape in Madhya Pradesh is gearing up for a significant shift as the All India Congress Committee (AICC) has officially announced its candidates for the upcoming by-elections in two key Assembly constituencies: Budhni and Vijaypur. This announcement comes at a crucial time, as both seats have a rich history of political rivalry, particularly between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Rajkumar Patel, a seasoned Congress leader, will be contesting from Budhni. Patel has a notable political background, having previously won the Budhni seat in 1993 and 1998. He also served as a Minister in the government of former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh. In this bypoll, he will face off against BJP's Ramakant Bhargava, who is looking to maintain the party's stronghold in this constituency.

On the other hand, Mukesh Malhotra will represent Congress in Vijaypur. This will be Malhotra's first election under the Congress banner, having previously contested as an Independent candidate. He is set to challenge BJP's Ramniwas Rawat, the current state forest minister, who has a long history of winning elections in this region. Interestingly, Rawat switched from Congress to BJP earlier this year, which adds another layer of complexity to this electoral battle.

Budhni is particularly significant as it has been a stronghold for BJP veteran Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who has represented the seat multiple times. Chouhan's recent election to the Lok Sabha from Vidisha necessitated this bypoll, as he resigned from the Assembly. His political journey began in 1990, and he has been a dominant figure in Madhya Pradesh politics ever since.

The upcoming elections are scheduled for November 13, with the counting of votes set for November 23. As the political campaigns heat up, both parties will be keen to secure these seats, which could influence the overall political dynamics in the state.

The Budhni and Vijaypur by-elections are not just about filling vacant seats; they represent a larger battle for political supremacy in Madhya Pradesh. With seasoned politicians like Rajkumar Patel and Mukesh Malhotra stepping into the fray, voters will have the opportunity to shape the future of their constituencies. As the election date approaches, it will be interesting to see how the campaigns unfold and what strategies each party employs to win over the electorate.