Interestingly, Uma, who was goaded into politics by Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia, used to give religious discourses at the Raghogarh fort (Digvijay`s ancestral house) on the invitation of Digvijay`s father, who was a member of the Hindu Mahasabha. Digvijay, who started his career as municipality chief of Raghogarh, has changed the rules of politics in the state over the last 10 years. The amiable raja knows thousands of people by name. He pulls some nice feel-good tricks which leave opposition leaders speechless. Recently, when Uma missed a train because she was unwell, he arranged a chopper so that she could attend a party meeting. He heeds the requests of BJP legislators and regularly visits former chief minister and BJP leader Sunderlal Patwa.

Digvijay relies more on bureaucracy than his partymen. He regularly keeps in touch with officials even in remote corners. On the contrary, Uma`s unpredictable nature has not earned her many friends. Recently she stood on a chair to get photographed with a supporter. "How can we elect such a woman?" asks a bewildered voter. Her asset is her clean image. "She does not have any corruption charges against her," says Dr Harimohan Purohit of Gwalior.

Both the leaders are trying to project the image of being modern. Uma flaunts her palm-top and talks about her love for cars. Same with Digvijay who carries a palm-top in his jacket all the time.

But despite all the talk about the management tactics, Digvijay knows that a slight swing in voter preference can upset his apple cart. His election speeches are not being received enthusiastically. He was hooted out at one place in the presence of party president Sonia Gandhi. He knows this is going to be one tough fight. Trust him to use all arrows in his quiver.
If the raja loses, he will take sanyas. If the sanyasin wins she will become raja (figuratively, at least). Sounds like one interesting folk riddle, this election of Madhya Pradesh.