Crucial poll issues of Madhya Pradesh

Sushmita Dutta

Madhya Pradesh has played a key role in all the general elections, and for 15th Lok Sabha polls 29 MPs here would be crucial for any alliance at the Centre. The Congress is yet to forget the recent defeat at the hands of BJP in the assembly polls, while the BJP is raring to go riding high on its success. In the last general elections, the Congress could win only four seats, while the BJP had swept the rest of 25 seats. The latter is hopeful of repeating the same feat in the Lok Sabha polls slated in two phases on April 23 and 30. The rival political parties are campaigning heavily cornering each other on the issues ranging from water scarcity to in-fighting, and other national issues. Water Scarcity, development One of the most critical issues during these elections is definitely the major water crisis in the state. The scarcity of water, especially during the summer season, has always been a woe for the people here. Water levels have fallen down to a stage where migration of people from particular areas is the only solution. Recently, the problem has worsened and for the first time it has been realised during the winter also. The capital city Bhopal has been the worst hit. The lakes that are source of the city’s water requirements have dried up causing lot of problems. But it is not only about water scarcity, but also about the quality of water. Thousands of people are suffering from diarrhoea and flurosis. The districts of Guna, Seoni, Shivpuri, Bina, Sagar etc are worst-hit. Most of the districts have excess fluoride in water affectives the lives of millions. Besides water, development issues like rural education, roads and hygiene system also is a big challenge. The time has come for the politicians to move away from the empty promises and make concrete efforts to sort out people’s problem. Terror attacks, Naxalism Recently, the state witnessed rise of some anti-national elements like the SIMI and the Saffron terror, thereby the arrest of Sadhvi Pragya Thakur and her associates for their alleged involvement in triggering blasts. They not only hurt the state’s image but also lead to spread of violence in several parts of the state. This election is definitely going to see this issue being highlighted during the campaign. The state also has a long history of the Naxal terror. In the recent times, the Red terror has claimed several lives in the state and has become a perennial problem troubling not only Madhya Pradesh but also its neighbouring states. Along with terror and Naxal problem, the state is confronting the law and order problem. The local residents in different districts have come ahead to voice their concern and have to a great extent made it an important poll issue. Factional feud in Congress During 2004 Lok Sabha elections the rift among the top Congress leaders from the state gave benefit to the BJP, which swept the state. The oldest party is striving hard to put forth a united face besides attacking the BJP on different fronts. Despite a robust economic growth and having international attention in India’s favour in the wake of 26/11 attack the Congress is finding it difficult to convey the right message among electorate. BSP factor The recently held assembly elections sprung up some surprising results. BSP won seven assembly seats after its dismal performance for over a decade. This has changed the dimensions considerably. In 1996, BSP had won two border seats of Rewa and Satna, but since then it gave a zilch presentation. Though its presence has been long felt in the state, it never turned to numbers. But its recent victory in the assembly has made it confident to give a tough fight on atleast 7 to 10 seats. Even if the BSP manages to retain its 1996 performance, it could be very interesting to watch the increasing influence of BSP supremo Mayawati to other states.