Bhopal, June 9 (IANS) Political temperatures in Madhya Pradesh have soared ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections scheduled for June 18, as the Bharatiya Janata Party’s bold decision to field a third candidate has left the Congress deeply rattled. Sources in the party said, barring a few, almost all MLAs are going to Karnataka.

However, they refused to disclose the location. The move, according to sources, is set to begin around 2 p.m. on Tuesday (June 9), with most legislators departing for Karnataka to ensure unity and prevent any last-minute defections.

A few senior MLAs are expected to remain in Bhopal for coordination. However, none of the MLAs openly talk about the reason to leave Bhopal. A few told the media that they were going on their own reasons with their families.

Chief whip Sohan Valmiki told a section of the media that almost all the MLAs along with their families are going to Karnataka through a special plane on the instructions of the party high command.

With the ruling BJP commanding a strong majority in the 230-member state Assembly, the party is eyeing a clean sweep of all three seats, prompting the Congress to take extraordinary measures to safeguard its lone candidate Meekashi Natrajan’s prospects.

The BJP has nominated national general secretary Tarun Chugh, state unit secretary Rajneesh Agrawal, and Mahesh Kevat for the three seats. This move came after initial announcements for two candidates, with Kevat’s name adding fresh intrigue.

On the other side, the Congress has fielded former Lok Sabha member Meenakshi Natarajan, a close associate of Rahul Gandhi, for the seat being vacated by senior leader Digvijaya Singh.

All candidates have filed their nominations, setting the stage for a contest on June 18.

In the 230-seat Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly, the BJP holds 164 seats (MLAs) while the Congress has 64, with one seat held by the Bharat Adivasi Party and another vacant. A candidate needs 58 first-preference votes to win a seat. The BJP’s strength comfortably secures two seats with around 116 votes, leaving surplus votes that fall short of the threshold for the third by roughly 10.

This arithmetic has fuelled intense speculation about possible cross-voting from Congress ranks.

Fearing poaching or inducements, the Congress leadership swung into action. After day-long meetings on June 8 and an evening dinner session, the party finalised plans to shift its MLAs to Bengaluru in Karnataka, according to party sources.

Congress leaders have accused the BJP of undermining democratic norms by fielding a third candidate despite lacking the numbers on paper. Party chief Jitu Patwari alleged attempts to influence legislators through various means.

The BJP, however, remains confident, asserting that its organisational strength and groundwork will deliver all three seats. Senior party figures have hinted at strong internal support and potential backing beyond its own ranks.

While the BJP aims for a decisive victory to bolster its position in the Upper House, the Congress is focused on protecting its single seat and maintaining internal discipline amid reported discontent over Natarajan’s selection.

–IANS

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