As the 2024 Lok Sabha elections approach, the Congress party bets on Phool Singh Baraiya, the MLA for Bhander, as their candidate for the Bhind-Datia seat. Baraiya, a leader of the Scheduled Castes, is known for his audacious statements. Notably, following a public pledge, he marked his face with black at the Raj Bhavan during the 2023 Assembly elections. This announcement has triggered contention within Congress itself.
Just this Tuesday, Congress released its second list of Lok Sabha candidates, featuring ten from Madhya Pradesh. Phool Singh Baraiya, the MLA from Bhander seat, has been nominated for the Bhind constituency.
Challenging the BJP's optimistic claims of winning over 400 seats, Congress candidate Baraiya retorted by saying, "Forget 400; I'd concede they've achieved something if they cross 200 under Modi's leadership."
In the previous assembly elections, Congressman Baraiya had vowed to blacken his face if the BJP won more than 50 seats in the state. However, the BJP secured a two-thirds majority with 163 seats, while the Congress was contained to just 66 seats.
Subsequently, Baraiya, along with former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh and other party leaders and workers, arrived at the Raj Bhavan in Bhopal. There, Singh symbolically applied a black spot on Baraiya's face.
"I applaud Phool Singh Baraiya for sticking to his word," stated former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh. "He was prevented from going through with his pledge. With BJP having less than 50 leads in postal ballots, there was no need to blacken his face. It's the BJP that should feel disgrace," he added.
After Baraiya received his ticket, fissures appeared in Congress. Devashish Jarariya, the former candidate for the parliamentary constituency, openly expressed his dissatisfaction. On social media, Jarariya wrote, "Coming from a middle-class family, I struggled in the area for 5 years, enduring hardship. Loyalty, perseverance, and integrity have brought me nothing but punishment.", "The affection I've received from all colleagues, supporters, and well-wishers in the Bhind Datia Lok Sabha constituency is immeasurable. My pain is not only mine but shared by all those who have supported me day and night, maintained continuous hard work and contact. It is a challenging and critical time for me as well; I implore you all to remain patient. I will meet with you soon."
Baraiya had won the Bhander seat by a significant margin of 29,438 votes. This Congress leader had defeated BJP's Ghanshyam Pironiya. In 2018, Raksha Santram Sironia had claimed victory on this seat for Congress. However, after joining the BJP with Jyotiraditya Scindia, Sironia maintained her winning streak in the 2020 elections. Nonetheless, BJP replaced Sironia with former MLA Ghanshyam Pironiya, who failed to secure a win for the party this time around.
