Date:26/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/26/stories/2008112657560500.htm

Other States - Madhya Pradesh

Battle of the brothers on palace turf

K.V. Prasad

It is the Raja’s seat, say supporters
Then why didn’t he contest himself, asks brother

RAGHOGARH (M.P.): It is billed as a proxy fight between two brothers — the former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay Singh and Bharatiya Janata Party MP Lakshman Singh. Forming part of the Rajgarh Lok Sabha constituency, Raghogarh has a significant place on the Madhya Pradesh electoral map as the “home turf” of the palace.

Mr. Digvijay Singh’s decision not to seek re-election here has led to the battle turning more intense. He has fielded his trusted lieutenant, Mool Singh alias Dada Bhai, against the BJP’s Bhupendra Singh Raghuwanshi. The Bharatiya Jan Shakti Party and Bahujan Samaj Party candidates are among the 11 contestants in the fray for Thursday’s elections, for which campaigning has come to a close. Campaigning for Mr. Mool Singh on Monday evening, Mr. Digvijay Singh told The Hindu as he arrived at Salota village: “This is my home turf.” He dismissed the claim that the Congress candidate was in any way handicapped. His supporters say that everybody in the area knows that this seat belongs to Mr. Digvijay Singh, a point contested by his brother.

“I did not want to contest since I am working for the party which keeps me in Delhi most of the time. I did not want my wife to contest, as it would have upset my family life … The last time I introduced my brother and now he has gone over to the BJP… Mool Singh is my trusted man and a vote for him is a vote for me … In any case, I am always around,” Mr. Digvijay Singh tells voters winding through the slushy areas in the village.

Just a few days ago, his brother toured the area canvassing for the BJP candidate. Villagers at Salota said the Rajgarh MP sought to convey to them that Mr. Mool Singh was not Mr. Digvijay Singh’s candidate. “Why would the Raja [as Mr. Digvijay Singh is known in the State] make someone contest, why didn’t he contest himself …,” the villagers quoted Mr. Lakshman Singh telling voters.

Though Raghogarh is just one of the eight Assembly segments of the Rajgarh parliamentary constituency, a contest here symbolises the changed equations between the brothers, who between themselves have represented the area in both Assembly and Parliament.