A Template For 2024? Congress Fears "Trap" Of Smaller Parties, Including Its Allies In Madhya Pradesh Elections

Senior Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh cautioned voters not to be swayed by smaller political parties, emphasising the state is primarily dominated by two major parties, the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The statement comes in the backdrop of other INDI Alliance parties like Samajwadi Party (SP), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)] are set to contest elections scheduled for 17 November.

In a video message shared on the social media platform X, Singh conveyed, "There are only two major parties, particularly in Madhya Pradesh. It will be either the Congress or the BJP that forms the government. These smaller parties do not possess the capability to lead."

He appealed to the voters not to fall into the "trap" of these smaller parties, highlighting that the public's desire for change could only be realised by electing a Congress government to put an end to the 20-year mismanagement in the state.

Singh expressed confidence in the leadership of Pradesh Congress Committee President Kamal Nath and declared that they would work together to defeat the BJP, The Hindu reported.

Apart from Congress, BJP and the three INDI Alliance parties, several other parties such as the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in alliance with the Gondwana Gantantra Party (GGP) and the Aazad Samaj Party (ASP) - Kanshi Ram, have also fielded their candidates in various constituencies.

Digvijaya Singh's message is perceived as an effort to prevent the splitting of votes in multiple constituencies, which could potentially benefit BJP because INDI Alliance parties will most probably cut into Congress' vote share.

Notably, in 2018, the victory margin was less than 2,000 votes in 18 seats in the 230-seat assembly election, and with a close contest expected this time, each vote matters, which is the cause of Congress' worry.

Previously, the Congress and the Akhilesh Yadav-led SP had engaged in discussions about a possible alliance in the state, but the talks failed, leading to a public feud between the leaders of the two parties.

The SP and the BSP, both Uttar Pradesh-based parties, have a significant presence in regions near Uttar Pradesh, such as the Vindhya region, where the AAP is also attempting to make inroads this time. In the last election, the BJP had a dominant performance in the Vindhya region, winning 24 out of 30 seats, while the Congress secured only six.

The GGP has a substantial support base in certain areas of the tribal-dominated Mahakoshal region. Led by Chandra Shekhar Aazad, the ASP has also fielded its candidates to appeal to the more than 15 per cent Dalit voters in the state.

Digvijaya Singh also criticised the BJP, accusing it of "spreading misconceptions" about his relationship with Kamal Nath. He refuted any allegations of discord between them and urged party supporters not to pay attention to the "rumors," asserting that the Congress was united in its efforts for the elections.