Congress attempt to make Vyapam a major poll plank has failed to cut ice with public. On the contrary, several Vyapam accused are in the fray and enjoying public support. Dr Jagdish Sagar, the Vyapam kingpin, is in fray from Gohad in Bhind district on BSP ticket. He is facing minister Lal Singh Arya (BJP) and Ranvir Jatav of Congress. In fact, Sagar’s entry has made the contest triangular and interesting.
Former minister and Vyapam accused Laxmikant Sharma’s brother Umakant Sharma is contesting from Sironj. With Laxmikant as poll manager, Umakant has been garnering good support in Sironj. Another Vyapam accused Sanjeev Saxena is in fray as independent candidate from Bhopal, South-West.
His strong presence forced ex-CM Digvijaya Singh, who has been in the forefront in raking up Vyapam scam, to visit Saxena’s place to persuade him into withdrawing in favour of Congress candidate. MP MP Jyotiraditya Scindia’s plan to get Vyapam accused Gulab Singh Kirar into partyfold went kaput. Scindia wanted to please a particular community through Kirar. However, the move backfired. MLA Phundelal Marco’s name too had surfaced in the scam. However, Congress has again fielded him from Pushpraj Garh. Marco is said to be in comfortably placed in his seat.
While Vyapam accused are enjoying both political and public support, whistleblowers have been dumped by both. Anand Rai and Paras Sacklecha failed to get a Congress ticket owing to lack of ‘winnability’. Ashish Chaturvedi was keen to enter into electoral fray as Jai Adivasi Yuva Sangathan (JAYS) candidate. However, the plan failed after JAYS chief Hiralal Alawa’s alliance with the Congress.
