Dhar (Madhya Pradesh): The winter sun is about to set, but the campaigning day is just beginning for both Congress and BJP candidates here in the Dhar assembly constituency.
With scores of party workers and supporters in tow, sitting MLA and BJP candidate Neena Verma and Congress candidate Prabha Gautam intensify their election campaigning with every passing day. With the BJP's decision to field Verma, wife of former Union Minister and senior BJP leader Vikram Verma, from the seat, Congress put its faith in Prabha Gautam once again.
Both the candidates had contested the same seat in 2018, and Verma defeated her arch-rival by a margin of mere 5,718 votes. Dhar is the only assembly seat in the district out of a total of seven seats, which the BJP managed to win as Congress won the remaining six seats.
Biggest constituency in terms of voters
Dhar seat is classified as an urban seat. As per the data available, the assembly had a total of 2,48,802 voters, including 1,29,861 males, 1,18,837 females, and 10 third genders. In 2018, though the voting percentage remained the lowest among all seven seats in the district (73.54 per cent), many believed this led to a decrease in the winning margin (3.04 per cent).
Voters Scenario (In 2023)
Total voters: 2,48,802
Male: 1,29,861
Female: 1,18,837
Third gender: 10
Voting scenario (In 2018)
Voting per cent: 73.54
Neena Verma (BJP): 93,180 (49.47%)
Prabha Gautam (INC): 87,462 (46.43%)
Victory margin: 5,718 (3.04%)
Issues at Galore
Like other constituencies, Dhar assembly constituency has its own set of problems, and every time both parties promise to resolve this if they come into power. Neena Verma has been the MLA for Dhar assembly seat for 15 years, and the BJP has had Dhar seats for the last two decades. Verma’s extensive experience and dedication to public service have earned her immense popularity among the residents of Dhar.
Additionally, her consistent re-election as MLA from BJP reflects the trust and confidence that the people have placed in her leadership abilities. However, the assembly constituency still grapples with unresolved issues amidst a lack of medical colleges, engineering colleges, poor infrastructure and any industries.
Locals claimed that the medical college for Dhar district has just been announced, whereas, in a tribal district like Dhar, there are neither engineering colleges nor agriculture colleges nor any industries. Voters here claimed that Pithampur (situated about 40 km from Dhar) is one of the major industrial hubs in the region, and it is near Indore and Mhow.
The youth of Dhar town not getting its benefits as majority of industries engage people from Indore or Bihar and UP. If seen from the business point of view, most of the businessmen do business from Indore.
Besides, the absence of rail connectivity plays a major hurdle in development here, as the majority of economies are agriculture-driven and a lack of rail connectivity hinders them from sending their goods to other parts of the country.
How do contestants take on issues?
When Free Press contacted BJP candidate and sitting MLA Neena Vikram Verma, she said that we will try to build a medical college soon because it has been announced.
Regarding the water problem, she said that the Narmada line going to Badnawar should be brought to Dhar. The work of water distribution in the city is the responsibility of the municipality.
On the other hand, Prabha Gautam says that if the government is formed then efforts will be made to make the medical college an actuality.
Regarding the water problem, with whatever maximum amount is available from the government, will be utilised. She said that efforts will be made to open any big industry near Dhar.
