Churhat, Raghogarh, Harsud, Gwalior, Rewa and Dewas. All Assembly constituencies of Madhya Pradesh going to polls on November 25. But what sets them apart is the fact that all have members of erstwhile royal families contesting.
From the formerly princely state of Raghogarh, the candidate is Jaivardhan Singh, son of Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh. Fondly called “Baba” by locals, Jaivardhan is campaigning in earnest.
Churhat royalty produced one of the most influential politicians of his time, Arjun Singh. Now his legacy is being carried forward by his son and leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Ajay Singh.
The erstwhile royal family of Katthiwara is being represented by former BJP minister Kunwar Vijay Shah, who is contesting from Harsud. Shah came into the limelight after he was forced to resign for making crass remarks about Sadhna Singh, wife of CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
BJP minister Tukojirao Pawar, who belongs to the Dewas royalty, is in the fray from his home turf, Dewas.
The Scindia dynasty, founded in 1731 by Ranoji Rao Scindia in Gwalior, has two active faces this election. Gwalior MP Yashodhara Raje Scindia is contesting on a BJP ticket from Shivpuri, while Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia is spearheading the Congress fight.
The Rewa royal family is represented by former Congress minister Pushpraj Singh. Denied a party ticket to contest this election, the miffed raja has decided to contest as an Independent.