Lok Sabha elections 2019: Farm crisis a key issue in Madhya Pradesh’s Khandwa - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Lok Sabha elections 2019: Farm crisis a key issue in Madhya Pradesh’s Khandwa

Hindustan Times, Khandwa | By
May 14, 2019 08:08 AM IST

This Lok Sabha seat that goes to polls on May 19 is seen as a communally sensitive spot in Madhya Pradesh.

Khandwa is best known as the city to which Kishore Kumar, legendary playback singer, belonged. Now, this Lok Sabha seat that goes to polls on May 19 is seen as a communally sensitive spot in Madhya Pradesh. The proscribed Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) has a strong presence here.

Khandwa Lok Sabha seat that goes to polls on May 19 is seen as a communally sensitive spot in Madhya Pradesh.(Mujeeb Faruqui/HT File Photo)
Khandwa Lok Sabha seat that goes to polls on May 19 is seen as a communally sensitive spot in Madhya Pradesh.(Mujeeb Faruqui/HT File Photo)

Of the eight SIMI activists who were gunned down in a police encounter on October 31, 2016, within hours of their audacious jail break from the high security Bhopal central jail, five were from Khandwa.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Muslims comprise around 250,000 of the 1.99 million-strong electorate in the eight assembly constituencies that fall within this seat, and that are spread across Dewas, Khandwa, Burhanpur and Khargone districts.

Local political workers say Muslims form around 30% of the voters in Khandwa, a shade over 50% in Burhanpur and between 5-10% in remaining constituencies. The two main candidates in the fray are Congress’s Arun Yadav and Nand Kumar Singh Chouhan of BJP. Both were state presidents of their respective parties; both ceased being so just before the 2018 assembly polls.

Salim Patel, a Congress leader, said, “There is an undercurrent of anger within the Muslims due to recent events, but we have little choice but to vote for Congress because the prospect of Modi, whose recent actions included passing Triple Talaq bill through, coming back is frightening.”

Also read: ‘Nothing but a sin’: PM Modi stings Digvijaya Singh for failing to vote

But Chouhan said “There is no alienation among Muslims, and many have realised that BJP does not use them as a vote bank. We are for ‘Sab Ka Saath Sab Ka Vikas’, be it Muslims, tribals or any other community.”

There are a large number of tribal voters in four assembly segments — Dewas, Pandhana, Nepanagar and Bhikangoan. In Jamnia Khurd village, Kishore Mehekal, a Bhil tribal, is happy that his debt of Rs 93,000 has been waived off, but remains unhappy about the lack of irrigation facilities in his village. Livelihood is also a significant issue here. Living in congested areas of Imlipura, youth are poorly educated and unemployed. “Muslims urgently need education and jobs, otherwise, the divide between communities will only increase,” said Bhopal-based political commentator LS Hardenia.

Also read: After state poll loss, RSS steps up Madhya Pradesh tribal outreach

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 22, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On