One of the longest serving Chief Ministers of the State and BJP veteran Shivraj Singh Chouhan filed his nomination papers for the Vidisha Lok Sabha seat on Friday. Taking a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Chouhan said “Rahul Gandhi neither understands Hindi nor English, we cannot explain him in Italy. I am not contesting elections to become MP. I am contesting the elections by preparing a vision and roadmap for the development of Vidisha-Raisen, so that I can serve you. Development has already been done in every field here. Rahul Gandhi went to Waynad but I am here to serve you”.

 

Before leaving for his home town Sehore, where he led a mega roadshow, Chouhan along with his wife Sadhna Singh offered prayers at his residence in Bhopal. He appealed to the people of the Vidisha parliamentary constituency saying “I have served Vidisha for several years as an MP and then as the CM for over 17 years. Once again, I am going to file my nomination for the Lok Sabha election and I will seek your support,” Chouhan said in a video message released on Friday. Vidisha-Raisen is the swing of my childhood, the flowerbed of my youth and the Kashi of my old age. Lok Sabha election in-charge Dr. Mahendra Singh was especially present in this public meeting. Vidisha has become BJP’s bastion. Before becoming the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh in 2005, Chouhan won the Vidisha constituency five times in a row in 1991 (by-poll), 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2004. The BJP has retained the Vidisha Lok Sabha seat since 1989.

 

Former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee represented Vidisha Lok Sabha constituency in 1991, while BJP’s other prominent leader, Sushma Swaraj won two elections in 2009 and 2014. Vidisha’s seat comprises eight Assembly segments, including Bhojpur, Sanchi, Silwani, Vidisha, Basoda, Budhni, Ichhawar and Khategaon. Chouhan will face the electoral contest against Congress veteran Bhanu Pratap Sharma. Ramakant Bhargava is the current MP of Vidisha Lok Sabha constituency.