ALL eyes from political pavilion of the country is on the State as its commercial capital Indore is going to host mega congregation of high profile political and social figures. In coming three days, BJP National President Nitin Nabin, RSS chief Dr Mohan Bhagwat and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will take part in different events, putting the arch rival BJP and Congress in a tussle to get national attention. Indore will remain at the centre of this confluence. Major question looms about selection of this place, the Malwa region holds massive political and strategic importance in Central India. Commercial centre of the State, Indore serves as a prominent educational, and political power centre of the State. The city has both an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and an Indian Institute of Management (IIM). It is the first choice of State’s youth to take admission at Indore situated academic centres. The new generation or Gen Z issue has taken centre stage at country’s political map. Opposition Congress in the State is relentlessly highlighting the issue of irregularities in various exams notably country’s one of the biggest education scams, VYAPAM which is from Madhya Pradesh. Indore was the main centre. Following a recent student protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar led by the fledgling Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), both the political parties are making efforts to increase youth outreach programmes. Politically, Indore is being seen as the epicentre of State’s politics. During the last Assembly elections all assembly seats were won by the BJP. Talking about Lok Sabha polls, it has become strong seat for BJP since 1989.

 

Saffron party is winning the seat. Sumitra Mahajan represented the Indore Lok Sabha constituency for eight consecutive terms from 1989 to 2019 without ever losing an election from the seat. This time, Shankar Lalwani (BJP candidate) is representing the city in Lok Sabha. Ahead of Rahul’s programme, BJP National President Nitin Nabin and RSS chief Dr Mohan Bhagwat are visiting the State on September 17 and 18. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has a scheduled programme in Indore on September 19, and the Congress is leaving no stone unturned to make the programme ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ successful. On Thursday, BJP National President Nitin Nabin will arrive in Indore as per the proposed programme Nabin will visit Mandsaur, Indore, and Ujjain. These include the launch of the ‘Swamitva Yojana’ (Ownership Scheme), the release of cheetahs at Gandhi Sagar, and a ‘Deepotsav’ (festival of lights) featuring 2.5 million lamps in Ujjain. During this period, RSS chief Dr Mohan Bhagwat will be in Ujjain on September 17 and 18. In addition to addressing volunteers, he will interact with the youth at the ‘Yuva Dharma Sansad’ on September 18. A meeting between Nabin and Bhagwat likely to be held here. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme is scheduled for September 19 in Indore. The BJP and RSS interactions with the youth are planned prior to this, and deliberations regarding these are underway at various locations.

 

BJP State President Hemant Khandelwal stated that National President Nitin Nabin has been invited for the ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’. Programmes including a visit to Shri Mahakal temple and a ‘Deepotsav’ at Mahakal Lok in Ujjain have been proposed. Commenting on Rahul Gandhi’s Indore visit and a post regarding non-vegetarian food, Khandelwal said the Congress should clarify the purpose of his visit. He questioned why Rahul Gandhi speaks about only one religion, challenging him to speak about other religions as well if he has the courage. Nitin Nabin will visit MP for the first time since becoming the BJP’s National President. The ‘Swamitva Yojana’ involving the free registration of residential land in rural areas, may be launched in Indore. Its objective is to grant ownership rights to the rural population. The State aims to extend the benefits of this scheme to approximately 50 lakh (5 million) people. An eventto release cheetahs into the Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary in Mandsaur is also proposed. This event will take place under the BJP’s ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’ (Service Pledge Campaign), which begins on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday. Nitin Nabin is likely to attend, though a final decision regarding the date and time is pending. As per the party sources, a grand ‘Deepotsav’ will be held in Ujjain starting September 17 as part of the ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’.

 

Approximately 25 lakh earthen lamps will be lit along the ghats of the Kshipra River and in the Mahakal Lok area to mark Prime Minister Modi’s birthday and the completion of 25 years of his public life. RSS Chief Dr Mohan Bhagwat will be in Ujjain on September 17 and 18. On September 17, he will address Swayamsevaks (volunteers) from the Ujjain metropolitan area at Arvind Nagar, located within the Mahakal complex. Discussions regarding organisational activities, expansion of work, and future action plans are expected during this visit. On September 18, he will address the youth at the ‘Yuva D h a r m a Sansad’ organised by the Sevagya Sansthanam at Gita Bhawan on Dewas Road. There is also talk of him visiting ‘Aradhana Bhawan’. A meeting with Nitin Nabin is possible, though no official schedule has been released yet. Preparations are on in Indore for Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’. Although originally scheduled for September 12, the date was postponed to September 19 on grounds of lack of permission.

 

After failing to secure approval for Nehru Stadium, the Congress party selected the IDA ground opposite Regional Park as the venue. The Congress has deposited Rs 10 lakh for the IDA ground. Given the anticipated large turnout of youth, preparations regarding security, VIP movement, traffic management, and parking are also being made. State Congress President Jitu Patwari had previously stated that if permission were denied, the party might hold the event on the streets. The Congress claims that over 1.5 lakh youths have registered so far; consequently, managing entry and exit, security, and traffic diversions will pose significant challenges. Talking to ‘The Hitavada’, city Congress President Chintu Chouksey said more than 1.5 lakh registrations have been received for the event till date.