Balancing votes of six geographical divisions a challenge for BJP & Congress

Both national outfits, the BJP and the Congress, which strongly dominate the politics of Madhya Pradesh, are ready to face off again in the poll battle due at the end of this year.

Keeping their voter support intact in all six divisions of the state has always been a challenging task for both the parties in view of the caste equations, the historical background, and changing needs of the people.

While the Congress ruled the state from 1950 to 1977, the right wing, which has a strong base in the state, came to power in 1977 through the Bharatiya Jan Sangh government, and its successor, the BJP from 1990 to 1993.

While the Congress came to power in 1993 and held on till 2003, the BJP came back to power in 2003 and held it since, except for 15 months after the 2018 polls when Congress won more seats.

Now, both sides are putting all efforts to retain or wrest power. If the Congress has a strong presence due to dynastic politics, the strong base of RSS has been the main force behind establishing the BJP.