Bhopal, April 9: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is reportedly considering to field Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur from Bhopal Lok Sabha seat against senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh. Sadhvi Pragya, who was accused in the 2008 Malegaon blasts case last year, is seen as a polarising figure because of her hardline Hindutva views. The BJP hasn't announced its candidate from Bhopal Lok Sabha seat.
If the BJP fields Sadhvi Pragya against Singh, it will become a battle of prestige and ideology. While Sadhvi Pragya is seen as a "hardline saffron figure", Singh has been a spearhead of the campaign against "saffron terror". Speaking to TOI, Sadhvi Pragya said she is ready to take the political plunge. "I am ready to defeat the enemy," she said while referring to Singh whom she blames for ruining her public image. Bhopal Lok Sabha Constituency in Madhya Pradesh: Candidates, Current MP, Polling Date And Election Results 2019.
"There are health issues with me for which Singh is responsible. I can never forget the scars he has left in my life," she was quoted as saying. Asked if the BJP responded to her candidature, Sadhvi Pragya said: "I am ready to take the plunge and defeat Digvijaya Singh." Her name was discussed in internal meetings, according to the report. Lok Sabha Elections 2019 Schedule.
Bhopal is a bastion of the BJP in Madhya Pradesh as the party has been winning the seat continuously since 1989. The last Congress MP elected from Bhopal was K N Pradhan in 1984. Lok Sabha elections will be held in Madhya Pradesh in four phases on April 29, May 6, May 12 and May 19. Bhopal Lok Sabha seat will go to polls on May 12.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 09, 2019 01:43 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).