MP Congress' Second List Explained: 3 Names Changed, 2020 By-Poll Winners Denied Tickets, Former BJP Leaders Chosen

Congress released its second list of candidates for Madhya Pradesh elections on Thursday (19 October) late at night with 88 names.

It is an interesting figure because after releasing the first list with 144 names, only 86 names more were left to be declared for the 230 seats headed for election on 17 November.

However, the Congress changed its nominees to three seats in the second list, thus raising the figure, while declaring a candidate at one seat is still remaining, Dainik Bhaskar reported. This seat is Amla in Betul district.

Here, deputy collector Nisha Bangre wants to contest as a Congress candidate but the decision on her resignation is pending in Jabalpur High Court. Hence, the Congress has not declared its candidate here.

Unlike other states, the Congress has aced ahead of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Madhya Pradesh in declaring candidates by announcing names for 229 seats, while the BJP's figure has reached just 136 through multiple lists.

Tickets to former BJP leaders

Notably, Congress has given tickets to five leaders who came from the BJP. Former MLA from Semariya in Rewa district, Abhay Mishra got a ticket just 24 hours after he joined the Congress.

Similarly, Amit Rai got ticket from Niwari in Tikamgarh district. Congress gave Nramadapuram ticket to former legislative assembly speaker Sitasaran Sharma's brother Girijashankar Sharma.

Former Janata Party Chief Minister Kailash Joshi's son Deepak Joshi got Congress ticket from Bagli who left BJP after being denied a ticket from there and instead being given a ticket from Khategaon.

Incumbent MLAs denied tickets

The second list doesn't give tickets to seven sitting MLAs including Bhopal North MLA Arif Aqueel, whose ticket was given to his son Atif as per his wishes.

Ajab Singh Kushwah, who won in the 2020 by-polls, was denied a ticket from Sumawali after being convicted in a property dispute case. Kuldeep Sikarwar has been given a ticket in his place.

Similarly, Morena MLA Rakesh Mavai, Gohad MLA Mevaram Jatav and Biora MLA Ramchandra Dangi, who won in the 2020 assembly by-polls have been denied a ticket.

Sendhwa MLA Gyarsi Lal Rawat was denied a ticket after he failed in survey reports. Badnagar MLA Murli Morwal was denied a ticket because his son is an accused in a rape case.

These nominees changed

In Datia, Awadhesh Nayak, who joined Congress a few days ago, was given a ticket against Home Minister Narottam Mishra. His nomination was widely protested against. Now Rajendra Bharti has been given a ticket.

Earlier list denied ticket to Gotegaon MLA Narmada Prasad Prajapati and nominated Shekhar Chaudhary. This decision has now been taken back giving a ticket to Prajapati.

Four-time MLA from Pichhore, KP Singh was denied a ticket from Pichhore and nominated from Shivpuri. Shailendra Singh was given a ticket at his place, which now has been given to Arvind Singh Lodhi.