After bitter run-up,test for CM popularity

Following a no-holds-barred campaign characterised by personal attacks,Madhya Pradeshs 4.64 crore voters will cast their ballot Monday to decide whether the BJPs Shivraj Singh Chouhan cements his position with a third consecutive shot at power. The Congress fightback was led by Jyotiraditya Scindia,but the party may have left it for too late by appointing him hellip;

Following a no-holds-barred campaign characterised by personal attacks,Madhya Pradeshs 4.64 crore voters will cast their ballot Monday to decide whether the BJPs Shivraj Singh Chouhan cements his position with a third consecutive shot at power.

The Congress fightback was led by Jyotiraditya Scindia,but the party may have left it for too late by appointing him as poll campaign chief only in September.

In a poll whose run-up has lacked any perceptible wave,the BJP is banking on the personal popularity of Chouhan and his governance record,complemented by populist and welfare schemes. Nearly 23 lakh voters will be exercising their franchise for the first time.

The BJPs prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi addressed as many as 15 rallies in the state. Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh addressed fewer. Chouhan also took out a Jan Ashirwad Yatra,when he crisscrossed all 230 seats.

While the chief minister remains popular,many of his MLAs and ministers are struggling against anti-incumbency. The party denied tickets to 43 out of 143 legislators but could drop only two ministers. Two other ministers are not contesting for other reasons.

The Congress challenge was propelled by Scindia,a move that robbed the BJP of a crucial issue. The party had wanted to target former chief minister Digvijaya Singhs 10-year rule. While it had a lot to say against Singh,the BJP could place just one advertisement against Scindia,and that was one of its sober ones.

The campaign was among the most vicious the state has seen. Each party blamed the other for starting it. Chouhan has slapped a legal notice on Sonia Gandhi and PCC chief Kantilal Bhuria. Congress coordinator Harish Rawat has alleged the BJP spent nearly Rs 1,000 crore on the campaign.