A three cornered contest between the Bahujan Samaj Part (BSP), Congress and BJP is expected in Bhander (SC) constituency in Gwalior division. The BSP has a very strong presence in the constituency on account of a large number of backward class population. BSP state president Phool Singh Baraiya will be seeking re-election from here.
Baraiya had won in 1998 defeating Pooran Singh Palaiya of the BJP. Palaiya has been contesting from the seat for the last three elections. He had won in 1990. Congress candidates have been winning the seat but the advent of BJP and BSP changed the equation altogether.
For Phool Singh Baraiya, it is the time to show his authority on the party as he also happens to be BSP's state party chief.
Bhander is located 30 Km. from Datia. Bhander is recently merged as 3rd Tehsil in Datia District. Mahabharat period name of Bhander was "Bhandakpur" and famous for Son-Tallaiya, Laxman Mandir and Old Fort.