Shekhawat's legacy to be tested in Pali

Pali may prove to be the barometer of the increasing influence of BJP in case Cong succeeds in increasing the number of seats.

Legacy of Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat would be tested during ensuing Assembly elections in Pali district from where the former Chief Minister led the BJP in winning five of the eight seats in 1998 polls despite a Congress wave.

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Bereft of any particular party wave, Pali may prove to be the barometer of the increasing influence of BJP in case the opposition party succeeds in increasing not only its share of votes but also the number of seats.

However party stalwarts internally admit that there may not be a gain in terms of seats although voting could improve on account of dissatisfaction against Congress government.

Shekhawat had won Bali seat in the district against Ummed Singh of Congress with the highest margin of 7,660 votes in the district.

Party's local MP Pushp Jain said that BJP would get all the seats in the district mainly on account of the work done by utilizing the MP local area development fund for which as much as 12 crores were made available.