The common refrain in Rajgarh is that no matter who wins, "jeet to kile ki hi hai" (the victor is the palace)." This is a reference to the family of former Madhya Pradesh CM Digvijay Singh, which ruled over the erstwhile Raghogarh principality.
While Digvijay's brother Laxman is contesting on a BJP ticket from here, the former chief minister is backing his protégé and Congress nominee Justice (retd) Shambu Singh. The Rajgarh electorate have to decide which of the two brothers to support on May 10.
Laxman quit the Congress purportedly over the issue of Sonia Gandhi's foreign origin. But most people suspect that this couldn't have taken place without a nod from his elder brother. “Dono bhaiyon ki saanth gaanth hai, (the brothers are in league)” is the general feeling heard here.
Digvijay is trying to change this impression. He tries telling the electorate that his brother did not listen to him, but it's not an easy job. It's difficult for the party to shift the campaign focus from Laxman to bijli-sadak-pani or farmers' problems.
"You have already punished him once by defeating him" say Congress workers, pleading with voters to choose the Congress and save Digvijay's "prestige."
{{/usCountry}}"You have already punished him once by defeating him" say Congress workers, pleading with voters to choose the Congress and save Digvijay's "prestige."
{{/usCountry}}Meanwhile, saffron strategists, keen to breach Digvijay's bastion, are projecting Laxman as a latecomer to Lord Ram's feet.
But the BJP nominee isn't quite acceptable to the Hindutva brigade. After his nomination raised a furore in the local BJP and Sangh units, Laxman is now trying to prove his saffron credentials.
Saffron leaders admit difficulty in working for a candidate they had systematically opposed. "We tell the voters to choose the BJP symbol so that Vajpayee can become prime minister," said Badri Gupta, at the BJP election office.