MP polls: Mixed bag for kin of sitting and former politicos

It was a mixed bag for kin of sitting and former politicians in Madhya Pradesh where sons of five former chief ministers won from their respective assembly constituencies in recently-concluded elections.

Leading the pack is Ajay Singh, incumbent Leader of Opposition and son of former Congress stalwart (late) Arjun Singh (1988-1989).

Ajay retained his Churhat constituency, which he has been representing since 1985, by making his nearest rival Sharadendu Tiwari of BJP bite the dust.

Former chief minister Digvijay Singh's son Jaiwardhan in his debut election defeated Radhe Shyam Dhakad of BJP from the family pocketborough of Raghogarh in Guna district.

Harsh Singh (BJP), son of ex-chief minister Govind Narayan Singh (1967-69), won from Rampur Baghelan constituency in Satna district by defeating Ram Lakhan Singh of BSP.

Deepak Joshi (BJP), son of Kailah Joshi who was chief minister of the state in 1977-78, retained his Hatpipliya seat in Dewas district by taming the challenge of Th. Rajendra Singh Baghel of Congress.

Former chief minister Virendra Kumar Saklecha's son Om Prakash Saklecha (BJP) won from Jawad constituency.

Also among the kin of regional satraps to make it to the Assembly this time are ex-chief minister Sunderlal Patwa's nephew, Surendra Patwa who emerged victorious from Bhojpur constituency by defeating senior Congress leader Suresh Pachouri.

However, former chief minister Uma Bharti's nephew Rahul Lodhi failed to win from Khargapur constituency as he lost to Chanda Surendra Singh Gaur of Congress.

Prominent among losers is Anoop Mishra, nephew of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who lost from Bhitrwar seat in Gwalior district to Lakhan Singh Yadav of Congress.

Congress MP Prem Chand Guddu's son Ajit Guddu lost from Alote seat.