Ujjain Lok Sabha Constituency: At The Heart Of Madhya Pradesh Politics
The voting will be held on May 13 in the Ujjain Lok Sabha constituency in the heart of Madhya Pradesh. Out of the total 29 seats in the state, polling has already concluded in 21 seats during the first three phases of the general elections. The BJP and the Congress are engaged in a two-horse race across the eight remaining seats of Madhya Pradesh. These eight remaining seats will see 1.62 crore eligible voters decide the fate of 74 candidates, according to officials.
In Ujjain, the key contenders include Anil Firoziya from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and MLA Mahesh Parmar from Congress. A total of nine candidates are contesting for the Ujjain Lok Sabha seat this time.
Ujjain holds historical significance as the capital of Vikramaditya”s kingdom. Renowned for hosting the Simhastha Kumbh Mela every 12 years, it”s also home to the revered Mahakaal, one of Lord Shiva”s twelve Jyotirlingas. Culturally and politically significant, the constituency was established in 1951 as part of the former Madhya Bharat state.
Ujjain constituency has been reserved for candidates from scheduled castes since 1966. With scheduled castes and scheduled tribes constituting 25.1% and minorities 3.9% in the region, it holds significance in diversity.
Ujjain is currently witnessing a fierce electoral battle primarily between the BJP and Congress. The constituency comprises eight Vidhan Sabha segments, with BJP securing six and Congress two seats in the previous election.
Anil Firoziya, representing BJP, currently serves as the Member of Parliament for the constituency. Ujjain constituency has long been a stronghold for the BJP, with its roots tracing back to the aftermath of the India-China war in 1962. Over the years, stalwarts like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani frequented the region, solidifying BJP”s presence.
Since the inaugural victory in 1967, BJP or earlier formations of the rightwing politics have dominated in 12 out of 17 Lok Sabha elections. The Shri Ram Mandir movement further bolstered BJP”s hold, often leaving Congress struggling to counter. In 2019, Anil Firoziya secured victory for BJP defeating Congress with a significant victory margin of 3,65,637 votes. Ujjain regained political spotlight in 2022 with Prime Minister Narendra Modi”s launch of the Mahakaal Corridor project. Today, with Dr. Mohan Yadav, MLA of Ujjain South, now serving as the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, the region continues to wield considerable political influence.
Mahesh Parmar, a 44-year-old Congress leader and MLA from Tarana, has emerged as a prominent figure in Ujjain”s political landscape. With consecutive victories in the assembly elections, Parmar has solidified his position, drawing income from his involvement in warehousing and agriculture. His longstanding tenure as a District Panchayat member, including a presidency stint from 2013 to 2018, underscores his commitment to public service. Despite facing defeat in the Ujjain Mayor election by a narrow margin, Parmar”s resilience remains evident, particularly in his tough fight against the BJP in the Tarana assembly seat during the 2018 elections.
