BJP Stronghold Continues In Morena With Shivmangal Singh Tomar's Victory

The BJP continues its stronghold over the Morena Lok Sabha seat with the victory of Shivmangal Singh Tomar with 5,15,477 votes defeating his nearest rival and Congress candidate Satyapal Singh Sikarwar with a margin of 52,530 votes. Sikarwar bagged 4,62,947 votes.

BJP’s Tomar gave the slogan of “400 paar (beyond 400),” indicating that BJP will win more than 400 seats in the Lok Sabha elections. Tomar contested in election for the first time from Dimani, during 2008 assembly election. He won the election and became the MLA, by defeating Ravindra Singh Tomar of Congress with a margin of mere 256 votes. However, in the 2013 assembly election, he faced a massive defeat against BSP and he lost to Congress’ Girraj Dandotia in 2018 assembly election.

Satyapal Singh Sikarwar, aka Neetu, is a former BJP member and former MLA from Sumawali. Sikarwar’s father and former MLA, Gajraj Singh Sikarwar, wields significant influence in Morena and Gwalior districts. His brother Satish Singh Sikarwar, also a former BJP member who joined Congress, is the grand old party’s candidate from the Gwalior East assembly seat.

Sikarwar was elected as the MLA from the Sumawali assembly seat in 2013 on a BJP ticket. In 2003, his father, too, had won the same seat.

Two days before the 2020 assembly by polls, Sikarwar was expelled from the saffron party for ‘gross indiscipline’ and allegedly engaging in anti-party activities. Following his expulsion, Sikarwar’s supporters burned effigies of BJP leaders in protest.

The Morena Lok Sabha constituency comprises eight Vidhan Sabhas, including Shoepur, Vijaypur, Sabalgarh, Joura, Sumawali, Morena, Dimani, and Ambah (SC). As per the 2011 census, there is an SC population of 20.1 percent, ST 6.4 percent, and Muslim 2.8 percent.