Betul, April 11: The general elections are at best a year away, but the Betul Lok Sabha by-election seat is all set to become the barometer for the coming Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls later this year. The ruling BJP is desperately trying to overcome anti-incumbency against the Shivraj Singh Chouhan Government. Going to polls on Saturday, this dusty town has witnessed a high-stake electoral battle. Chouhan and other BJP leaders pitched up against an energetic campaign mounted by Union Commerce Minister Kamal Nath in the past week. The newly-appointed state president of the Congress, Suresh Pachouri, is looking to notch his first political victory in the state.

The Betul by-election has, in fact, become a prestige issue with Chouhan — who has been camping in the town for the past two weeks — trying to undo the electoral losses in Lanji, Saver, Seedhi, Shivpuri and Khargone by-elections and start afresh before the November state elections. On his part, Nath has pushed his entire team from his constituency, Chhindwara, to ensure that his nominee, Pachouri, makes his mark and the stage is set for the Congress’ return in the state.

While BJP is cashing in on rising prices to pan the Congress-led UPA Government, the Congress is lashing back with tales of corruption in the BJP Government. The Indo-US nuclear deal has taken a back seat for the Congress, as it sells the loan waiver and NREGS to its voters. However, both the Congress and the BJP campaigns have been marred albeit on different counts. Before Nath jumped into the fray, the by-election appeared to be a cakewalk for BJP candidate Hemant Khandelwal, who was riding a sympathy wave after the death of his father and sitting MP Vijay Kumar Khandelwal. The Congress candidate, Sukhdev Panse, belongs to one of the majority communities here, the Kunbi.

The BJP faces severe anti-incumbency even though rising prices may limit the damage to its prospects. Chouhan is relying on the RSS inroads into the Adivasi belt, the delay in the announcement of Congress’ candidate and time gained on account of the last-minute preparations by the Opposition party. Incidentally, the only central figure in the BJP’s posters is party president Rajnath Singh with both Vajpayee and Advani missing in action.

Helicopters of Nath and Chouhan crossed each other at Hansia on Thursday with both leaders taking potshots against each other. While Nath promised development and infrastructure, Chouhan harped on UPA’s inability to curb rising prices and terrorism.

There appears to be a distinct enthusiasm for the Congress among the rural populace. However, the BJP seems to be making a better show in Betul town.