Hitting the campaign trail, state Congress unit chief Jitu Patwari on Wednesday embarked on an extensive outreach programme in support of party candidate Rajkumar Patel in the poll-bound constituency of Budhni on the outskirts of the state capital. Starting from Chakladi, Patwari engaged with the public at the hamlets of Tajpura, Nipania, Satrana, Society Tappar, Nandgaon, Rala, Nasrullaganj, Borkhedakala, Gillaur, Semalapani Kadim, Nimnagaon, Kharasania, Chhindgaon Mauji, Bhadakui, and Ladkui, urging voters to support the Congress candidate and ensure a victory for the party. Speaking on the sidelines of the campaign, Patwari said that the people of Budhni used to vote for former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, but now that he is no longer in the reckoning, the Bharatiya Janata Party has fielded Ramakant Bhargava as the official candidate. The Congress leader cast aspersions on the BJP candidate, claiming that the former bank employee had brought down the entire bank in order to save himself. Patwari emphasised that the Congress candidate, Patel, is experienced, approachable, and empathetic to the struggles of the people. "Having served as both an MLA and a Minister, he has been dedicated to the community. He is a leader who will not let the people sink even if he himself does," he claimed.Patwari pointed out that the BJP government has failed to fulfil its promises to farmers and women. The BJP came to power promising a support price of Rs 2,700 for wheat and Rs 3,100 for rice, but instead deceived the farmers. Additionally, they promised Rs 3,000 for women, which has been reduced to Rs 1,250, while many womens names have also been unjustly removed from eligibility lists. The overall situation in the state is dire, with increasing incidents of atrocities against women leading to national shame. The frequent cases of sexual assault against young girls suggest that law and order in the state has collapsed. Mohan Yadav, who is responsible as both the Chief Minister and Home Minister, is failing to manage either effectively. He is proving utterly incapable of handling the Home Department, and the Chief Minister has turned the state into a jungle raj.Patwari recalled that the Vyapam scam took place during Chouhans reign as Chief Minister. Scandals marred all exams conducted at that time, including a significant paper leak scandal in the state. At this event, many Congress leaders, including Shailendra Patel, Rajkumar Keloo Upadhyay, Rajeev Gujarati, Vivek Tripathi, Anand Jat, and Vikram Mastal, were present with Patwari during the outreach campaign.

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