MP polls: 60 out of 230 Assembly seats identified as expenditure sensitive

To keep a tab on cash movement and other inducements in Madhya Pradesh during polls slated later this year, the Election Commission has flagged 60 out of the total 230 Assembly seats in Madhya Pradesh as "expenditure sensitive".

This slot includes seats represented by state Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan (Budhni) and Leader of Opposition, Ajay Singh (Churhat). Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampat, while reviewing preparations last month for the state Assembly polls, stated that 60 Assembly seats have been identified as 'expenditure sensitive'.

For these constituencies, the EC has issued elaborate guidelines to control use of money power, liquor and other inducements. The Commission will keep a close eye on expenditure in these constituencies by appointing central expenditure observers and also through videography. With time, the list may be modified further.

Among the 60 seats identified by the district electoral officers (collectors), 47 are represented by BJP while 11 are with Congress, the sources said.

The remaining two are currently represented by expelled Congress leader Choudhary Rakesh Singh Chaturvedi (Bhind) and BJP leader Raghavji (Vidisha). Of these seats, 25 are represented by ministers, including Babulal Gaur (Govindpura), Kailash Vijaywargiya (Mhow), Anoop Mishra (Gwalior East), Laxmikant Sharma (Sironj) and Narottam Mishra (Datia) Jayant Mallaiya (Damoh).

The 'expenditure sensitive' seats also include those of prominent leaders like Ajay Vishnoi (Patan), Rajendra Shukla (Rewa), Nagendra Singh (Nagod), Uma Shankar Gupta (Bhopal South-West), Tukojirao Pawar (Dewas) Archana Chitnis (Burhanpur) Ranjana Baghel (Manawar) and Mahendra Hardia (Indore-5), official sources said.

The seat of state Assembly Speaker Ishwardas Rohani (Jabalpur Cantt) also figures in the list. The EC has specially mobilised and sensitised Income Tax, Excise and police departments on the issue. A workshop for political parties on expenditure monitoring was held earlier where they were asked to exercise self-restraint in election expenses.