Bhopal — The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress are set to engage in a political tug-of-war over the legacy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in Madhya Pradesh next week. Both parties have announced major campaigns centered around Ambedkar's birthplace, Mhow, with the Congress launching its "Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan" campaign on Jan. 27 and the BJP countering with "Samvidhan Gaurav Diwas."

The BJP will field a heavy roster of senior leaders for its campaign, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda (also the BJP national president), and Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari. Shah will rally in Bhopal, while Gadkari will attend events in Indore. Nadda will rally in Jabalpur, while Vinod Tawde, BJP national general secretary, presides over a program in Rewa. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will also lead events in Gwalior, Ujjain, and Sagar.

The Congress, aiming to regain momentum after its defeat in the 2023 Assembly elections, will launch its campaign from Mhow with party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in attendance. "All Congress Working Committee (CWC) members, former and sitting chief ministers, and senior leaders from across the country will join the campaign in Mhow," said Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari. Patwari has prepared for the event by meeting with party workers and touring Malwa-Nimar to build momentum.

The Congress hopes to leverage the significant Dalit population in Madhya Pradesh by emphasizing its commitment to Ambedkar's ideals. This campaign marks the party's first major political event in the state since its leadership change following the election defeat.