New Delhi: Claiming that two private surveys predicted that BJP will retain power in Madhya Pradesh in the November assembly elections, the saffron party has gone into poll mode on a high note highlighting its achievements and countering opposition barbs.

Senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu, who is in-charge of MP, claimed that the surveys show the party overcoming anti-incumbency in most seats it had won last time.

"I won't say there is no anti-incumbency but it may be against some candidates and not the party. And let us remember that the profile of as many as 58 constituencies has changed post-delimitation," Naidu told PTI.

He rubbished recent reports which said the party, considering non-winnable status of many lawmakers, may replace up to 60 sitting MLAs out of 173 in the 230-member assembly.

Naidu, however, agreed that the surveys completed recently - one conducted by an agency from MP and the other by a Delhi-based firm - did check the winnability of its MLAs. The conclusion of the reports will play a crucial role in finalisation of candidates list, he said.

"We have also sent our party representatives to the state to discuss the names of candidates and other issues with BJP units at the block, panchayat and district levels. The candidates list will be announced after Diwali," Naidu said.

The saffron party arguably faces its biggest challenge from firebrand leader Uma Bharti who deserted the party and floated Bhartiya Janshakti Party after she was replaced by Shivraj Singh Chouhan as chief minister.

She gave BJP the jitters recently when her rally in Bhopal attracted a huge crowd.
Source : PTI