Indore: While both the Tai and Bhai camps were fighting it out for Indore seat, former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan cleverly took away ticket for his loyalist Shankar Lalwani, former chairman of Indore Development Authority (IDA). Initially, when his name was surfaced, both the Tai and Bhai camps never thought that party would be serious on him. But when they came to know that Chouhan recommended his name and both the leaders got active and pushed for names of their respective camp members. While eight-time MP Sumitra Mahajan reportedly sought party ticket for her son Milind, party general secretary Kailash Vijyavargiya wanted ticket either to him or a candidate recommended by him. Names of Indore-2 MLA, Ramesh Mendola, Mhow MLA Usha Thakur, Indore Mayor Malini Gaud and former mayor Krishna Murari Moghe also did the rounds.
But, the party did not find any of them suitable and finally announced Lalwani as candidate for Indore. When Lalwani started his political career, he got closer to Mahajan but as her camp gave him a cold shoulder after which he reached to the Vijayvargiya’s camp. In the Vijayvargiya camp, he did not find a respectable place and opted out. After some time, he got closer to Shivraj Singh Chouhan. He reportedly made entry into the Chouhan’s camp through Sadhana Singh, wife of Chouhan.
When Indore-4 MLA and the then higher education minister Laxman Singh Gaud died in a car accident in 2007, Lalwani sought ticket from Indore-4 Assembly seat but Chouhan preferred late Gaud’s wife Malini over him and other ticket seekers.
Malini Gaud remained the first choice of Chouhan for Indore-4 seat, so Lalwani did not get ticket to contest the assembly elections. But when it comes to Lok Sabha election, Chouhan picked Lalwani over Gaud and others. Mahajan’s first choice was her son Milind. She reportedly tried to convince party to give ticket to her son otherwise the Marathi community voters may drift apart from the BJP but to no avail.
Chouhan has to put in sweat and blood
As Shivraj has got ticket for Lalwani, he would have to put his sweat and blood to ensure that his loyalist wins the election seat which has been a BJP bastion for the last three decades. As Lalwani has not contested any major election, so it would be not a cake walk for him to defeat experienced Congress candidate Pankaj Sanghvi. Lalwani contested only coproator’s elections. On the other hand, Sanghvi contested Lok Sabha, mayoral and assembly and corporator elections but won only corporator elections. So the contest between the two may be neck and neck. If Bhai and Tai did not support Lalwani then it will be difficult for him to win the seat. In that situation, Shivraj would have to come to Indore to support Lalwani.
Strength
Clean Image, soft-spoken
Highly educated, BTech from Mumbai
Tall leader of Sindhi community
Have good reputation in both Tai and Bhai camps
Weakness
No major achievement to his credit
Does not have a big line of supporters
No support base in rural areas
Never contested any big election
