As the campaigning winds down for the November 25 Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Jaivilas Palace, the Scindia residence, is abuzz with political activity.
And, the hum of activity is only echoed in the sound of helicopter blades as the Congress's campaign committee chief, Jyotiraditya Scindia, lifts off on a whirlwind election tour.
The buzz is also evident at Rani Mahal at 9 A.M. in morning as Jyotiraditya's maternal grand aunt Maya Singh, who is the BJP MP contesting the Gwalior East Assembly seat, sets off with her cavalcade on the campaign trail.
Campaigning for the Assembly elections in the state ends tomorrow.
While BJP, which is seeking a third straight term in power in the state, is banking on Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan's grassroots politics, Congress has put its faith in the young face and legacy represented by Jyotiraditya and his Scindia name. Also, for Congress, the delayed "unity" which the party's various warring factions in the state have of late managed to find has come as a boost before the elections.
Mindful of the Scindia scion's impact in Gwalior, Chambal and Guna in particular, BJP has planned to corner the opposition on its home turf by fielding Jyotiraditya's aunt, Gwalior MP Yashodara Raje, from Shivpuri Assembly seat along with Rajya Sabha MP Maya Singh from Gwalior East.
While Yashodhara is the sister of Jyotiraditya's father, the late Madhavrao Scindia, Maya is married to Dhyanendra Singh, who is related to the late Rajmata Vijayraje Scindia, who helped the erstwhile Jan Sangh get a foothold in the region.
Maya is referred to as 'Maami' (maternal aunt) even in the election cut-outs and posters in Gwalior city.
There are 34 Assembly seats in the Gwalior-Chambal region and Congress had managed to retain a respectable presence here even when BJP won the 2008 Assembly elections in the state.
With the elections this time looking like it would be a close contest, BJP has brought its star campaigners to canvass for votes.
While Bollywood's "Dream Girl" Hema Malini is to attend a BJP meeting here today, the party's Prime Ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, addressed a rally in Gwalior yesterday.
Not to be outdone, Congress has roped in cricketer-turned- politician Md Azharuddin to add zing to its poll campaign.
Jyotiraditya, or 'Shrimant' as he is called in these parts, is back in the city and held two pompous road shows amidst a shower of flowers and bursting of crackers last night.
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