It’s a saffron versus saffron contest in Madhya Pradesh’s Malhara Assembly constituency, as the Congress has chosen Sadhvi Ramsiya Bharti — a 36-year old kathawachak who recites mythological texts — as its candidate for a seat widely known as the bastion of veteran BJP leader and former Chief Minister Uma Bharti. Ms. Uma Bharti is not contesting the elections
Ms. Ramsiya Bharti, who dons a saffron robe and puts vermilion on the forehead, has several other similarities with Ms. Uma Bharti. Both are nuns who belong to the Lodhi community and are widely popular religious leaders of this small rural area in Chhatarpur district.
Pointing to another similarity between the two women, local Congress leader Narendra Yadav said that Ms. Ramsiya Bharti was close to Jyotiraditya Scindia, who switched loyalties from the Congress to the BJP a few years ago. Ms. Uma Bharti too was close to Mr. Scindia’s grandmother, Vijayaraje Scindia.
