If would not be incorrect to say that politics of Vindhya region is mainly looms around Rewa. A Lok Sabha constituency holds different hues and shades of politics from other constituencies of the State. Impact of neighbouring state, Uttar Pradesh’s political development, no doubt, leaves impression but at the same, regions topography and cast equation affects political dynamics to a greater extent. The seat comes under unreserved category. In view of dominance of Brahmin population both the main parties had fielded Brahmin candidates most of the times. Variably from rest of the parts of the State, Lok Sabha election in Rewa has witnessed triangular to quadrilateral fight. Since role of Samajawadi and Bahujan Samajwadi Party in the region can’t be ignored. From here only, BSP has registered its maiden victory in the State.

 

Earlier, it was a stronghold of Congress and the constituency also holds significant presence of royal family. That’s why Martand Singh of erstwhile empire had contest election and won in past irrespective of party politics. Martand Singh, was elected in 1971–1977 as an independent candidate, Preceded by S N Shukla (Congress) and succeeded by Yamuna Prasad Shastri of Janata Party (1977-80). Later, Singh joined Congress and won the elections in 1984. He is known as an Indian wildlife conservationist, and the last ruling Maharaja of the princely state of Rewa. The region also has influence of Tiwari family. Six-time member of Legislative Assembly, Sriniwas Tiwari, was a member of the Indian National Congress, and had stints in Socialist Party and Samyukta Socialist Party in his younger days. He was known as the Lion of Vindhya in view of his influence. He was assembly speaker from 1993 to 2003.

 

Siddharth Tiwari, grandson of former Assembly Speaker late Shrinivas Tiwari, left the Congress before the Assembly elections 2023 and joined the BJP. Siddharth Tiwari had contested elections from Rewa Lok Sabha seat in the year 2019 on Congress ticket but lost. In 2023, along with Siddharth Tiwari, former MLA Phunderlal Chaudhary from Gunnaur seat of Panna also joined BJP which is being seen as a jolt to Congress. In such a scenario, instead of elections results it will interesting to see to whom the grand old party will give ticket against the BJP’s sitting candidate Janardan Mishra’s impeccable image and simplicity consolidated his candidature consecutively second time.