INDORE: Tribal votes clearly swung in favour of Congress allowing it to deliver a major blow to BJP in Malwa and Nimar regions in the assembly elections.BJP, which had won 56 of 66 seats in 2013, was reduced to 28 seats. It gained 26 seats to reach a tally of 35 assembly seats from two regions, considered a stronghold of the saffron party. Congress won 35 seats, up from 9 in 2013. Independent candidates won three seats.Congress this time made major gains in tribal-dominated Dhar, Jhabua, Alirajpur, Barwani and Khargone districts.It wrested four constituencies from BJP in Dhar and wiped out BJP in Jhabua and Alirajpur districts. The impressive show was repeated in Khargone and Barwani districts, where it trumped BJP in eight constituencies.Obviously, anti-incumbency went against the BJP in the region. Congress wooed tribal voters— most of whom are small land owners and under debt— by focusing on new jobs and loan waiver. Market watchers claim many farmers had stopped repaying loans soon after AICC president Rahul Gandhi announced plans to waive farm loans up to Rs 2 lakh in 10 days after coming to power in Madhya Pradesh.There was a strong sentiment against the BJP-ruled government among tribals months before the assembly elections were declared. Jay Aadiwasi Yuva Shakti (JAYS) had been holding rallies and public meetings to make tribals aware of their rights. It spared no effort at punching holes in BJP claims of development in the region.In last-minute upset, he was given Congress ticket from Manawar against minister Ranjana Baghel. He swept the polls, defeating Baghel by a margin of 32,432 votes.Alawa has a huge tribal following. After he joined Congress, the tribals, who were already pumped up against the BJP, chose to vote for Congress.

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