Indore MP Sumitra Mahajan’s decision not to contest the elections has become a cause of worry for the BJP. While a search for a formidable candidate is on, hundreds of BJP workers thronged her residence today, urging her to reconsider her decision.

More than 500 party workers and supporters reached Mahajan’s residence in Manishpuri locality in Indore, carrying flags and posters, most of them from Sanwar and Depalpur Assembly segments, part of the Indore Lok Sabha seat that Mahajan has represented for four decades.

Mahajan’s decision not to contest has led to a political vacuum in the Indore Lok Sabha seat. According to party sources, “The name for Indore will have to be finalised with the consent of the eight-time MP or else it could cause problems. The candidate will have to seek her blessings and guidance”, observed a senior party functionary.

They raised slogans such as ‘Indore kare pukar, taiji phir se ek baar’. Some sang the old Bollywood song ‘Daadi amma, daadi amma, manjao’. Also, a large number of Marathi community members met her and urged her to reconsider her decision.

Mahajan told mediapersons there was no going back on her decision. “I don’t change statements on a daily basis,” she said emphatically. In the first two lists announced, the party has changed candidates in 10 constituencies. However, suspense persists over the prestigious Indore, Bhopal and Vidisha Lok Sabha seats which the BJP has been winning for 30 years Mahajan has been winning from Indore since 1989. In 2014, riding on the Modi wave, she registered a thumping win with a margin of 4.66 lakh votes. She defeated Satyanarayan Patel of the Congress.