Guna, which was part of the Gwalior kingdom ruled by the Scindias till Independence, still bears a profound impact of the Scindia legacy. During an election campaign and when he is visiting his constituency, Jyotiraditya camps at the Bombay Kothi, a palace built by the Scindias in Shivpuri in the 19th century, around 100 kilometres from Guna.

It is here that the family chhatris (memorials) are situated, and the national park, aerodrome and roads bear the family name. Like in his father's time, the family moves to Bombay Kothi during an election campaign and the ladies of the family - Jyotiraditya's mother Madhavi Raje and his wife Priyadarshini Raje -- also go out campaigning, selecting different locations every day.

In a country that is now so meritocracy driven, there is still so much importance given to the old aristocracy. In Rajasthan, the Congress has given many tickets to former royals. Why is there such an obsession with royalty?

There is no concept of aristocracy in India any more. I am surprised that you are asking such a question. Representatives are elected by the people, they exercise their choice -- positively or negatively. If we cast aspersions on the process, then we are actually casting aspersions on the democratic system, which I think is not fair.

But tickets are given to former royals, they seem to get them more easily than the rest.

Anyone can give tickets to anyone. You may belong to any section of society, but finally it is the people who chose. So at the end of the day, people exercise their verdict. That is something we have to accept. No one is foisting anyone on anyone. It is not an organisational post, it is an electoral post. So even if the ticket selection is right or wrong, it is the people who decide.

Image: The young MP interacts with his voters.

Also read: The secret of Shivraj Singh Chauhan's success | India Votes

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