6 years ago
New Delhi:
The counting of votes in Madhya Pradesh has concluded. Congress party has emerged the largest party in the state with 114 seats, which is two short of the majority. The BJP, which gave a close fight to the Congress despite anti-incumbency, has won 109 seats. Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party or the BSP has won two seats.
The BJP gave a close fight to the BJP despite a strong anti-incumbency against Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who was looking for a record fourth term. Sensing victory, the Congress has begun contacting leaders of small parties and also independents for mustering a simple majority, party sources said on Tuesday.
Congress leaders have opened backchannel talks with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Samajwadi Party (SP), Gondwana Gantantra Party (GGP) and independents who are leading, the sources said.
Kamal Nath, a master strategist, is taking no chances and has opened talks with Mayawati's BSP. Mayawati's party is leading at two places while SP is ahead in two constituencies.
Mayawati, who had snubbed the Congress before the polls and refused to tie-up in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, is believed to have called her winning party lawmakers for a meeting in Delhi.
The election was held in Madhya Pradesh on November 28 and 75% of the state's 5.03 crore voters exercised their franchise, with around 1.64 lakh people having voted on an average in each constituency.
In 2013 polls, BJP had won 165 seats while Congress and BSP got 58 and 4. Three independent MLAs also won the polls.
Exit polls have projected a close contest for both the BJP and Congress. Some exit polls have given an edge to the Congress, while others have predicted a close finish for the grand old party and the ruling BJP.
Here are the HIGHLIGHTS on Madhya Pradesh election results 2018:
The counting of votes in Madhya Pradesh has concluded. Congress party has emerged the largest party in the state with 114 seats, which is two short of the majority. The BJP, which gave a close fight to the Congress despite anti-incumbency, has won 109 seats. Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party or the BSP has won two seats.
Jyotiraditya Scindia tweeted congratulating the party workers for winning the polls in Chhattisgarh.
The results have yet to be declared in 11 seats in Madhya Pradesh. However at the minute-long press conference Kamal Nath declared that the Congress has already won in the state and they have written to the Governor to form government. They intend to meet Anandiben Patel, the governor soon.
The results have yet to be declared in 11 seats in Madhya Pradesh. However at the minute-long press conference Kamal Nath declared that the Congress has already won in the state and they have written to the Governor to form government. They intend to meet Anandiben Patel, the governor soon.
Congress leader Shobha Oza says Congress will win with an absolute majority even without help from Independents. "We have won 113 seats and we are leading with huge margins," she said.
lso had Congress leader declares victory in Madhya Pradesh
Kamal Nath announced that the Congress has got a clear majority in Madhya Pradesh.
Kamal Nath announced that the Congress has got a clear majority in Madhya Pradesh.
"A new history is to begin. We have written to Governor to seek an appointment to prove our majority in the state," he said.
Congress press conference begins after Kamal Nath seeks appointment from governor to form government. Kamal Nath to speak shortly. Jyotiraditya Scindia, Digvijaya Singh also present.
News Flash: BJP has said they will also meet the Madhya Pradesh Governor tomorrow.
Breaking: Mayawati's BSP has won one seat in Madhya Pradesh.
BREAKING: Congress says will go to Raj Bhavan immediately after results.
Congress said will wait for official EC results. After results, the party will request meeting the governor. Anandiben Patel has said she will be happy to meet the Congress party leaders.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan is attending a meeting with BJP leaders at his house. The Congress and BJP are still neck-to-neck in the state.
The Madhya Pradesh Governor House has said that an appointment will be given only after the situation is made clear by the Election Commission.
Jyotiraditya Scindia tweeted that once the final results are declared, senior leaders of Congress will meet Govenor Anandiben Patel to stake claim to form government.
BREAKING: In Madhya Pradesh, the Congress is seeking an appointment to form government. Kamal Nath wrote to governor Anandiben Patel today. The Congress called itself the "single largest party" and said all independents will support it.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has won from Budhni
#ResultsWithNDTV | Election trends at 09:49 PM. Click here for detailed election leads+results and analysis https://t.co/0CnuNezNTM #TelanganaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/uSg0mwyo4F
- NDTV (@ndtv) December 11, 2018
Arun Jaitley on election results
- In Madhya Pradesh, the final jury is still out. We will wait for the last vote to be counted.
- If you see Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, you will see we are fraction of a per cent ahead in popular vote in Madhya Pradesh
- I am quite determined our cadres will introspect on the outcome and the tide will turn the other way
Public relations minister Narottam Mishra retains Datia seat
.
BJP wins Shivpuri seat
BJP's Yashodhara Raje Scindia wins from Shivpuri constituency with a margin of 28,748 votes.
Congress supporters outside party office in Bhopal .
Congress leaders AK Antony and Mallikarjun Kharge have been appointed as observers for Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, news agency ANI reports.
Election trends at 08:43 PM
Madhya Pradesh is witnessing a close fight. The Congress is ahead in 114 seats, while the BJP is leading in 109 seats.
Congress ahead in 113 seats, BJP leads in 110 seats. BSP has won two seats.
Several BJP leaders agreed demonetisation and GST hit its urban vote bank in Madhya Pradesh and other states.
Election trends at 07:42 PM
The results are swinging wildly between the two main parties. The Congress, which had surged ahead of the BJP, is now leading by just one seat. The Congress is ahead in 111 seats, one ahead of the BJP.
The results are swinging wildly between the two main parties. The Congress, which had surged ahead of the BJP, is now leading by just one seat. The Congress is ahead in 111 seats, one ahead of the BJP.
In 15 seats, the difference of votes is less than 1,000 votes.
Senior BSP leader Sudhindra Bhadoria has made it clear that his party will not forge an alliance with the BJP. "It is clear that people have voted against the BJP. The BJP has lost badly. We will do whatever it takes to ensure that BJP cant form a government in any of the states, he said.
According to reports, the Congress has opened backchannel talks with the BSP to help it form the government in Madhya Pradesh.
Congress’s Gaurav Gogoi confident of party's win in Madhya Pradesh
Assam's Gaurav Gogoi said the Congress is quite confident that the party will win in Madhya Pradesh. On being asked if the Congress could have done better, he said the party is satisfied and happy with the performance of workers and leaders and doesn't want to get diverted by PM Modi's rhetoric. On Mizoram loss, he says regional parties are gaining ground and it is not like the BJP won the state.
Election trends at 07:11 PM
After reaching the halfway mark, the Congress is down to 113 seats, five ahead of the BJP. The BSP is leading in two seats.
Election Commission has announced a press conference at 7 pm.
BJP trailing with leads in 109 seats
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is trailing with leads in 109 seats while the Congress is leading in 113 seats
A victory in the state sets the Congress up for a leadership battle between its top 3 in the state -- Kamal Nath, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Digvijaya Singh.
"Let the results come in. We are very confident. We are heading for a full majority, no doubt about it," said Kamal Nath, who was in charge of the party's campaign in the state.
He told NDTV: "We have won lock, stock and barrel."
Mr Scindia was more circumspect. "Wait for the final results. We will form the government," he said, taking the mic.
But Kamal Nath, a master strategist, is taking no chances and has opened talks with Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), the Samajwadi Party, Gondwana Gantantra Party and independents. The party needs 115 to form the government.
In 2013 elections, the BJP had won 165 of the 230 seats, followed by the Congress at 58 and Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) at 4.
In the last one hour, Congress has managed to maintain a considerable lead, althought the margin has dropped.
Pardon the handwriting but congress @INCIndia winning 11 of 16 bellwether seats in Madhya Pradesh
- Amitoj Singh (@JohnnyAmitoj) December 11, 2018
BJP - 3
SP - 1
INDEPENDENT - 1 #ResultsWithNdtv @JM_Scindia @digvijaya_28 @OfficeOfKNath @BJP4India @ndtv pic.twitter.com/s6K6w6Zxn5
BJP retains the three seats of Khategaon, Jawad and Ratlam
Election trends at 05:40 PM
Election trends show BJP inching towards government formation. The party has won 116 seats, while the BJP is ahead in 105 seats. BSP is leading in two seats, as per trends.
Okay! Scindia supporters are getting REAL @JM_Scindia @OfficeOfKNath @digvijaya_28 @RahulGandhi #resultswithndtv pic.twitter.com/sUF23zEwlK
- Amitoj Singh (@JohnnyAmitoj) December 11, 2018
The Congress has approached Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party this afternoon as results indicated that Madhya Pradesh might be heading for the split verdict which several exit polls have predicted.
Mayawati is believed to have called her leaders for a meeting in Delhi after senior Congress leader Kamal Nath contacted her, sources said.
Congress surges ahead with 119 seats, BJP down to 102
After a neck-and-neck fight with the BJP, the Congress is inching towards forming a government in Madhya Pradesh.
After a neck-and-neck fight with the BJP, the Congress is inching towards forming a government in Madhya Pradesh.
Madhya Pradesh, where Shivraj Singh Chouhan is seeking a fourth term, is the biggest prize in these polls. If it wins, the Congress has to face the prickly issue of who will lead the government. Its three top leaders, Kamal Nath, Digvijaya Singh and Jyotiraditya Scindia, kept a truce for the campaign.
12 cabinet ministers trailing
A dozen ministers in the Shivraj Singh Chouhan cabinet were trailing as per the latest trends, an election official said Tuesday.
Minister Narottam Mishra was trailing by a margin of 6,200 votes in Datia while Rustam Singh was at the third position in Morena constituency.
Balkrishna Patidar was trailing in Khargone by a margin of 3,792 votes, while Lal Singh Arya was lagging behind by 6,552 votes in Gohad seat in Bhind district.
Minister Om Prakash Dhurve was trailing by a margin of 8,255 votes in Shahpura seat of Dindori district while Antar Singh Arya was trailing by 3,626 votes in Sendhwa seat of Barwani district.
Deepak Joshi was behind by 3,070 votes in Hatpipliya seat in Dewas district, while Rampal Singh was trailing by 3,063 votes in Silvani seat in Raisen district, news agency PTI said.
Minister Archana Chitnis was also trailing in Burhanpur seat by a margin of 1,055 votes.
State finance minister Jayant Mallaiya was behind by 1,336 votes in Damoh seat.
Former prime minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee's nephew and Morena BJP MP Anoop Mishra, who contested the election on the BJP's ticket, was trailing from Bhitarwar seat in Gwalior district by 2,255 votes, an election official said.
Congress claims support of 3 Independents
With election trends showing halfway mark for the Congress, the party has indicated that it has the support of three Independents. Party sources claimed that one legislator from the Gondwana Ganatantra Party has also assured support.
BJP candidate Dilip Kumar Makwana wins Ratlam Rural
BJP candidate Dilip Kumar Makwana wins Ratlam Rural for the BJP. Mr Makwana won by a margin of over 79,000 votes for his party.
Both Jyotiraditya Scindia and Kamal Nath have been at the forefront of the Congress campaign in Madhya Pradesh.
As trends emerged, Mr Scindia expressed confidence about Congress victory, but was guarded in reactions on the tricky issue of chief minister's post.
The 2nd sign of UNITY at the Congress HQ #ResultsWithNdtv #MadhyaPradeshElection2018 @ndtv @INCIndia The first was when @KamalNath_ @JM_Scindia came to HQ in one car pic.twitter.com/6kbVh3aOUf
- Amitoj Singh (@JohnnyAmitoj) December 11, 2018
After reaching the halfway mark, the Congress is now down to 113 seats. Here's a look at how Congress candidates are faring in their constituencies:
@digvijaya_28 speaks to @ndtv says
- Amitoj Singh (@JohnnyAmitoj) December 11, 2018
- Insist we will win 126+ seats in MP
- Not going to say who will be CM I'm not part of legislative committee
- HC to decide CM
- No senior, junior in Politics (suggesting Kamal won't be CM just cause he is senior) #ResultsWithNDTV pic.twitter.com/u2By5H0LcT
Constituencies where the BJP is leading:
Mandla
Jabalpur Cantt
Harsud
Shamshabad
Agar
The fact that BJP/ Shivraj Singh has put up such a fight after three terms has given the party / spokes a huge relief
- sunetra choudhury (@sunetrac) December 11, 2018
Constituencies where the Congress is leading:
Junnardeo
Gwalior East
Malhara
Raipur
Prithvipur
Bhichchiya
Bhikangaon
A look at the current map and vote-share breakup of Madhya Pradesh
Props to the cabbie at Bhopal airport (how original, right?) who told me "Mama nikal lenge". #ResultsWithNDTV https://t.co/rZ3QTmoxQQ
- Sreenivasan Jain (@SreenivasanJain) December 11, 2018
Former chief election commissioner explains how votes are counted
Dr SY Qureshi, former chief election commissioner of India gave an insight into the process of counting votes. Every round has 14 EVMs and a presiding officer oversees the counting process. Each machine can take around 700 votes. Till one round is complete next round will not start. The result is written in the board, given to the candidate and media in retrospect. The media gets to know the results as soon as Election Commission. Each round takes 15 to 20 minutes. The computation is done manually.
The BJP's Yashodhara Raje said she was "very hopeful" about a BJP victory in Madhya Pradesh as the leads see-sawed between the party and challenger Congress." Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, she said, was very confident of winning and it would be "remarkable" if the BJP formed government in the state for a fourth time.
The battle in Madhya Pradesh has been a cliffhanger since morning. While initially the Congress established a lead, the BJP surged around mod-morning. The leads have been yo-yoing between the two parties since.
In the 230-member house, the majority mark is at 116. Neither party has been able to touch that mark so far. Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj party, which might play a key role in the event of a split verdict, is leading in eight seats.
It's even-steven in MP & from what I hear the BJP hasn't given up the hope of forming a government there.
- Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) December 11, 2018
"Others" in Madhya Pradesh will be a happy lot at the moment.
- Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) December 11, 2018
Jyotiraditya Scindia evasive on chief ministership, assures development if Congress wins
As initial trends showed Congress leading in Madhya Pradesh assembly elections, Jyotiraditya Scindia said the party will work for the development of the state if they win, even as he remained evasive on the question of chief ministership.
"We will create an environment of peace, justice, and development if we come in power in Madhya Pradesh," Mr Scindia was qupoted by news agency ANI.
Election trends at 03:07 PM
BJP ahead in 112 seats, Congress leads in 108
BJP is leading in 112 seats, Congress in 108 seats, BSP in four, according to Election Commission trends.
#ResultsWithNDTV | In #MadhyaPradeshElections2018, BJP and Congress are locked in a tough fight. See the heat map for the state here https://t.co/hiIL1ZWl1b
- NDTV (@ndtv) December 11, 2018
For fastest updates on #AssemblyElections2018, follow https://t.co/LpfcFgneBI
Read more here: https://t.co/ib4rb8sA2g pic.twitter.com/cUlBFWgbX3
Congress causes firecracker pollution as it celebrates what is NOT YET a victory #ResultsWithNdtv #Bhopal #MadhyaPradeshAssemblyElection2018 @INCIndia pic.twitter.com/tfuwxeAJGo
- Amitoj Singh (@JohnnyAmitoj) December 11, 2018
Congress leader Shama Mohamed said that the party has performed well in BJP strongholds in Madhya Pradesh. "In Madhya Pradesh, we have done well. We have gained in many BJP strongholds. But in the end jo jeeta wahi sikander. I am still confident we will form the government in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh," she said.
Shivraj Chouhan's brother-in-law, who defected to Congress, in third place
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's brother-in-law and Congress candidate Sanjay Singh Masani is in the third place in Waraseoni assembly constituency in Balaghat district where counting is in progress.
Mr Masani had defected from the BJP to Congress before the polls.
BJP's candidate Yogendra Nirmal is leading the constituency with Independent Pradeep Jaiswal in the second position.
Congress holding backchannel talks with BSP: Sources
BSP chief Mayawati has summoned winning candidates to Delhi, party sources told NDTV. They also said that the Congress is holding backchannel talks with the BSP to discuss the possibility of an alliance in case of a hung assembly.
BSP chief Mayawati has summoned winning candidates to Delhi, party sources told NDTV. They also said that the Congress is holding backchannel talks with the BSP to discuss the possibility of an alliance in case of a hung assembly.
Sitting BJP MLA Yashpal Singh Sisodiya is leading in Mandsaur, referred to as the epicentre of the farmers' agitation in the state. He is being challenged by Congress' Narendra Nahata in the constituency.
Congress will comeback to power: Digvijaya Singh
Digvijaya Singh has expressed confidence that the Congress party will form the government in the state. "It's too early. Anything can be said only after 12 pm. Leads of only postal ballots have come till now. I am confident that in Madhya Pradesh, Congress will form government," Mr Singh said.
Mr Singh served as the chief minister of Madhya Pradesh for two terms from 1993 to 2003.
BJP's Shaina NC On Elections, Good Governance And PM Modi
BJP's Shaina NC says even after 15 years to have a neck-to-neck competition is a huge victory for a prime minister and Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Madhya Pradesh. Ms Shaina also says these results will not hamper the Lok Sabha polls next year as people want a dedicated and hardworking PM for which PM Modi fits the bill. She says BJP's presence in 19-20 states is itself a great victory and people irrespective of caste and religion have voted for the BJP.
Election trends show the BJP ahead in 114 seats, Congress is leading in 106 seats.
Though not a single winner was announced by the Election Commission, Congress supporters had already started celebrating with songs, slogans, crackers and sweets even as the trends kept swinging in the state. Posters of Jyotiraditya Scindia and Kamal Nath were displayed prominently outside the party office in Bhopal.
Results for assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh is being announced with Rajasthan, Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram.
Madhya Pradesh is turning out to be a nail-biter for both BJP and Congress. Current trends show the BJP leading in 110 seats, while the Congress is ahead in 109 seats.
Digivijaya Singh's son Jaivardhan Singh is leading by 15,000 votes in family's bastion Raghogarh, NDTV's Amitoj Singh reports.
Shivraj Chouhan is leading in Budhni
Shivraj Chouhan, 59, is three-term Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister is facing Congress candidate Arun Yadav in his Assembly constituency of Budhni.
With trends indicating a close fight in Madhya Pradesh, both the BJP and the Congress have opened up backchannel talks to help form government in case of a hung assembly. Senior Congress leader Kamal Nath is in talks with Mayawati's BSP, which is leading in five seats. Meanwhile, Digvijaya Singh is also in talks with party rebels, who are contesting as Independents, NDTV's Anurag Dwary reports.
The BJP has opened up backchannel talks with Ramkrishna Kusmaria, who quit the party to contest as Independent.
BJP leads in 112 seats, Congress ahead in 108
Election trends at 01:04 PM show the BJP leading in 112 seats, while the Congress is ahead in 108 seats.
Congress leads in Datia, Chambal
9 Ministers In Shivraj Singh Chouhan Cabinet Trailing
Nine ministers in the Shivraj Singh Chouhan are trailing as per the latest trends. State minister Narottam Mishra was trailing by a margin of 3,114 votes from Datia seat while Rustam Singh was at the third position in Morena constituency, news agency PTI said.
Besides, Balkrishna Patidar was trailing in Khargone by a margin of 44 votes, while Lal Singh Arya was lagging behind by a margin 3,039 votes from Gohad seat in Bhind district.
Minister Om Prakash Dhurve was at the third place in Shahpura seat of Dindori district while Antar Singh Arya was trailing by 3,626 votes in Sendhwa seat in Barwani district.
Minister Deepak Joshi was behind by 4,219 votes in Hatpipliya seat in Dewas district, while Vijay Shah was also trailing by a margin of 1,304 votes in Harsud seat in Khandwa.
Minister Rampal Singh was trailing by 1,193 votes in Silvani seat in Raisen district.
Former prime minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee's nephew Anoop Mishra, who contested the election on the BJP's ticket, was trailing from Bhitarwar seat in Gwalior district by 502 votes, an election official said.
#ResultsWithNDTV | Important meeting of BJP leaders is on at Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister @ChouhanShivraj's residence.
- NDTV (@ndtv) December 11, 2018
Counting of votes to elect the 230-member assembly underway, numbers see-saw between BJP and Congress. #MadhyaPradeshElections2018 #AssemblyElections2018 pic.twitter.com/S4RCVqfTC4
BJP leaders arrive at Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's residence.
Around 100 seats in Madhya Pradesh still only in second round of counting
Four per cent increase in number of voters in Madhya Pradesh
There has been a four per cent increase in number of voters in Madhya Pradesh.
In his campaigns, Shivraj Chouhan has given much more prominence to women voters, appealing them to come and vote, says Sagarika Ghose. This could have led to an increase in women participation in the election, she says.
Celebrations outside Congress office in Bhopal
- Picture sent by NDTV's Anurag Dwary
Shivraj Singh Chouhan has managed to connect with the voters despite his name being embroiled in corruption scams, says Sagarika Ghose.
BJP ahead in 112 seats, Congress leads in 107 seats
After trailing behind Congress, the BJP has now managed to surge ahead with a lead in 112 seats, as per trends. The Congress is leading in 107 seats; Mayawati's BSP is leading in five seats.
Election trends at 11:31 am
BJP headquarter wears deserted look
- Picture sent by NDTV's Anurag Dwary
22 rallies for Rahul Gandhi as opposed PM Modi's 10
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi both campaigned in the state, exchanging acrimonious attacks.
Given the importance of Madhya Pradesh, the prime minister addressed 10 public meetings and BJP president Amit Shah held 26 public meetings and three road shows.
Rahul Gandhi addressed 22 public rallies and took out a dozen road shows.
One of the prominent constituencies is Budhni, where Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, in office since 2005, is seeking re-election.
For the Congress, a victory in the state would set the stage for a leadership battle between its top 3 in the state - Kamal Nath, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Digvijaya Singh.
Jyotiraditya Scindia has reached Kamal Nath's residence in Madhya Pradesh. The two leaders have emerged as the top names for chief minister's post.
Former union minister Sartaj Singh, who joined Congress after BJP denied him a ticket, is contesting against assembly speaker Sitasharan Sharma in Hoshangabad.
"Too early to say Madhya Pradesh is lost," BJP's Yashodhara Raje Scindia
Yashodhara Raje Scindia, a minister in Shivraj Singh Chouhan government, played down the initial trends that showed the Congress on way to form the government in the state. "This is only two hours in. In my area for example, there have been just two rounds. I would like to see trends an hour from now, it's too early to say Madhya Pradesh is lost,"she said.
The minister pointed that the party was aware that it will be a close contest with the Congress. We knew it was going to be close because of some announcements that the Congress made in the last week of the election. Those seem to have gained traction","she added.
Congress leads in Khargapur, Bundelkhand.
Celebrations outside Congress office
- Picture sent by NDTV's Amitoj Singh
BSP ahead in five seats
BSP is leading in five seats, as per trends. NDTV's Sreenivasan Jain says the party could play a major role in deciding who will be the chief ministerial candidate in Madhya Pradesh. BSP has a strong presence in northern Madhya Pradesh
Posters crediting Jyotiraditya Scindia for the party's success have come up across the state - pictures sent by NDTV's Amitoj Singh
Congress ahead in 103 seats, BJP leads in 96 seats
Shivraj Chouhan factor keeping the BJP in close fight in Madhya Pradesh, Sagarika Ghose says. The party is trailing the Congress by only 7 seats.
Bellwether Constituencies
Credit should be given to Shivraj Chouhan for still holding fort after 15 years in government, NDTV's Sreenivasan Jain says. BJP is currently leading in 88 seats, early trends show. Sagarika Ghose and Shekhar Gupta agree. Mr Gupta adds that Shivraj Chouhan could play a bigger role in national polls.
BJP has a one-third chance of forming government in Madhya Pradesh, while Congress has a two third possibility of coming to power in the state, predicts Yogendra Yadav.
BSP has not hurt the Congress much in the northern part of Madhya Pradesh, where it enjoys a significant presence, Yogendra Yadav says.
Counting center in Bhopal old jail
Pic sent by NDTV's Anurag Dwary
Congress Will Win Decisively In Madhya Pradesh: Abhishek Singhvi
The Congress will win by a clear margin in Madhya Pradesh, party leader Abhishek Singhvi says. "The right time to talk about actual elections are 10:30 to 11 am. But let me stick my neck out and say we will win decisively in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and there might be some kind of close call in Chhattisgarh which will result in us forming the government," he says.
The Congress will win by a clear margin in Madhya Pradesh, party leader Abhishek Singhvi says. "The right time to talk about actual elections are 10:30 to 11 am. But let me stick my neck out and say we will win decisively in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and there might be some kind of close call in Chhattisgarh which will result in us forming the government," he says.
BJP has taken a comfortably margin over the Congress, early trends show. The BJP is ahead in 41 seats, seven ahead of Congress. The party, however, is down in 16 seats.
Over 250 postal ballot papers stolen in Bhind
A group of people attacked a postman and stole 256 postal ballot papers while he was passing by the district jail in Madhya Pradesh's Bhind district on Monday. Police said they have recovered all the stolen material and arrested three people in this connection.
Police have launched an investigation into the incident, which occurred just a day before counting day, on a complaint filed by the postman -- identified as Rajendra Yadav. According to him, he was attacked by a mob of 20 to 25 people and forced to part with the bags he was carrying.
Shivraj Chouhan is contesting from his home turf Budhni, against Congress' Arun Yadav
BJP's upper caste vote base is too strong, says Shekhar Gupta
Early trends show a worrying picture for the BJP, says NDTV's Prannoy Roy. While the party is ahead in 18 seats, early trends show the BJP trailing in 10 seats it won in 2013.
Early trends show close fight between BJP and Congres. Both the parties are now leading in 11 seats.
Shivraj Singh is popular among the farmers, senior journalist Saghrika Ghose tells Dr Prannoy Roy. He immediately rushed to Mandsaur after many farmers were killed in police firing," she said.
15,000 election officials drafted across 51 centres
Counting began with the postal ballots at 51 centres across the state.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer VL Kantha Rao said 15,000 employees have been drafted for the counting process which will be monitored through 1,200 CCTV cameras installed at 51 centres across the state.
The maximum rounds of counting -- 32 in total -- would take place in the Indore-5 assembly segment due to the highest number of booths there. The lowest number of counting rounds (15) would be held in Kotma seat in Anuppur district, he added.
Indore-5 seat is currently held by the BJP while the Congress represents Kotma constituency.
The Congress is leading in 5 seats, BJP in four.
Exit polls have predicted a neck to neck fight in Madhya Pradesh.
Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia, who has led the party's campaign in the state, said he is confident that the party will come to power in the state. "Congress will form the government in Madhya Pradesh. This will make clear that we have to fulfill people's promises. Let the results come in first," he said.
The BJP fielded candidates for all 230 seats while the Congress contested 229, leaving one seat for the Sharad Yadav-led Loktantrik Janata Dal.
#ResultsWithNDTV | Will Congress unseat the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh? Here's what exit polls predicted
- NDTV (@ndtv) December 11, 2018
Counting of votes to elect the 230-member assembly to begin at 8 am#AssemblyElections2018 pic.twitter.com/lLiqHZAHBH
All you need to know
- As many as 2,899 candidates, including 250 women and five third gender candidates, are contesting for the 200 seats.
- A record 75 per cent voters exercised their franchise on November 28 in the state.
- The Congress is contesting polls in Madhya Pradesh for the first time under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi.
- Exit polls have predicted a neck and neck fight for the BJP and Congress.
The election was held in Madhya Pradesh on November 28 and 75% of the state's 5.03 crore voters exercised their franchise, with around 1.64 lakh people having voted on an average in each constituency.
The Congress has dubbed the Madhya Pradesh polls a "make or break election" and claims it will win 140 seats.
