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:
Dec 12, 2018 08:31 (IST)
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.
Dec 12, 2018 02:59 (IST)
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.
Dec 12, 2018 01:45 (IST)
News Flash: BJP has said they will also meet the Madhya Pradesh Governor tomorrow.
Dec 12, 2018 01:44 (IST)
Breaking: Mayawati's BSP has won one seat in Madhya Pradesh.
Dec 12, 2018 00:47 (IST)
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.
Dec 11, 2018 23:55 (IST)
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.
Dec 11, 2018 23:32 (IST)
The Madhya Pradesh Governor House has said that an appointment will be given only after the situation is made clear by the Election Commission.
Dec 11, 2018 23:31 (IST)
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.
Dec 11, 2018 20:47 (IST)
Congress leaders AK Antony and Mallikarjun Kharge have been appointed as observers for Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, news agency ANI reports.
