Bhopal: The BJP retained power in Madhya Pradesh as the party easily crossed the halfway mark to form the next government. It won 160 seats and was leading in 3 others, while the Congress won 64 seats and was leading in 2 others, according to the ECI figures late Sunday.
Congress hoped to return to power in the heartland state seizing on “anti-incumbency” against the BJP, which has been ruling since 2003, however, BJP ensured it did not let its influence die down in the state.
Madhya Pradesh, which is crucial to the BJP's electoral prospects for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, was expected to throw up a nail-biting showdown but the saffron party managed to ease through the numbers. Exit polls rightly placed the BJP ahead in this crucial battleground.
Earlier in the day, the poll drama kicked off at 8 am as the first ballot boxes were opened, initiating the counting process for the 230 assembly seats in Madhya Pradesh. Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) put up a confident front insisting that it will retain power in the state. On the other hand, Congress, led by party veteran Kamal Nath claimed his party would dethrone the saffron party this time, something that was not to happen.
- 7:15 pm
The Congress on Sunday said it was shocked at the Madhya Pradesh assembly poll results and blamed the BJP for electoral malpractices. “It is a shocking result. Nobody expected it. The people were very angry with the BJP and fought the election. Till yesterday, we were meeting the locals and they were telling us that the Congress was coming back. How could things change suddenly,” AICC secretary in charge of Madhya Pradesh Shiv Bhatia told ETV Bharat. - 4.01 pm
BJP's Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Congress veteran Kamal Nath won their Budhni and Chhindwara assembly segments. The winning margin for Shivraj is more than a lakh and Kamal Nath is 30,000. - 1.40 pm
Exit poll prediction proved wrong, says Congress leader: Congress leader Vivek Tankha wondered over the fact that contrary to exit polls sentiment, the result came in favour of the BJP. "The exit polls and newspaper reports said that there is a sentiment for change in Madhya Pradesh, but that has not happened. It has not transferred into votes. We are wondering why it has not happened," Tankha said. - 1.17 pm
BJP's Jabalpur MP leading: BJP MP and candidate from Jabalpur West, Rakesh Singh is leading by a margin of 15,450 votes after the ninth round of counting, garnering a total of 48,636 votes so far. - 1.09 pm
Union Minister Kulaste trailing: Union Minister and BJP candidate from Niwas, Faggan Singh Kulaste is trailing by a margin of 5,553 votes after the tenth round of counting, garnering a total of 50,522 votes so far. - 12.40 pm
BJP fought as a unit, says Tomar: Union Minister and BJP candidate Narendra Singh Tomar said, "BJP contested the elections with full strength and as a unit. We've received this blessing from the people. I congratulate and thank all the workers. It is the victory of party workers, PM Modi's popularity, welfare schemes of state and central governments...I am an ordinary worker of BJP..." - 12.35 pm
Shivraj leads by 50,996 votes from Budhni: Incumbent Chief Minister and BJP candidate from Budhni, Shivraj Singh Chouhan is leading by a margin of 50,996 votes after the eighth round of counting, garnering a total of 70453 votes so far. - 12.15 pm
Chouhan, Scindia keep eye on results: CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan along with party leaders Narendra Singh Tomar and Jyotiraditya Scindia observed election results as the counting of votes continues, in Bhopal As per ECI, the BJP is leading on 153 seats in MP. - 10.03 am
Jyotiraditya reaches CM house: As soon as the counting of votes progressed, indicating a majority mark for the BJP, Jyotiraditya Scindia reached CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan's residence on Sunday. - 10 am
Chouhan says he's confident of BJP win: Visibly elated over BJP's show in Madhya Pradesh as early trends indicated a massive swing for the saffron party, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, taking to Twitter, said he is confident that the BJP will form the government in the state. - 9.30 am
Chouhan leads: Incumbent CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan is leading after the first round of EVM counting. - 9 am
Cong will oust BJP in MP, says Kamal Nath: Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath on Sunday said he has faith in voters in Madhya Pradesh, where Congress will come to power this time. "I have not seen the trends, I trust the voters of Madhya Pradesh that they will keep their future secure...Don't count the number of seats. We will comfortably...," he said. - 8.20 am
BJP's 'acche din' to end in MP, says Digvijaya: Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh exuded hope in Congress's prospects in Madhya Pradesh. He said, " Like earlier, I say it today as well - 130 plus. We are getting 130 seats, the rest is to be seen." On incumbent CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, he said, "Not only is his farewell certain but his 'achhe din' will end here." - 8 am
Counting begins: The destiny of 2,533 candidates will be known today as the counting of votes began at 8 am. Authorities secured tight security as a brick-walled EVM strong room was opened at a counting centre in Morena of Madhya Pradesh as counting of votes got underway. - 7.55 am
Tight security in place: Counting officials are forbidden to carry mobile phones, betel leaves, cigarettes, tobacco and lighters inside. Strict checking is underway, and everything is under control," says Mahavir Prasad Munjal, Additional SP, Bhopal on security arrangements at counting centres. - 7.45 am
Congress fears horse-trading in Madhya Pradesh: Congress insiders are anticipating the possibility of the BJP's unleashing of money power to edge the opposition party out of the race. Congress sources claimed that the saffron party might offer Rs 100 crore to lure MLAs. - 7.38 am
Big claim from Chouhan's rival in BJP: BJP national general secretary and candidate from Indore 1 assembly constituency, Kailash Vijayvargiya, who was given a ticket at the last minute, envisaged a bigger role for him in Madhya Pradesh. Vijayvargiya is known as a rival of CM Chief Minister in the party. “Only becoming an MLA from Indore-1 just is not my goal. I am sure to get bigger responsibility from the party this time,” he said. - 7.29 am
Promises from Congress- The Congress, outlining its election promises, includes the Old Pension Scheme, caste census, Nari Samman Nidhi of Rs 1500 per month for women, Rs 25 lakh health insurance for residents, and 27 per cent reservation for OBCs in government services. The BJP contends that these initiatives align with their commitment to empower women. - 7.17 am
In 2018, the Congress secured 114 seats in the 230-member Assembly, becoming the single largest party. Still, the BJP returned to power in 2020 after Jyotiraditya Scindia's rebellion led to the collapse of the Kamal Nath-led Congress government. This time, the ruling BJP and the Congress are confident of victory. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan attributes the potential triumph to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, Home Minister Amit Shah's strategy, BJP chief JP Nadda's guidance, and the combined efforts of party workers. Chouhan expresses no doubt about retaining power, emphasising the overwhelming support received during the campaign. - 7.01 am
Historical voter turnout- This time Madhya Pradesh witnessed its highest-ever Assembly election turnout at 76.22 per cent on November 17, surpassing the 2018 record of 75.63 per cent indicating a strong anti-incumbency factor which, according to some, might go against senior BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan's dream of becoming the Chief Minister again. - 6.43 am
Congress workers and supporters began gathering outside the Congress office and burst crackers ahead of the counting of votes on Sunday (December 3) for four key states – Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana, that went to polls last month. - 6.32 am
The exit polls forecast a competitive race, with most projections favouring the BJP. Today’s Chanakya predicts a significant victory for the BJP, estimating 151 seats, while the Congress is expected to secure 74 seats. Jan Ki Baat anticipates 100-123 seats for the BJP and 102-125 for the Congress, while Republic TV-Matrize forecasts 118-130 BJP seats and 97-107 for the Congress. TV9 Bharatvarsh Polstrat suggests 106-116 for the BJP and 111-121 for the Congress, and Jist-TIF-NAI sees a 2018-like advantage for the Congress, predicting 107-124 seats compared to the BJP's 102-119. - 6.16 am
The electoral discourse in Madhya Pradesh has been primarily shaped by the Congress and BJP, with both parties executing vigorous campaigns leading up to the polls. The BJP has maintained a stronghold on the state for nearly two decades, with a brief interruption by the Congress for a two-year period following the 2018 elections. - 5.30 am
BJP campaign- The BJP launched an extensive campaign featuring prominent figures such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, JP Nadda, Rajnath Singh, and Shivraj Singh Chouhan. In contrast, the Congress fielded its key leaders, including party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Kamal Nath, and Digvijaya Singh, to counter the saffron party's influence. - 5.15 am
BIMARU -The BJP asserted its achievements in elevating the state from the 'BIMARU' (laggard) category and providing a governance free of corruption. Meanwhile, the Congress focused its electoral narrative on conducting caste-based surveys of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the state. - 5.04 am
The fate of four-time Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and his Congress rival Kamal Nath hangs in the balance, along with that of their senior colleagues and will be decided on Sunday. - 5 am
As the state eagerly anticipates the December 3 results, over 5.59 lakh voters, including 2.87 crore men and 2.71 crore women, participated in the electoral process. The 2018 election recorded a male voting percentage of 75.84%, 74.01% for females, and 25% for the third gender. For the record, the counting of votes will begin at 8 AM.
Read More
