The Congress’ 2018 election win broke a streak of three successive wins for the BJP (File).
The BJP is set to claim a massive win in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly election despite exit polls predicting a tight race and some even giving the opposition Congress an outside chance at ousting the party from a state it has dominated since 2003.
At 11 am the BJP was ahead in 156 seats – more than double the opposition Congress’ 71. These numbers represent a gain of 47 seats for the BJP and a loss of 43 for the Congress, relative to the 2018 results.
And among the heavyweights, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was leading from Budhni but, a seismic shock is likely in Chhindwara, where the Congress’ Kamal Nath, was trailing. The ex-Chief Minister has won this seat multiple times since 1998.
Exit polls had predicted a tight BJP vs Congress race, with the odds, perhaps, in favour of the former.
READ | In Battle For Madhya Pradesh, Congress Out For ‘Revenge’, BJP Plots 5th Win
Four of nine exit polls gave the BJP a comfortable win; three gave it over 139 of the Assembly’s 230 seats.
Madhya Pradesh has been a BJP stronghold – the party has won three of the past four elections – since Digvijaya Singh led the Congress to back-to-back wins in 1993 and 1998. Those wins were the last time the Congress defended a state.
However, fast forward to today and the Congress is confident it can upset the BJP’s apple cart and, crucially, its plans for next year’s Lok Sabha election. The exit polls, however, disagree. Only four predict a return close to the 116+ seats it needs to win.
Even then, in each case the BJP remains within striking distance in a state they have dominated since 2003.
Speaking to reporters this morning, Kamal Nath declared himself “very confident” that the Congress will defy exit polls’ prediction, and refused to react to the BJP’s early lead till a clearer picture “at 11 am”. I have not seen any trends, I don’t need to look at any trends till 11 am. I am very confident, I trust the voters of Madhya Pradesh…” he told news agency ANI.
READ | “Have Not Seen Trends, Don’t Need To…”: Kamal Nath
On Thursday too he played down exit polls’ prediction. In a post on X, he said, “I want to remind all Congress workers of their strength… it is because of your hard work and dedication the public has voted overwhelmingly in support of the Congress Party. When the counting of votes begins on December 3, the public will put a stamp on the Congress government.”
READ | “Country Runs By Vision, Not Television”: Kamal Nath After Exit Polls
On Saturday, a day before counting of votes, there was a poster congratulating Kamal Nath on becoming Chief Minister for a second time. According to ANI, the poster – spotted outside the Congress’ Bhopal office – was put up by a party worker.
READ | Spotted. “Congratulations” Poster For Kamal Nath As Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister
However, Shivraj Chouhan remains confident the BJP will return to power and form the state government for a fifth time. This morning, as the early trends emerged, he said the party would retain power with a commanding majority.
“… I am confident that with the blessings of the people and the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP will form government again with a full majority,” Mr Chouhan said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
READ | Full Majority In Madhya Pradesh With PM’s Blessing: Shivraj Chouhan
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia – whose walk-out of the Congress in 2020 brought down the Kamal Nath government – said he too was confident the people would put their faith in the BJP. “We will wait till the complete results are in. We will form government with complete majority. The people’s faith in PM and the welfare schemes are the reasons for such a mandate.”
With input from agencies
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