Counting of votes is underway for the elections held in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana and Chhattisgarh after high-octane campaigning by political parties, including the Congress and the BJP.
As the crucial counting of votes began in the assembly elections across four states, early trends showed the Bharatiya Janata Party taking an early lead in Rajasthan, while the Congress had an edge over its rivals in Telangana and Madhya Pradesh.
In Rajasthan, the BJP was leading in 13 seats, while the incumbent Congress was ahead in 5 seats.
In the central state of Madhya Pradesh, initial trends pointed to the Congress extending its lead in 18 seats, maintaining a narrow edge over the ruling BJP, which was leading in 13 seats.
Meanwhile, in Telangana, ruled by the BRS, the Congress emerged as an early front-runner, leading in 7 seats, while the ruling party was ahead in 6 seats, suggesting a closely contested battle for supremacy.
Election results for Mizoram, which also went to the polls in this election cycle, will be declared a day later, respecting the Christian-majority state’s observance of Sunday.
These assembly polls — spanning the Hindi heartland, the country’s youngest state, and one of the Seven Sisters in the Northeast — are more than just a test of regional political strength; they are a precursor to the national elections that loom on the horizon.
With the stakes higher than ever, the outcomes are bound to influence strategies and alliances as political parties big and small gear up for the 2024 Lok Sabha showdown.
Madhya Pradesh
In Madhya Pradesh, single-phase polling for 230 seats occurred on November 17, with a turnout of 77.15 per cent.
According to the India Today-Axis My India exit poll, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is on course to secure a sweeping victory with 140-162 seats, reinforcing four-time Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s position. The saffron party will maintain its winning streak with a yawning margin over the Congress, which is projected to win between 68 and 90 seats.
The ruling BJP is likely to secure 47 per cent of the votes, while the Congress may garner 41 per cent.
The incumbent Chief Minster Shivraj Singh Chouhan continues to enjoy significant popularity, with 36 per cent of respondents favouring him as Chief Minister. Kamal Nath from Congress closely trails with 30 per cent support.
Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh was the only state where voting took place in two phases on November 7 and November 17. Exit polls predict a tight race, with the Congress’s earlier projection of winning at least 75 seats appearing overly optimistic.
The India Today-Axis My India exit poll suggests that the poll battle in Chhattisgarh will culminate in a hung assembly, with neither the Congress nor the BJP securing a clear majority. The Congress is projected to win 40-50 seats, and BJP around 36-46 seats.
Other parties could win between 1 and 5 seats, with Congress expected to have a 42 per cent vote share.
