24-hours of counting later, Congress emerges largest party in MP
The final results of assembly polls of Madhya Pradesh were revealed a short while ago and Congress has emerged as the single largest party, unseating BJP in the 'heart of India' where it was ruling since the last 15 years. The Congress missed the majority mark and won 114 seats while BJP won 109. The magic number needed to form the government is 116.
All eyes on BSP and Others now
With both the major parties falling short of the required number, the attention is now on independent candidates and smaller parties. Mayawati's BSP, which didn't form a pre-poll alliance with the Congress after being upset with Digvijaya Singh, won 2 seats. Others won 5 seats.
Understanding reasons behind delay of MP results
While the picture of other states, Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and Telangana, was clear by the evening on Tuesday, MP's results kept everyone on toes. Reports suggest four factors, namely an increase in postal ballot votes, the tallying of EVM with VVPAT slips, thin margins, and a cautious approach, led to the delay in final results. Before results, Congress spoke about EVM tampering by BJP.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan loses CM-post after more than a decade
Despite anti-incumbency of 15 years, the close fight shows outgoing Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is popular among the masses. From his own constituency, Budhni, Chouhan won by a margin of 58,999 votes. He was contesting against Congress leader Arun Yadav. After the results were declared, Congress swung to action and wrote to governor Anandiben Patel to invite them to form the government.
Congress stakes claim to form government
PM Modi congratulates winners, vows to work harder
After an embarrassing defeat (the BJP lost all three Hind heartland states- Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and MP), Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted his congratulations to the winners. "Today's results will further our resolve to serve people and work even harder for the development of India," he wrote while accepting the people's mandate. He also sent his best wishes to KCR who swept Telangana.
