Madhya Pradesh Polls: Madhya Pradesh, a state where the BJP faced challenges in securing a majority in 2018, is predicted to witness a return to power for the saffron party, according to exit polls. The NewsX Poll of Polls positions the BJP at 119 seats in the 230-member Assembly, with the Congress trailing at 107. Other parties may secure four seats in an assembly where the majority mark is 116.
According to the PolStrat exit poll, the BJP is expected to win 106-116 seats, while the Congress is expected to win 111-121. Other parties fall between 0 and 6. According to the Jan Ki Baat exit poll, the BJP has 113 seats, the Congress has 112, and others have five seats. Matrize predicts 118-130 seats for the BJP, 97-107 for the Congress, and 0 for others.
In the last Assembly Elections held on November 28, 2018, the Indian National Congress emerged as the single largest party, with Kamal Nath assuming office as the Chief Minister. The ABP-C Voter Exit Poll now suggests a resurgence for the Congress, projecting the party to win between 113 and 137 seats, while the BJP is expected to secure seats between 88 and 112. The Congress is also anticipated to draw a vote share of 44.1%, a growth from 40.9% in the last election, while the BJP may see a minor dip in the vote percentage at 40.7%, down from 41%.
The 230-member assembly went to the polls in a single phase on November 17, with the BJP and the Congress vying for power. The BJP won 109 seats in the 2018 Madhya Pradesh elections. Battling anti-incumbency after nearly two decades in power, the BJP relied on Prime Minister Modi’s appeal and the strategic acumen of Amit Shah. The Congress rejuvenated after setbacks in 2018, aimed to capitalize on perceived anti-incumbency and controversies within the state BJP unit.
As the state awaits election results, exit polls show a closely contested battle with implications for the Madhya Pradesh political landscape and broader national dynamics. The outcome will be closely watched as the BJP attempts to make a comeback in a state where it has traditionally held sway.