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Madhya Pradesh headed for polling in a single phase on November 28. The tenure of this Assembly will conclude on January 7, 2019. A political party needs to win 116 seats to secure a simple majority.
The voter turnout in Madhya Pradesh was 75.05 percent against 72.07 percent in 2013.
The single-phase voting happened after weeks of intense campaigning by state-level leaders from both sides and national level leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP National President Amit Shah and Congress President Rahul Gandhi.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been in power in the state since 2003. Out of the 15 years they have been in power, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has occupied the top office in the state since 2005. If Chouhan manages to retain power in spite of the reported anti-incumbency, he would win a rare fourth term.
Chouhan is facing a stiff challenge from the main opposition party — Congress. Despite reported difference within the party ranks, Congress state unit President Kamal Nath, Guna Member of Parliament and campaign chief Jyotiraditya Scindia and former chief minister Digvijaya Singh have presented a united face.
Congress, being described by some as “resurgent” is hoping to return to power in the state after 15 years.
Kamal Nath: Rahul Gandhi’s confidant, Congress’ trusted 'backdoor negotiator'
"Nath has been a close confidant of the Nehru-Gandhi family. Former prime minister Indira Gandhi had introduced him to the people of Chhindwara saying, “This is my third son. Please vote for him.”
At some point, 'Indira ke do haath, Sanjay Gandhi aur Kamal Nath(Indira’s two hands, Sanjay Gandhi and Kamal Nath)' was a popular slogan. Sanjay Gandhi was Nath’s schoolmate. Nath was also close to former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.
He has been former Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s trusted backdoor negotiator too. He played an important role in managing the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) 2.
In 2016, Nath’s close ties with Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)’s Mayawati helped a Congress candidate win a Rajya Sabha seat from Madhya Pradesh despite the party falling short by two seats."
Read the new Chief Minister-designate's entire profile here.
"I will meet the Governor tomorrow at 10:30 am and decide on the swearing-in ceremony," KamalNathtells media.
"I want to thank those who supported Congress party... I am confident that the future of MadhyaPradesh would be secured... I want to assure the people of MadhyaPradesh that we will fulfill our promises," CM designateKamalNathsays.
"Rahul Gandhi has elected KamalNathas the Chief Minister of MadhyaPradesh," announces senior Congress leader AK Antony to media.
Kamal Nath appointed as Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh
The Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee has chosen Kamal Nath, a senior leader and former Union Minister as the party's chief minister-designate, the party announced late on December 13.... Read More
'An era of change upon MP': Congress announces Kamal Nath as Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister
Congress announced senior party leader KamalNath as the Chief Minister of MadhyaPradesh. The party took to its Twitter handle to announce the news, stating that "an era of change is upon MP with him at the helm."
Congress MLAscurrently in a meeting, Chief Minister to be announced shortly.
CM probable Kamal Nath and senior Congress leader AK Anthony have reached Congress office in Bhopal, News18 has reported.
CM probables, KamalNath and Jyotiraditya Scindiahavereached Bhopal, CNN News18 has reported.
"There is no race... We are here to serve people of Madhya Pradesh... MP will get a CM today... Everything will be apparent in Bhopal," Jyotiraditya Scindiatold media persons after leaving RahulGandhi's residence in New Delhi.
Sources close to Kamal Nath have said that they had a very cordial meeting with Rahul Gandhi...Scindia was also present in the meeting.
– CNN-News 18
CM probable KamalNathhas left the residence of Congress President RahulGandhi.
"I am leaving for Bhopal, MLAs meeting will be held and we will announce the CM name after that," KamalNathtold media persons.
Sonia Gandhi has left from RahulGandhi's residence in New Delhi, CNN News18 has reported.
CM probable Kamal Nath has reached RahulGandhi's residence in New Delhi, CNN-News 18 has reported.
PriyankaGandhi leaves from RahulGandhi's residence in New Delhi, CNN-News 18 has reported.
Sonia, Priyanka at Rahul Gandhi's residence before
decision on CMs in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, ChhattisgarhUPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and her daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were in a huddle with Congress chief Rahul Gandhi at his home on Thursday as suspense escalated on who would be named the chief ministers of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi held talks with the party's central observers in the states, who gave him inputs on the views of the newly-elected legislators in the three states.
Sonia Gandhi drove to Rahul Gandhi's Tughlaq Lane residence to discuss the choices for the new chief ministers, party sources said. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was also present at the discussions.
All eyes on the official announcement of the coronation of the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. Congress President RahulGandhi is likely to make the announcement shortly. (Image: Facebook/ @TheKamalNath)
PriyankaGandhi has also reached RahulGandhi's residence, CNN-News 18 has reported.
Former Congress President Sonia Gandhi has reached RahulGandhi's residence as suspense intensifies.
JyotiradityaScindiahas reached RahulGandhi's residence in Delhi. However, reports have suggested that Gandhi has already cleared Kamal Nath's name for the Chief Minister and Scindia could be given the Deputy Chief Minister's position.
Congress protecting perpetrators of anti-Sikh riots: Akali leader on Kamal Nath as possible CM
As Kamal Nath emerged front-runner for the post of Madhya Pradesh chief minister, a Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader today accused the Congress leadership of "protecting the perpetrators" of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
The Akali Dal alleges that Nath had a hand in the anti-Sikh riots that broke out in the national capital following the assassination of Indira Gandhi in 1984.
"Whenever the Gandhi family comes to power, it protects the perpetrators of the 1984 riots. Now Rahul Gandhi and the Gandhi family are rewarding Kamal Nath as chief minister of Madhya Pradesh...," Akali Dal leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa said, according to PTI.
Rahul Gandhi has cleared the Kamal Nath’s name as the next Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, India Today is reporting.
Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijaya Singh has said that the name of the state’s new chief minister will be announced at the Legislative Party meeting at 5.30 pm today.
Follow the LIVE updates here
Meanwhile, TelanganaRashtraSamithi(TRS) chief K ChandrashekarRaohas been sworn in as the Chief Minister for the second consecutive time.
Kamal Nath is expected to return to Bhopal at 4.00 pm along with the observers. Official announcement of Kamal Nath as the Chief Minister could be made by 4.30 pm.
BJP’s Madhya Pradesh loss analysis
Sources in the BJP have told News18: “We don’t see any pattern emerging from this loss. The fact that the Mandsaur belt voted for us means that farmers are happy with the BJP. We should have replaced more ministers as 13 of them lost. So candidate selection has been an area of concern. We should have managed more rebels.”
BJP is holding a meeting to review its losses in the three Hindi heartland states.
Rahul Gandhi’s meeting with observers is underway.
“We are taking inputs from MLAs and party workers. You will see a chief minister soon,” Rahul Gandhi has told the media while on his way to the crucial meeting called to pick CMs for Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.
BJP National President Amit Shah has rejected Rakesh Singh’s resignation as the Madhya Pradesh state unit chief, according to reports.
Following BJP’s loss in Madhya Pradesh, party’s state unit chief Rakesh Singh has offered his resignation from the post taking responsibility, according to reports.
Congress' state election campaign chief JyotiradityaScindiamay be given the post of Deputy Chief Minister, according to reports.
Congress is expected to announce MadhyaPradesh's new Chief Minister today. State unit chief KamalNathis reportedly the front runner.
Congress spokesperson, ShobhaOzatold media persons that there was no leaning towards any one name
KamalNathis likely to be the next chief minister of MadhyaPradesh, News18is
reporting. Formal announcement is likely to be made at 9.00 pm today.Jyotiraditya Scindia reportedly proposed Nath’s name.The Congress Legislature Partyhas passed aproposal at itsmeeting in Bhopal. Congress'high command will now take a call on naming the Chief Minister.
Follow the LIVE updates here
Meanwhile, Congress is likely to announce its Chief Minister for Rajasthan in a short while.
State unit President Sachin Pilot and All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary Ashok Gehlot are reportedly in fray. The decision will be taken by the Congress high command and party president Rahul Gandhi.
Chouhan has said he hopes that the incoming Congress government “waives the farmer loans within 10 days as promised.”
“Rahul Gandhi has said that the chief minister will be changed if it is not done in 10 days,” he said.
I congratulated Kamal Nath ji. I want to request the new government that let there be continuity in popular schemes: Chouhan
“I take full responsibility for the defeat,” Chouhan has said.
We are grateful to the people: Shivraj Singh Chouhan
I never wanted to hurt anybody's sentiments, anyone of the 7 crore people in my state;but if I have inadvertently done so, I apologise: ShivrajSinghChouhan
Roads, electricity and water were the main issues before us when we formed the government. I am proud to say that under my government, these issues have been taken care of. Have we brought the state to a better position? Yes, definitely, through the multitude of policies that the BJPgovernment formulated: ShivrajSingh Chouhan
Outgoing Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan addresses the media
"Vote percentage wise the BJPhas gotten more votes than the Congress, but number of seats wise the Congress is ahead of us by a small number", RakeshSingh, MadhyaPradesh BJPChief told reporters.
"Even though Shivraj SIngh Chouhanhas tendered his resignation,we would like to addthat the work done under him has topped records in the state," Rakesh Singh added.
RakeshSingh thanks all BJP workers and star campaigners for working hard during the elections. He said that the BJP will still stand by the people of MadhyaPradesh.
"I got the opportunity to be the chief minister for 15 years and I have worked relenetlessly for the betterment of the public,"ShivrajSingh Chouhantold media persons.
Congress poised to form governments in Hindi heartland states, CM choices remain in balance
All eyes are now on Congress President Rahul Gandhi's choice of chief ministers of the three states, which he will decide after the victorious MLAs finish their meetings in the three states.
Willing to take CM’s responsibility: Jyotiraditya Scindia
“I am willing to take the chief minister’s responsibility. It will be a privilege if I get [it],” Jyotiraditya Scindia tells News18
Congress’ Madhya Pradesh campaign chief Jyotiraditya Scindia to News18:
I was sure from day one that we are looking at majority numbers. It is our commitment that we will usher in new era of new environment of security, of jobs, it will be a new Madhya Pradesh.
I am not an astrologer of a psephologist. I have always looked at the number of 116. Now we have formed a government with support of BSP and Independent MLAs.
Never underestimate your opponent. The battle is over but they fought it. I congratulate all those in BJP who have won.
