SRINAGAR: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is surging towards victory in the Hindi heartland states of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, establishing a clear advantage in Chhattisgarh. Meanwhile, the Congress seemed poised to overthrow the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in Telangana in a crucial exercise ahead of the looming Lok Sabha polls.
As the Election Commission website displayed evolving trends during the assembly elections in these four states, a complex political mosaic emerged, suggesting the imprint of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the outcome. The BJP seemed to enjoy pro-incumbency in Madhya Pradesh, while anti-incumbency sentiments prevailed in the Congress-ruled states of Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.
These elections, setting the tone for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, witnessed a head-to-head clash between the BJP and the Congress in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh. In Telangana, it was a direct contest between the Congress and the BRS led by K Chandrashekhar Rao, anticipating a hat-trick victory.
Celebrations erupted in BJP strongholds as the party secured a substantial lead in Madhya Pradesh, positioning itself for another term with 161 seats, while the Congress lagged far behind with 66 in the 230-member assembly. The BJP, with an 18-year rule in Madhya Pradesh, appeared set to retain power decisively.
In neighbouring Rajasthan, traditionally alternating between the BJP and Congress, the saffron party led with 111 seats, comfortably surpassing the halfway mark, while the Congress trailed with 72 seats in the 199-seat assembly. The BJP looked poised to take over from the Congress, which grappled with factionalism.
In Chhattisgarh, the BJP strengthened its lead over the Congress as counting progressed, being ahead in 53 seats compared to Congress’s 36 in the 90-member assembly.
For the Congress, a glimmer of hope emerged in Telangana, where the party was ahead in 64 seats, positioning itself to seize power from the BRS, which had leads in 40 seats in the 119-member house.
