Madhya Pradesh Assembly Elections 2018: CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Rival Kamal Nath Cast Their Votes; Both 'Confident of Winning'
The fate of 2,907 candidates for the 230-seat Madhya Pradesh Vidhan Sabha will be sealed by over 5 crore voters today.
Bhopal, November 28: Voting was underway on Wednesday for the Madhya Pradesh Assembly Elections 2018. The fate of 2,907 candidates for the 230-seat Madhya Pradesh Vidhan Sabha will be sealed by over 5 crore voters today. As voters queued to cast their votes, political heavyweights in the state also voted and expressed confidence in winning the polls. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and his arch-rival Congress leader Kamal Nath cast their votes in the early hours of voting today. Live updates on Voting for Madhya Pradesh Assembly Elections 2018.
Kamal Nath, before casting his vote in Chhindwara, said, "I have full faith in the people of Madhya Pradesh, they are simple and innocent people who have been robbed for a long time by BJP." He offered prayers at a Hanuman temple in the area before casting his vote. Key candidates to watch out for in the battle for Madhya Pradesh.
On the other hand, Chouhan said that he was confident of retaining power. "We’re 100% certain that BJP will form a government with an absolute majority. We have set a target of 200 seats and our lakhs of volunteers are working to make it a reality." Chouhan also offered prayers on the banks of Narmada river before heading to cast his vote.
Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia also cast his vote in Gwalior today. "I assure you that on 11th December Congress will form the government with the blessings of the people," he said after casting his vote.
Polling in 227 seats of the state is being conducted from 8 am to 5 pm, while polling in Lanji, Paraswada and Baihar in Maoist-hit Balaghat district started at 7 am and will culminate at 3 pm. Voting is taking place at 65,341 polling booths, which have been set up for the single-phase elections to 230 seats of the state Assembly. As many as 2,000 booths are entirely being operated by women staff.
It is being said to be a tight battle between the Congress and the BJP for the 230-seat Madhya Pradesh Assembly. All eyes are now on the counting of votes that will take place on December 11.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 28, 2018 10:43 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).