Congress racing ahead in Raj, Delhi; BJP in MP

Counting has begun for five states assembly elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram under tight security this morning. Congress and BJP are at a close race for power. As per initial reports, the ruling Congress party is leading in Rajasthan, Delhi and Mizoram, while BJP is well ahead in Madhya Pradesh but running close in Chhattisgarh.

In Chhatisgarh, the two leading parties—Congress and BJP—are in neck-to-neck race. Raman Singh led ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, which had won the 2003 assembly elections with 50 seats would like to form the government with more margin in the 90 seat assembly.

In the national capital Delhi, though the anti-incumbency factor may come into play but the popularity of Sheila Dikshit can act in favour of Congress to a record third term. Final tallies can be figured out later on Monday afternoon.

Shiela Dixit led Congress party is reportedly heading ahead of the opposition BJP. In the 70-assembly seat, Congress is racing ahead of the BJP in 35 seats, while the latter is leading in 28 seats.

In Madhya Pradesh, the fate of several stalwarts including Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Bharatiya Janashakti chief Uma Bharti and former senior BJP leader and chief minister Babulal Gaur to be decided for the 230-member Assembly. The state has witnessed a 60 percent polling.

However, it would be a big test for Chief Minister Vasudhanra Raje’s government in Rajasthan; BJP performance in the present tenure would decide the fortune of Rajasthan government.

AICC general secretary Ashok Gehlot and Pradesh Congress Committee president C P Joshi are also testing their political fate in the 200-member state assembly. The voters turn out in Rajasthan was good with 65 to 68 per cent polling.

While in the north-eastern state of Mizoram, the main fray is between the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) and the chief opposition Congress party. The third political party, United Democratic Alliance (UDA) may be decisive in case of any of the two leading party fails to secure the magic number of 21 in the 40-member house.

The five states went to the polls from Nov 14 to Dec 4.