Stage is set for a keen tussle between Congress and an upbeat BJP in Madhya Pradesh where an estimate 3.79 crore electorate would decide on Monday whether the longest serving chief minister Digvijay Singh would get another term or Uma Bharti leads the state for the next five years.
A total of 2171 candidates, including 197 women, are in the fray in 230 constituencies in the state in the election, which is the first, after bifurcation of the state leading to formation of a separate Chhattisgarh.
Electronic voting machines are being used for the first time all over the state in a bid to make the whole exercise less cumbersome and time consuming.
Singh is contesting from Raghogarh in Guna district while his arch rival Bharti, who has been projected the chief ministerial candidate by BJP, is the nominee from Badamalhera in Bundelkhand region.
The polling is being held after a fortnight-long high voltage campaigning which often turned acrimonious following charges and countercharges by the rival parties. Development emerged the dominant issue in the polls in the backdrop of power crisis and bad roads.
Congress is contesting 229 seats as it has left one seat to RPI while BJP is in the fray in all 230 seats. BSP, Samajwadi Party and NCP have also put up candidates in several constituencies.
{{/usCountry}}Congress is contesting 229 seats as it has left one seat to RPI while BJP is in the fray in all 230 seats. BSP, Samajwadi Party and NCP have also put up candidates in several constituencies.
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