Independents hold key for Cong in MP
The Congress will have to enlist the support of at least one of the four independents or of the lone Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate elected in Madhya Pradesh to form the next government in the state. As of 5.30 am on Wednesday, the results for 225 of the 230 seats have been declared. The Congress has won 112 and is leading in three seats. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won 113 seats. The Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has won one seat and leading in one more. The Samajwadi Party (SP) has won one seat and Independent candidates have won four. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has won from his traditional Budhni seat by a margin of 58,999 votes, defeating former Union minister and senior Congress leader Arun Yadav. Counting for the election, held on November 28, began at 8 am Tuesday. Following is the party position in the outgoing House: BJP -165, Congress - 58, BSP - four and Independents - three. Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Kamal Nath wrote to Governor Anandiben Patel late on Tuesday night, staking claim to form the government in the state, a party spokesperson said. PTI
