The high voltage campaign that witnesses several political allegations, words exchange, and heated political debates campaign in a run to upcoming polls come to a halt at 5pm on Monday.
Assembly Elections in Madhya Pradesh will be held on November 28 for all 230 assembly seats in a single round of voting.
The state will have a close cut throat competition between the Bhartiya Janta Party and the Indian National Congress. The ruling saffron brigade led by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan will look to retain its power in the state for the fourth consecutive term while the Congress is looking to turn the table this time around on the backdrop of several farmer protests and anti-incumbency against the ruling party. Recent opinion polls have suggested a strong fight between BJP and Congress to form government post the assembly elections.
The other major parties in the electoral fray include – Bahujan Samaj Party, alliance partners Samajwadi Party and Gondwana Gantantra Party, and the Aam Admi Party.
Madhya Pradesh is the largest in terms of assembly seats amongst the five states going for polls.
Congress National President Rahul Gandhi made eight visits to the state starting from early this year in June and visited all regions of the state, holding nearly 20 public meetings and half a dozen road shows. He was accompanied by s/state Congress chief Kamal Nath, campaign committee chairman Jyotiraditya Scindia, and other top state leaders. While Jyotiraditiya Scindia independently held over 100 Political Meeting and over Dozen Roadshow across the state in a run to polls.
Congress Campaign revolved around the local issues –farm distress, lack of development and job opportunities, security of women in the state, atrocities on Dalits and adivasis. While the party also attacked the ruling outfit over national issues like Rafale deal.
In Contrast, CM Shivraj began its ‘Jan Ashirwad’ Yatra in July with an aim to reach out all 230 seats seeking people support for the upcoming polls. However, the ‘jan ashirwad’ yatra was abruptly called off cover 187 assembly constituency out of 230 in the state.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off his MP campaign only on November 16. He also visited the Vindhya region, which has 30 seats in the 230-member strong state assembly.
Polled Votes will be counted on December 11 along with other state assembly elections.