Assembly Election Results 2018: Congress emerges as single largest party in Madhya Pradesh, but misses the majority mark

The Congress on Wednesday emerged as the single largest party in Madhya Pradesh, unseating the ruling Bharatiya Janat Party (BJP) after a 15-year rule in the Hindi-speaking state. It, however, failed to touch the majority mark of 116 in the 230-member assembly. 

As per the final results declared by the Election Commission after 24 hours of counting, the Congress won 114 seats while the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 109 seats. 

The Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has won two seats and the Samajwadi Party (SP) has won one seat. 

The Congress will have to enlist the support of at least one of the four independents and the lone Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate elected in Madhya Pradesh to form the next government in the state.

Independents form the third largest block after the BJP and the Congress, emerging victorious on four seats. They also hold the key to forming the government. 

Late last night, without waiting for the final results, the Congress wrote to Governor Anandiben Patel, staking claim to form the government in the state. In a letter seeking time from the Governor, Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Kamal Nath claimed the party had the support of the four independents also.

"The Congress party has emerged as the single largest party with a majority support. All the independents have in addition assured support to the Congress party," the letter said.

"As the president of Pradesh Congress Committee, I seek an appointment with your Excellency late tonight, as soon as the results are officially declared along with my senior leaders to apprise you and seek your permission to form government in the state of Madhya Pradesh," Nath said in the letter.

However, the BJP claimed that it was in touch with many Independents.

"Congress does not have the mandate in the state. Many Independents are in touch with the BJP," tweeted BJP's state president Rakesh Singh.

The four Independents are: Kedar Chidabhai Dawar from Bhagwanpura, Thakur Surendra Singh Naval Singh from Burhanpur, Vikaram Singh Rana Guddu Bhai from Susner and Pradeep Amratlal Jaiswal (Gudda) from  Waraseoni.