Counting in MP assembly elections over after 24 hours: Here are 4 Independents who hold the key to forming govt

With Congress failing to touch the majority mark of 116 in 230-member Assembly in Madhya Pradesh, the party has to rely on support of at least 2 MLAs besides its 114 legislators. 

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.

As per the final results declared by the Election Commission after 24 hours of counting, the Congress has won 114 seats while the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won 109 seats. The Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has won two seats and the Samajwadi Party (SP) has won one seat. 

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

In his letter to Governor Anandiben Patel late last night, Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath claimed support of all the four Independents.

"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," Nath said in the letter.

But who are these independents MLAs? While some reports claimed that three of the four MLAs were Digivijaya Singh supporters and contested elections after being denied Congress tickets, there was no confirmation about this. 

But 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.

Here are the four Independents:

Kedar Chidabhai Dawar: Defeated BJP's Jamnasingh Solanki by 9716 votes in Bhagwanpura

2013 winner: Vijay Singh, Congress

Thakur Surendra Singh Naval Singh "Shera Bhaiya": Defeated BJP's Archana Didi by 5120 votes in Burhanpur

2013 winner: Archna Chitnis Didi, BJP

Vikaram Singh Rana Guddu Bhai: Defeated Congress's Mahendra Bhairu Singh Bapu by 27062 votes in Susner

2013 winner: Murlidhar Patidar, BJP

Pradeep Amratlal Jaiswal (Gudda): Defeated BJP's Dr Yogendra Nirmal by 3862 votes in Waraseoni

2013 winner- Dr Yogendra Nirmal, BJP