Counting of votes in four states begins, Congress and BJP neck to neck, first results to be announced at 10

NEW DELHI: Counting of votes for Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Telangana assembly elections started Sunday morning at 8 am. Polling was held for 230 seats in Madhya Pradesh, 199 in Rajasthan, 90 in Chhattisgarh, and 119 in Telangana. The counting of votes in Mizoram was postponed to tomorrow following the demand of the Christian majority. When the first lead comes out, the main parties, BJP and Congress, are witnessing a close fight. The Congress is leading in Telangana.

The elections in five states were an important step for the Congress to regain its lost glory. However, it is an opportunity for the BJP to make things better. The results of the exit polls that came out yesterday are both comforting and worrying for both parties.

In Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, while the Congress is seeking a second term, the BJP is trying to regain power. On the other hand, in Madhya Pradesh, when the BJP is seeking another term, the Congress is trying to regain power.

The Congress is optimistic that it will be able to oust BRS in Telangana. It is reported that the party has already formulated the strategies to be adopted for government formation. But Chief Minister Chandrasekhara Rao says that he will retain power. BJP also hopes that there will be a big breakthrough in Telangana.

In Telangana and Chhattisgarh, the exit polls gave the Congress the upper hand. BJP is also leading in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. However, it is clear that the fight will be tough in these four states. It is believed that due to the infighting going on, we may have to wait till the end of the counting to get a clear indication of who will assume power.