Madhya Pradesh elections 2023: BJP roars with staggering numbers, Congress wiped out

India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party clinched a massive victory in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly election. The results came out in favour of the BJP despite exit polls predicting a tight race. 

The BJP had clinched victory or was leading in 165 seats at 8:40 pm (local time), which was more than double the number of seats with Congress – 64. The numbers have represented BJP's staggering gain of 56 seats and a massive loss of 50 seats for the Congress.

Among the state elections' heavyweights, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan clinched victory from Budhni and his predecessor and leader of Congress Kamal Nath was leading from Chhindwara.

Also read: As BJP wins in MP, Scindia fires back at Priyanka Gandhi over 'height' remark

After it became clear that the BJP was winning elections, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked voters and said the results showed that the country's people have chosen "politics of good governance and development".

Confirming BJP's victory in Madhya Pradesh, the Election Commission of India said that the party will be forming its government in the state as it has crossed the majority mark of 116 seats.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Jyotiraditya Scindia emerge as 'election heroes'

Earlier on Sunday (Dec 3), Chouhan appreciated the 'double engine' approach of the party. "The reason for this (win for the BJP) is the double-engine government and the welfare schemes. These touched the hearts of voters... we will win with a comfortable majority,” he said.

Watch: Assembly elections results: BJP scores hat-trick in crucial assembly elections

He had earlier expressed confidence that the BJP would clinch victory and form the government for a fifth time. In the morning, Chouhan had said that the party will remain in power with a commanding majority.

"I am confident that with the blessings of the people and the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP will form government again with a full majority," said Chouhan, while speaking on X. 

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, who is being helmed as one of the major reasons behind the victory and whose mutiny in 2020 led to the fall of Kamal Nath-led Congress government, had expressed his confidence in the party's victory.

"We will wait till the complete results are in. We will form government with complete majority. The people's faith in PM and the welfare schemes are the reasons for such a mandate,” he said.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in the hearts of the people of Madhya Pradesh. The work done by the double-engine government, whether in the Centre or the state, such as the Ladli scheme, has helped uplift people and improved their lives. All of us have worked hard together," said Chouhan, while speaking to NDTV.

Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath, accepting the defeat, said, “We will analyse the loopholes and why we were not able to make the voters understand our point. We will hold discussions with all, be it a winning or losing candidate.”

"We accept the decision of the voters of Madhya Pradesh in this contest of democracy. I congratulate BJP and hope that they will live up to the support people have given them," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)