#IndiaDecidesOnDec11: Congress leads in 3 states, big blow to BJP
What's the story
The Hindi heartland has not brought good news for BJP as it might lose power in three important states, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
While Vasundhara Raje has been in power since 2013, Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Raman Singh had been governing MP and Chhattisgarh, respectively, for more than 10 years.
Riding on BJP's anti-incumbency, Congress seems to have struck gold this time.
Rajasthan
Congress performs exceptionally well in Rajasthan
On December 7, Rajasthan voted for 199 seats in the 200 members strong assembly. According to the latest results, Congress is leading in 95 seats. In 2013, the grand old party won 21 seats and the numbers show a huge improvement.
BJP, on the other hand, has lost big. As compared to 162 seats in 2013, it is leading in just 81 seats.
Factors
Raje's anti-incumbency haunts her; Pilot, Gehlot emerge winners
Raje may have ruled out anti-incumbency, but the trends show it played a big role. The member of the royal family is leading by 8,845 from her bastion Jhalrapatan, where rebel-BJP leader Manvendra Singh was fielded by Congress.
Congress' Ashok Gehlot was leading by 5,112 votes from Sardarpura, and Sachin Pilot by 5,295 votes from Tonk.
Madhya Pradesh
After governing MP since 2005, Chouhan shown exit door
Chouhan, despite his popularity in the central state, might have failed to get BJP another term.
The Congress was leading in 112 seats and BJP in 103. Others are leading in 8 seats. In 2013, Congress won 57 seats and BJP managed to win an astounding 161 seats.
The data only shows farmer distress, lack of jobs and anti-incumbency have affected the polls.
Chhattisgarh
Raman Singh's hopes of fourth consecutive term shattered
The numbers in Chhattisgarh are sure to leave BJP's high-command red-faced, as saffron party banked on Chief Minister Raman Singh's 'development'.
Though the Congress didn't put a face on their election campaign, attacking Singh and BJP got them a clean sweep.
The Congress was leading in 54 seats and BJP was restricted to just 25. In 2014, BJP got 49 seats and Congress 39.