The Madhya Pradesh Assembly election witnessed the conclusion of voting for the 230 Assembly seats, registering a notable polling percentage of 76.22%.
However, the final tally from the Election Commission is pending as polling persisted late into the night at several booths, including Gwalior South and Bairasia in Bhopal.
The fate of several high-profile candidates, including Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union ministers Narendra Singh Tomar, Prahlad Patel, Faggan Singh Kulaste, MPs Rakesh Singh, Ganesh Singh, Riti Pathak, state Congress chief Kamal Nath, LoP Govind Singh, among others, now rests within the EVMs following the conclusion of polling.
Among the 2,533 candidates contesting, there's representation from a third-gender candidate vying for victory in Malhara, Chhatarpur district. Out of the 230 seats, 148 belong to the general category, with 35 seats reserved for SCs and 47 for STs.
While the BJP endeavors to maintain its hold, the Congress aspires for a decisive comeback with an absolute majority this time. Both parties lured voters with promises, including farmer loan waivers and cash incentives.
Amidst the electoral process, the state witnessed unfortunate incidents of violence during polling.
A disturbing incident emerged from Rajnagar, Chhatarpur district, where BJP candidate Arvind Pateriya and 19 associates were booked for allegedly causing the death of Congress councillor Salman Khan. Khan was driving Rajnagar Congress nominee Vikram Singh, who accused Pateriya and his men of attempting to kill him too. The police action followed a complaint filed by Vikram Singh.
In response, Pateriya released a video refuting the allegations, claiming he wasn't present during the incident. He suggested Khan's demise resulted from infighting among intoxicated Congress workers and demanded a judicial probe along with punishment for those responsible.
Moreover, incidents of violence were reported from Morena, Bhind districts in the Chambal region, as well as from Indore and Bhopal. In Bhind's Mehgaon constituency, BJP candidate Rakesh Shukla sustained minor injuries amid stone-pelting between rival groups, receiving immediate medical attention at a nearby hospital.
(With Agency Inputs)
ALSO READ | Violence Erupts in Chambal Region Ahead of MP Polls, Candidates Confined for Security
