Madhya Pradesh headed for polling in a single phase on November 28. The tenure of this Assembly will conclude on January 7, 2019. A political party needs to win 116 seats to secure a simple majority.

The voter turnout in Madhya Pradesh was 75.05 percent against 72.07 percent in 2013.

The single-phase voting happened after weeks of intense campaigning by state-level leaders from both sides and national level leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP National President Amit Shah and Congress President Rahul Gandhi.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been in power in the state since 2003. Out of the 15 years they have been in power, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has occupied the top office in the state since 2005. If Chouhan manages to retain power in spite of the reported anti-incumbency, he would win a rare fourth term.

Chouhan is facing a stiff challenge from the main opposition party — Congress. Despite reported difference within the party ranks, Congress state unit President Kamal Nath, Guna Member of Parliament and campaign chief Jyotiraditya Scindia and former chief minister Digvijaya Singh have presented a united face.

Congress, being described by some as “resurgent” is hoping to return to power in the state after 15 years.