BSP, independents hold key in Raj, MP

BSP, independents and other smaller parties will hold the key in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh are headed to a hung assembly if current trends become true.

Senior Congress leader and AICC General Secretary Ashok Gehlot, who is considered to be one of the Chief Minister hopefuls in Rajasthan, has already said made it clear that his party has space for those leaving BJP.

In Rajasthan, where the winning side needs 100 seats, Congress is leading in 96 seats. Here, Congress would be able to form the government with the support of others as BJP is far behind at 76.

BSP is leading in three, CPM in two and Bharatiya Tribal Party, RLD and RLP in one each. There are 14 independents too leading in various constituencies.

In Madhya Pradesh, the contest is going to the wires as the Congress and BJP are in a neck-and-neck race. The trends are changing every minute. BJP and Congress are leading in around 110 seats.

BSP is leading in four seats, while BSD, GGD, SP and Independent are leading in one each seat. The big question is will BSP align with Congress with which it had conducted seat negotiations.

The trends also reversed the common perception that BSP would be a big factor in Chhattisgarh than in Madhya Pradesh.

A triangular contest was expected in Chhattisgarh with BSP aligning with Ajit Jogi-led Janata Chhattisgarh Congress but the results showed that Congress' prospects was not hampered by the coalition. However, in Madhya Pradesh, the BSP did perform better and is now in a kingmaker's position as trends showed.