Madhya Pradesh (MP) bypoll results live news updates: Counting underway, BJP leading

Counting of votes has started for 28 assembly seats in Madhya Pradesh where byelections were held few days back. The result is crucial for former chief minister Kamal Nath, who lost power in the state seven months ago after the revolt by Jyotiraditya Scindia. It will be also a test of the Jyotiraditya Scindia factor as the scion of the erstwhile royal family of Gwalior had quit the Congress with his loyalist MLAs, who are now fighting on BJP tickets.

Here are the highlights:

• Trends as per Election Commission

• As per PTI, Congress leading in 3 seats while BJP is leading in 11

• The counting began at 8 AM

• The stakes are high for both the BJP and the Congress in the byelections, considered a litmus test for the parties.

• While the ruling BJP needs at least eight more MLAs for a simple majority in the MP Assembly, the Congress will be hoping to regain its turf as it had sitting MLAs in 27 seats out of 28 in the state where bypolls were held.

• Overall, the Congress had sitting MLAs in 42 seats out of 58, while the BJP had seven. The saffron party is fielding over 30 candidates who had won from the Congress ticket but switched sides and resigned, necessitating the bypolls.

• The counting will be held in 19 districts. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, a total of 70.27 percent voter turnout was recorded during the bypolls which were contested by 355 candidates, including 12 ministers.

• The BJP with 107 MLAs in MP assembly with an effective strength of 229 needs eight more MLAs for a simple majority.

• The Congress has 87 legislators in the House.