Defying many ground analyses, opinion and exit polls, the ruling BJP surged towards a massive victory in Madhya Pradesh, looking set to touch the 165 seats mark that it achieved in 2013.
And, going by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s own statement – it seems the women voters have hugely supported the saffron party for its pro-women schemes – especially the Ladli Behna scheme under which 1.31 crores women are receiving monthly cash assistance of Rs 1250 per month.
"Laadli Behna has changed lives and gave rise to immense love and trust in the hearts of the women," Chouhan said speaking to media persons at around 11.00 am even as counting trends showed BJP leading at around 160 seats. He added that he was sure that the BJP would form a government with an impressive majority in the state.
The chief minister, who could be easily termed as one of the biggest architects of the impending win of the BJP for the fifth time in past 20 years, also said that along with Ladli Behna, schemes like Ladli Laxmi (for girl children), Kanya Vivah (marriage scheme), 50 pc reservation in local bodies polls, effective implementation of PM Matri Vandana scheme (maternity assistance), Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, concession in registry fee for property purchase for women and 35 per cent reservation for women in recruitment in the state, made a huge difference to the women.
He also gave credit to the leadership of PM Narendra Modi and his pro-poor schemes repeating the slogan ‘MP ke man mei Modi; Modi ke man mei MP’ (Modi in MP’s heart; MP in Modi’s heart).
There had been speculations that the Ladli Behna scheme would prove to be a game changer for the BJP, but since the opposition Congress had also promised monthly cash assistance of Rs 1500 and other sops for women and other sections of society, poll analysts felt that the contest will be neck-to-neck between the two parties, especially given the huge anti-incumbency of 20 years.
However, the impressive turnout of women voters during the polling on November 17 did indicated the impact of the pro-women schemes of the ruling party. The state reported a record 77.15 pc turnout, with 76.02 pc women voters exercising their franchise. The total number of women voters was 2.71 crores and the fact that 1.31 crores out of them were beneficiaries of the Ladli Behna scheme seems to have made a huge difference.
The BJP was doing well in most of the regions in Madhya Pradesh, especially the Malwa-Nimad, Central MP, Bundelkhand and Vindhya regions that make up 148 out of the 230 seats.
BJP state president Vishnu Dutt meanwhile hailed the BJP workers for the tremendous work in moving towards fulfilling the target of 51 per cent vote share in the state. “Under the guidance of (home minister) Amit Shah, party workers have tried to fulfil the 51 pc vote per cent target given by him and that is why we are moving towards a historic win. This is a blessing of people to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji for his pro-poor welfare schemes. Even our minority brothers and sisters whom the Congress considers a vote bank, have shown faith in us due to the welfare schemes like free ration, PM Housing scheme and others.”
As for Congress, he said that (Rajya Sabha member) Digvijaya Singh was 'Mr Bantadhar' who first destroyed the state and has now destroyed the Congress. "Also, (ex-CM) Kamal Nath resorted to treachery and guile and turned in 'Corruption-Nath' and people of Madhya Pradesh have shown him his place."
Kamal Nath said earlier in the day that he had full confidence that people will keep the future of Madhya Pradesh safe.
Chouhan watched the counting proceedings at BJP headquarters in Bhopal along with union ministers Narendra Singh Tomar and Jyotiraditya Scindia. Both Tomar and Scindia as considered CM contenders in Madhya Pradesh, though Scindia has often said he was not in the race. The party was doing well in the Gwalior region of Scindia’s influence, though Congress was leading in many seats of the Chambal region – also considered the union minister’s domain. Tomar was leading from his own seat in Dimni in Morena district.