Madhya Pradesh Assembly Election 2018: Soon after exit poll results predicted a stiff fight with the Congress, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday expressed confidence and said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would bag a comfortable majority in the Assembly elections to form a government for the fourth consecutive time in the state. Speaking to news agency PTI, Chouhan said, “I am the biggest surveyor (pollster) as I remain in the midst of public all day long. The BJP is set to romp home.” Chouhan said this after visiting the famous Shree Pitambara Peeth temple earlier on Saturday. He was asked about exit polls predicting a close fight between BJP and the Congress.

“We have got the blessings of every section of society in the elections and we are on the way to win the polls,” the MP CM claimed. Madhya Pradesh went to polls on November 28 and results for the 230-member House will be declared on December 11. “Abki baar, 200 par (this time, over 200 seats)," Chouhan said repeating the BJP's slogan for the MP polls. About his visit the temple, Chouhan said that he had come to seek the blessing of goddess Pitambara for the well being of Madhya Pradesh. As per media reports, BJP had called for emergency meetings soon after the exit poll numbers were announced.

Roads ahead were not looking smooth for the ruling party as Congress reportedly stands in between to give a tough fight. However, several BJP leaders including the chief minister have claimed a straight majority in Madhya Pradesh. “We will get a good majority. It's not correct to say a number. I don't lie. You will see on (December) 11th (counting day). BJP will get a comfortable majority," Chouhan had said earlier while speaking to PTI.

Speaking about the issue of anti-incumbency as BJP has been in power in the state since mid-nineties, Chouhan said: “Some individuals might have faced anti-incumbency at some places, but not against the government and that there was no anti-incumbency.” Chouhan is one of India's largest serving chief ministers and believes that pro-incumbency and not anti-incumbency is at play in the central Indian state.