BHOPAL: The BJP is set to retain Madhya Pradesh for the fourth time in a row in the upcoming assembly elections, an opinion poll predicted on Thursday. In a survey conducted by India TV and CNX, the saffron party was projected to win 128 seats in the 230-member assembly. The Congress, according to the poll, may only secure 85 seats and the BSP 8.


The pre-poll survey has given the BJP 43 per cent vote share and the Congress 37 per cent. Mayawati's BSP is predicted to get six per cent of the votes. In the survey, Shivraj Singh Chouhan remained the top choice for the chief ministerial post with the backing of 40.35 per cent respondents. 22.19 per cent favoured Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia while 18.08 per cent chose Congress state chief Kamal Nath.

The BJP had secured power in Madhya Pradesh in 2013 by winning 165 seats. Elections for the 230-member MP Assembly are scheduled for November 28 while counting of votes will be taken up on December 11.

Earlier this month, Pre-poll surveys have predicted a close battle in Madhya Pradesh but gave the Congress a clear edge in the 230 seats up for grabs. In a survey conducted by ABP News, BJP is likely to win 108 seats while the Congress is set to bag 122 seats. Other parties in the battle are seen drawing a blank.