Big BJP bounce in Hindi heartland, Congress gets consolation prize
New Indian ExpressIn Madhya Pradesh, the BJP managed to hold on to power. Yet, the party didn't project Shivraj Singh Chouhan as its face, seeking votes in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi instead. Of course, the BJP electoral machine's booth management skills, astute ticket distribution and the over confidence of the Congress swung the popular mood in its favour in Madhya Pradesh. The Opposition’s guarantees like reviving the old pension scheme, caste census and other freebies couldn’t score over Modi’s guarantee of ushering in a Vikshit Bharat in all the three states. Announcing the extension of the free ration scheme to 80 crore poor people for five years after the model code of conduct had kicked in, the annual Rs 6,000 dole to farmers and the passage of the women’s reservation bill in Parliament drew women to polling booths in droves.