Madhya Pradesh elections: Shivraj Singh Chouhan makes hat-trick

Bhopal, Dec 8: So it's not just Narendra Modi with the cap of a hat-trick as the third consecutive Chief Minister in any state.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today joined the BJP's elite hat-trick club of chief ministers by retaining the state with the party leading in 165 seats out of 230 when this report was being filed.

The Bharatiya Janata Party brushed aside charges of corruption against 13 of its ministers and fears of sabotage by dissidents on its way to record an historic victory in Madhya Pradesh. Chouhan himself won both the seats of Vidisha and Budni.

No sooner had the counting of votes began at 8 am in the morning, the party took an insurmountable lead in just about two hours and sustained it all along.

The probable margin of victory has even surprised the party.

In Bhopal

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan waves to supporters after BJP's thumping victory in the State Assembly elections, in Bhopal on Sunday.

In Bhopal

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan addresses the media after BJP's thumping victory in the State Assembly elections, in Bhopal on Sunday.

In Bhopal

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is greeted by BJP National General Secretary Ananth Kumar after the party's thumping victory in the State Assembly elections, in Bhopal on Sunday.

In Bhopal

BJP supporters celebrate the party's thumping win in the Madhya Pradesh assembly polls, outside Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's residence in Bhopal on Sunday.

In Bhopal

BJP supporters dance as they celebrate the party's thumping win in the Madhya Pradesh assembly polls, outside Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's residence in Bhopal on Sunday.

OneIndia News