Most exit polls on Thursday predicted a photo finish between the Congress and the BJP in the Chhattisgarh Assembly elections, with an edge to the former.
The results of Assembly elections held in five states are said to be crucial -- as they come ahead of the Lok Sabha elections next year.
In Chhattisgarh, while ABP News-C Voter predicted 36-48 seats for the BJP and 41-53 for the Congress, India Today-Axis My India forecast 36-46 seats for the BJP and 40-50 seats for the Congress.
India TV-CNX forecast 30-40 seats for the BJP and 46-56 seats for the Congress.
According to Jan Ki Baat, the BJP will get 34-45 and the Congress 42-53. Today's Chanakya predicted that the BJP will get 33 seats (plus-minus 8 seats) and the Congress would bag a clear majority 57 seats (plus-minus 8). Chhattisgarh, a tribal dominated state carved out of Madhya Pradesh, has a 90-member Assembly.
The first phase of the election was held on November 7 in which 20 constituencies voted. Polling for the remaining 70 seats took place on November 17.
Chhattisgarh witnessed a direct contest between the ruling Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party. The grand old party is expecting to retain power in the state for another term.
The BJP hopes to make a comeback in the state it ruled for 15 years until to 2018.
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel contested from Patan. He was pitted against BJP's Vijay Baghel, a distant nephew. He was also challenged by Janata Congress Chhattisgarh's Amit Jogi, son of former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi. The other key Congress candidates include Deputy Chief Minister T.S. Singh Deo (Ambikapur), Charan Das Mahant (Sakti), Tamradhwaj Sahu (Durg Rural), Ravindra Choubey (Saja) and Jai Singh Agrawal (Korba).
Former chief minister and BJP leader Raman Singh contested from his stronghold Rajnandgaon.