Chouhan's opponent Arun Yadav confident of Congress sweeping MP Assembly polls

Former Minister of State for Agriculture Arun Yadav, who is contesting against Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan from Budhni town in the assembly elections being held on Wednesday, is confident of the party's victory in the polls.

In an exclusive interview to ANI, Yadav who was also the Congress state president asserted that people are disillusioned with the ruling Madhya Pradesh government as they failed to develop the state.

"I am here in Budhni from the past 15 days. I believe that the majority of the people will vote for us (Congress). People are upset with this government because they have not carried any substantial development plan so far. I have visited villages and towns of Madhya Pradesh. people residing in these areas do not have access to even basic amenities such as water and electricity," he said.

The 44-year-old leader also accused the aides of the incumbent Chief Minister of creating an atmosphere of panic among voters in the state.

Yadav's remarks came shortly after Chouhan, in a jibe at his Congress opponent, said the party had been "unfair" to Yadav by ousting him from the post of state unit president and then by giving him a ticket from Budhni.

Voting in the state began at 8 am and will conclude at 5 pm. However, poll timing in Baihar, Lanji and Parswada Assembly constituencies of Balaghat district has been set from 7 am to 3 pm.

Around five crore eligible voters will decide the fate of 2,899 candidates contesting for 230 seats of the state Assembly.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made in order to ensure free, fair and peaceful polls. Around 1,80,000 security personnel have been deployed to maintain law and order in the region.