The Congress is leading in two BJP-ruled heartland states -- Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh -- as votes get counted for the assembly elections billed as the semi-final before next year's national polls. In Madhya Pradesh, it is locked in a tough fight with the BJP. But the party is trailing in Mizoram, a state it rules. The ruling TRS looks set to retain Telangana comfortably. The results in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh are likely to have an impact on the elections due early next year. For the ruling BJP, it is the final test of its policies before it goes to the voters for another term at the centre. A good performance for the Congress will boost its standing in a possible opposition front to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.