Watch: WION Gravitas, 12th December, 2018

Various exit polls had predicted a close fight in Madhya Pradesh assembly elections. MP was the cynosure of all eyes, mainly because of its size (230 seats). Another reason was the stature Shivraj Singh Chouhan had gained over the years through his disarming style of functioning and his well-crafted low profile. His popularity can be attributed to the creation of a framework for farmers’ growth, the Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao scheme and the laying of a decent road network.

While some had indicated a Congress victory, a confident Chouhan had boasted that his “party would win 165 seats”. Where did he go wrong? Was it the wrong selection of BJP candidates? Was it anti-incumbency? One of the greatest follies of Shivraj was to antagonise the upper castes. His championing of caste-based reservations took the Brahmins,Thakurs and even the minorities (Jains and Sikhs, if not Muslims) away from the BJP. The issue was of reservation in government jobs that angered government employees just the way Digvijaya had invited their wrath with Dalit agenda in 2002-2003. He was also perceived to be a failure in curbing corruption at high places. Not only was VYAPAM a big blot on his government, many other scams such as e-tender scam, and a large number of corrupt officers caught by Lokayukta, created an impression that Chouhan was turning a blind eye to corruption. He had also refused to drop many of his tainted cabinet colleagues. Many party insiders say that most MP leaders and middle-level workers did not really want him to win because he was charting his course alone!&nbsp;

Though it was Chouhan who had given the slogan of “making agriculture a profitable business “ in MP, the Bhavantar scheme was introduced last year at a time when bumper yields of onion, tomatoes and other crops had brought down the rates in the market. The government jumped into the market war and tried to insulate the farmer but the scheme did not really benefit the recipients. Unfortunately for him, all this resulted in the Mandsaur outrage which saw the killing of six farmers.

But BJP’s performance in MP clearly shows that despite 15 years of rule, Chouhan is still a vote-catcher. He had already made history in 2013 winning the state elections with a thumping majority in terms of poll percentage and seats which stood at 44.05 per cent and 165, respectively. Anti-incumbency had set in back then, but with key strategists such as Anil Dave and Arvind Menon, he could become the CM for the third time.

There is no denying the fact that Chouhan had reformed the agriculture sector to a great extent: Bringing down bank loan rates, from 16 per cent to zero per cent, forming a small agriculture cabinet to take speedy decisions, and installing a separate feeder line for electricity. The changes in MSP completed the agri-success story.&nbsp;

While getting awards for agriculture growth, Chouhan did not take his eyes off industrial development or road-building either. If industrial investment’s official figures are to be believed, between 2003, the last year of Congress regime, and 2018, it rose by 2420 per cent pegged at Rs 2 lakh crore. Two very successful industry summits held at Indore in 2012 and 2014 saw major industrial groups vying with each other to set up shop in MP. The state boasts of large solar energy plants in Neemuch near Rajasthan and in Rewa, bordering UP.

When MP formulated industry-friendly policies such as easy land allotment and acquisition procedures and changes in electricity tariffs etc, big industry started making its way into the backward state where road network was extremely bad. The BJP government constructed about 1.50 lakh km of roads.&nbsp;

However, the state was in a mood for change. The BJP high command depended a little too much on Chouhan alone and weaved its entire campaign around him in the absence of any other tall and equally popular leader in the state. Also, the BJP had grossly underestimated the Congress’s strength and preparedness and kept saying that Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia were out of touch with ground realities. On the contrary, Congress had actually worked very meticulously in a short time. PCC chief Nath became the party boss only in April 2018 replacing Arun Yadav, the farmer leader. Scindia, on his part, provided terrific energy to the party campaign and many feel that if he had been made the face of the party, Congress would have won the battle comfortably. 
&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-fight-in-mp-shows-why-chouhan-is-still-in-the-reckoning-2694997">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Various exit polls had predicted a close fight in Madhya Pradesh assembly elections. MP was the cynosure of all eyes, mainly because of its size (230 seats). Another reason was the stature Shivraj Singh Chouhan had gained over the years through his disarming style of functioning and his well-crafted low profile.

Various exit polls had predicted a close fight in Madhya Pradesh assembly elections. MP was the cynosure of all eyes, mainly because of its size (230 seats). Another reason was the stature Shivraj Singh Chouhan had gained over the years through his disarming style of functioning and his well-crafted low profile. His popularity can be attributed to the creation of a framework for farmers’ growth, the Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao scheme and the laying of a decent road network. While some had indicated a Congress victory, a confident Chouhan had boasted that his “party would win 165 seats”. Where did he go wrong? Was it the wrong selection of BJP candidates? Was it anti-incumbency? One of the greatest follies of Shivraj was to antagonise the upper castes. His championing of caste-based reservations took the Brahmins,Thakurs and even the minorities (Jains and Sikhs, if not Muslims) away from the BJP. The issue was of reservation in government jobs that angered government employees just the way Digvijaya had invited their wrath with Dalit agenda in 2002-2003. He was also perceived to be a failure in curbing corruption at high places. Not only was VYAPAM a big blot on his government, many other scams such as e-tender scam, and a large number of corrupt officers caught by Lokayukta, created an impression that Chouhan was turning a blind eye to corruption. He had also refused to drop many of his tainted cabinet colleagues. Many party insiders say that most MP leaders and middle-level workers did not really want him to win because he was charting his course alone! Though it was Chouhan who had given the slogan of “making agriculture a profitable business “ in MP, the Bhavantar scheme was introduced last year at a time when bumper yields of onion, tomatoes and other crops had brought down the rates in the market. The government jumped into the market war and tried to insulate the farmer but the scheme did not really benefit the recipients. Unfortunately for him, all this resulted in the Mandsaur outrage which saw the killing of six farmers. But BJP’s performance in MP clearly shows that despite 15 years of rule, Chouhan is still a vote-catcher. He had already made history in 2013 winning the state elections with a thumping majority in terms of poll percentage and seats which stood at 44.05 per cent and 165, respectively. Anti-incumbency had set in back then, but with key strategists such as Anil Dave and Arvind Menon, he could become the CM for the third time. There is no denying the fact that Chouhan had reformed the agriculture sector to a great extent: Bringing down bank loan rates, from 16 per cent to zero per cent, forming a small agriculture cabinet to take speedy decisions, and installing a separate feeder line for electricity. The changes in MSP completed the agri-success story. While getting awards for agriculture growth, Chouhan did not take his eyes off industrial development or road-building either. If industrial investment’s official figures are to be believed, between 2003, the last year of Congress regime, and 2018, it rose by 2420 per cent pegged at Rs 2 lakh crore. Two very successful industry summits held at Indore in 2012 and 2014 saw major industrial groups vying with each other to set up shop in MP. The state boasts of large solar energy plants in Neemuch near Rajasthan and in Rewa, bordering UP. When MP formulated industry-friendly policies such as easy land allotment and acquisition procedures and changes in electricity tariffs etc, big industry started making its way into the backward state where road network was extremely bad. The BJP government constructed about 1.50 lakh km of roads. However, the state was in a mood for change. The BJP high command depended a little too much on Chouhan alone and weaved its entire campaign around him in the absence of any other tall and equally popular leader in the state. Also, the BJP had grossly underestimated the Congress’s strength and preparedness and kept saying that Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia were out of touch with ground realities. On the contrary, Congress had actually worked very meticulously in a short time. PCC chief Nath became the party boss only in April 2018 replacing Arun Yadav, the farmer leader. Scindia, on his part, provided terrific energy to the party campaign and many feel that if he had been made the face of the party, Congress would have won the battle comfortably. (This article was originally published on DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Assembly election results 2018: Fight in MP shows why Shivraj Singh Chouhan is still in the reckoning

Congress Party has made a come-back. This time the credit for this victory goes to none other than Rahul Gandhi who took over as Congress President a year back.

After a series of defeats and upsets, Rahul Gandhi has earned the victory for himself. Such was the image problem that the&nbsp;win in Punjab was not attributed to the planning he did, instead, the credit went to Captain Amarinder Singh.&nbsp;

This time around it was his campaign style and selection of issues which worked for the party. There was also no Sonia Gandhi around with whom the credit could be shared with.

The results themselves are an eye-opener. It breaks the myth of BJP of turning around lost elections. It also breaks the myth of Congress as a failed party which cannot fight elections against the Modi-Shah regime. The result also breaks the myth of impregnable strength of RSS which had been projected as an organisation that had mastered the dark art of winning elections in India.

This election also saw senior and junior leadership of the Congress fighting elections. But the best surprise came from Chhattisgarh where Congress leadership was non-existent. The Congress sweep in Chhattisgarh shows that electoral turn around can also take place in absence of state leadership if the messaging on key issues remain clear and strong.

Though it does not mean that Congress on its own is set to sweep elections in 2019. Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee after sweeping the three north Indian states in 2003 went on to lose the national elections in 2004.

It is a lesson to BJP that not all elections can be polarised on emotive issues. It is a reminder to them that rural distress and anti-farmer messaging by Congress against BJP can have disastrous results and cannot be ignored.

But Congress should also ponder over two issues. It has not been able to recover ground in Telangana. The arithmetic did not create the right chemistry which could attract the voters. In fact, it shows that the opportunistic alliance does not work at local level and Telangana repeated Uttar Pradesh where SP-Congress alliance failed to counter BJP which it swept handsomely. More so, Congress has been wiped out of Northeast. Probably it is first time after 1952 that Northeast does not a single state under its belt. Northeast has truly become 'Congress Mukt'.&nbsp;

Congress should also learn a lesson from Amit Shah's campaign style which resurrected his party in Rajasthan where political pundits gave clean sweep to the Congress Party. Congress will form the government in the state but it will not be called a sweep.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The victory will allow Rahul Gandhi to assert himself far more powerfully with regional parties to negotiate alliances which would be state specific. The victory also thwarts the idea of 'Grand Alliance' in which Congress would have been the side player.&nbsp;

The victory has given Rahul Gandhi a window right before the Lok Sabha elections to position himself to negotiate a better bargain for the Congress. This time he will be taken more seriously.

BJP, on the other hand, will have to rethink whether they would fight the election on governance issue or an emotive issue like Ayodhya. The clock ticks for both Congress and BJP but as of now, Congress has survived the bout to stay in the ring as a credible challenger for 2019 elections which a year back was being thought a cakewalk for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;

Congress Party has made a come-back. This time the credit for this victory goes to none other than Rahul Gandhi who took over as Congress President a year back. After a series of defeats and upsets, Rahul Gandhi has earned the victory for himself.

Congress Party has made a come-back. This time the credit for this victory goes to none other than Rahul Gandhi who took over as Congress President a year back. After a series of defeats and upsets, Rahul Gandhi has earned the victory for himself. Such was the image problem that the win in Punjab was not attributed to the planning he did, instead, the credit went to Captain Amarinder Singh. This time around it was his campaign style and selection of issues which worked for the party. There was also no Sonia Gandhi around with whom the credit could be shared with. The results themselves are an eye-opener. It breaks the myth of BJP of turning around lost elections. It also breaks the myth of Congress as a failed party which cannot fight elections against the Modi-Shah regime. The result also breaks the myth of impregnable strength of RSS which had been projected as an organisation that had mastered the dark art of winning elections in India. This election also saw senior and junior leadership of the Congress fighting elections. But the best surprise came from Chhattisgarh where Congress leadership was non-existent. The Congress sweep in Chhattisgarh shows that electoral turn around can also take place in absence of state leadership if the messaging on key issues remain clear and strong. Though it does not mean that Congress on its own is set to sweep elections in 2019. Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee after sweeping the three north Indian states in 2003 went on to lose the national elections in 2004. It is a lesson to BJP that not all elections can be polarised on emotive issues. It is a reminder to them that rural distress and anti-farmer messaging by Congress against BJP can have disastrous results and cannot be ignored. But Congress should also ponder over two issues. It has not been able to recover ground in Telangana. The arithmetic did not create the right chemistry which could attract the voters. In fact, it shows that the opportunistic alliance does not work at local level and Telangana repeated Uttar Pradesh where SP-Congress alliance failed to counter BJP which it swept handsomely. More so, Congress has been wiped out of Northeast. Probably it is first time after 1952 that Northeast does not a single state under its belt. Northeast has truly become 'Congress Mukt'. Congress should also learn a lesson from Amit Shah's campaign style which resurrected his party in Rajasthan where political pundits gave clean sweep to the Congress Party. Congress will form the government in the state but it will not be called a sweep. The victory will allow Rahul Gandhi to assert himself far more powerfully with regional parties to negotiate alliances which would be state specific. The victory also thwarts the idea of 'Grand Alliance' in which Congress would have been the side player. The victory has given Rahul Gandhi a window right before the Lok Sabha elections to position himself to negotiate a better bargain for the Congress. This time he will be taken more seriously. BJP, on the other hand, will have to rethink whether they would fight the election on governance issue or an emotive issue like Ayodhya. The clock ticks for both Congress and BJP but as of now, Congress has survived the bout to stay in the ring as a credible challenger for 2019 elections which a year back was being thought a cakewalk for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Rahul Gandhi 2.0: Hand also rises

WION Gravitas: Know how assembly poll results shape 2019 Lok Sabha battle

Outgoing Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Tuesday tendered his resignation to the governor and accepted the mandate of the people of the state. Singh also took the responsibility for the party's loss in the state as the BJP had contested elections under his leadership.&nbsp;

"We respect the mandate that the public has given. I congratulate Congress on this success. I consider it my luck to serve the public of Chhattisgarh for the last 15 years," Singh told reporters.&nbsp;

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Raman Singh, outgoing CM of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Chhattisgarh?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Chhattisgarh</a>: I take the responsibility for this defeat because the poll was contested under my leadership. We will act as a strong Opposition and work for the development of the state. <a href="https://t.co/THZtKnKMhI">https://t.co/THZtKnKMhI</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1072465741105033216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"I take the responsibility for this defeat because the poll was contested under my leadership. We will act as a strong Opposition and work for the development of the state," the outgoing CM added.&nbsp;

The Chhattisgarh Governor Anandiben Patel has accepted the resignation of Raman Singh.

As per the latest Election Commission data, the Congress currently leads in 65 assembly seats while BJP trails with leads in 14 seats.&nbsp;

Meanwhile,&nbsp;the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/imposing-prohibition-on-liquor-repairing-roads-on-agenda-mnf-chief-after-assembly-poll-win-183258">Mizo National Front on Tuesday won the state assembly elections</a> by bagging 26 out of 40 assembly seats. According to the official Election Commission data, Congress managed to bag five seats while the BJP got just one. Independent candidates captured eight assembly seats.

Congress seems to lead in Chhattisgarh with a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/assembly-election-results-2018-live-stakes-high-ahead-of-2019-general-elections-183025">close fight with the BJP in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh</a>. KC Rao's TRS is predicted to have a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/we-are-going-to-play-crucial-role-in-national-politics-kcr-183255">clean sweep in Telangana</a>.&nbsp;

Outgoing Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Tuesday tendered his resignation to the governor and accepted the mandate of the people of the state. Singh also took the responsibility for the party's loss in the state as the BJP had contested elections under his leadership.

Outgoing Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Tuesday tendered his resignation to the governor and accepted the mandate of the people of the state. Singh also took the responsibility for the party's loss in the state as the BJP had contested elections under his leadership. "We respect the mandate that the public has given. I congratulate Congress on this success. I consider it my luck to serve the public of Chhattisgarh for the last 15 years," Singh told reporters. Raman Singh, outgoing CM of #Chhattisgarh: I take the responsibility for this defeat because the poll was contested under my leadership. We will act as a strong Opposition and work for the development of the state. https://t.co/THZtKnKMhI — ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2018 × "I take the responsibility for this defeat because the poll was contested under my leadership. We will act as a strong Opposition and work for the development of the state," the outgoing CM added. The Chhattisgarh Governor Anandiben Patel has accepted the resignation of Raman Singh. As per the latest Election Commission data, the Congress currently leads in 65 assembly seats while BJP trails with leads in 14 seats. Meanwhile, the Mizo National Front on Tuesday won the state assembly elections by bagging 26 out of 40 assembly seats. According to the official Election Commission data, Congress managed to bag five seats while the BJP got just one. Independent candidates captured eight assembly seats. Congress seems to lead in Chhattisgarh with a close fight with the BJP in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. KC Rao's TRS is predicted to have a clean sweep in Telangana.

I take responsibility for this defeat, will forge strong opposition for state's development: Raman Singh 

As BJP loses key bastions in state polls, a look at party's prospects in 2019 elections

Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Kamal Nath wrote to Governor Anandiben Patel late on Tuesday night, staking claim to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/assembly-election-results-no-party-gets-clear-mandate-in-madhya-pradesh-polls-183370">form the government </a>in the state, a party spokesperson said.

The party claimed it has the support of the independent candidates also.

"The Congress party has emerged as the single largest party with a majority support. All the independents have in addition assured support to the Congress party," the letter said.

"As the president of Pradesh Congress Committee, I seek an appointment with your Excellency late tonight, as soon as the results are officially declared along with my senior leaders to apprise you and seek your permission to form the government in the state of Madhya Pradesh," Nath said in the letter.

Congress party has emerged the largest party in the state with 114 seats, which is two short of the majority.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won 109 seats. The Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has won two seats.&nbsp;

The Samajwadi Party (SP) has won one seat and Independent candidates have won four.

The BJP gave a close fight to Congress despite a strong anti-incumbency against Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who was looking for a record fourth term.&nbsp;

Sensing victory, the Congress has begun contacting leaders of small parties and also independents for mustering a simple majority, party sources said on Tuesday.

Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Kamal Nath wrote to Governor Anandiben Patel late on Tuesday night, staking claim to form the government in the state, a party spokesperson said.

Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Kamal Nath wrote to Governor Anandiben Patel late on Tuesday night, staking claim to form the government in the state, a party spokesperson said. The party claimed it has the support of the independent candidates also. "The Congress party has emerged as the single largest party with a majority support. All the independents have in addition assured support to the Congress party," the letter said. "As the president of Pradesh Congress Committee, I seek an appointment with your Excellency late tonight, as soon as the results are officially declared along with my senior leaders to apprise you and seek your permission to form the government in the state of Madhya Pradesh," Nath said in the letter. Congress party has emerged the largest party in the state with 114 seats, which is two short of the majority. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won 109 seats. The Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has won two seats. The Samajwadi Party (SP) has won one seat and Independent candidates have won four. The BJP gave a close fight to Congress despite a strong anti-incumbency against Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who was looking for a record fourth term. Sensing victory, the Congress has begun contacting leaders of small parties and also independents for mustering a simple majority, party sources said on Tuesday.

Congress stakes claim to form govt in Madhya Pradesh, Kamal Nath writes to governor

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated the Congress, Telangana's K Chandrashekar Rao and the Mizo National Front for their victories in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/assembly-election-results-2018-live-stakes-high-ahead-of-2019-general-elections-183025">Assembly elections.</a>

PM Modi, in a series of tweets, thanked party workers and said that "we (BJP) accept the people's mandate with humility."

"We accept the people’s mandate with humility. I thank the people of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan for giving us the opportunity to serve these states. The BJP Governments in these states worked tirelessly for the welfare of the people," tweeted PM Narendra Modi.

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We accept the people’s mandate with humility. 
 
I thank the people of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan for giving us the opportunity to serve these states. The BJP Governments in these states worked tirelessly for the welfare of the people.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1072526642357198849?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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He also wrote party worker and other parties on Twitter: “The family of BJP Karyakartas worked day and night for the state elections. I salute them for their hard work. Victory and defeat are an integral part of life. Today’s results will further our resolve to serve people and work even harder for the development of India. Congratulations to the Congress for their victories. Congratulations to KCR Garu for the thumping win in Telangana and to the Mizo National Front (MNF) for their impressive victory in Mizoram.”

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The family of BJP Karyakartas worked day and night for the state elections. I salute them for their hardwork. 
 
Victory and defeat are an integral part of life. 
 
Today’s results will further our resolve to serve people and work even harder for the development of India.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1072528590443610112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Congratulations to the Congress for their victories. 
 
Congratulations to KCR Garu for the thumping win in Telangana and to the Mizo National Front (MNF) for their impressive victory in Mizoram.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1072527036181303298?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Yesterday, Rahul Gandhi addressed a press conference sometime back saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had "failed to listen to the heartbeat of the nation."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated the Congress, Telangana's K Chandrashekar Rao and the Mizo National Front for their victories in Assembly elections.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated the Congress, Telangana's K Chandrashekar Rao and the Mizo National Front for their victories in Assembly elections. PM Modi, in a series of tweets, thanked party workers and said that "we (BJP) accept the people's mandate with humility." "We accept the people’s mandate with humility. I thank the people of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan for giving us the opportunity to serve these states. The BJP Governments in these states worked tirelessly for the welfare of the people," tweeted PM Narendra Modi. We accept the people’s mandate with humility. I thank the people of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan for giving us the opportunity to serve these states. The BJP Governments in these states worked tirelessly for the welfare of the people. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 11, 2018 × He also wrote party worker and other parties on Twitter: “The family of BJP Karyakartas worked day and night for the state elections. I salute them for their hard work. Victory and defeat are an integral part of life. Today’s results will further our resolve to serve people and work even harder for the development of India. Congratulations to the Congress for their victories. Congratulations to KCR Garu for the thumping win in Telangana and to the Mizo National Front (MNF) for their impressive victory in Mizoram.” The family of BJP Karyakartas worked day and night for the state elections. I salute them for their hardwork. Victory and defeat are an integral part of life. Today’s results will further our resolve to serve people and work even harder for the development of India. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 11, 2018 × Congratulations to the Congress for their victories. Congratulations to KCR Garu for the thumping win in Telangana and to the Mizo National Front (MNF) for their impressive victory in Mizoram. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 11, 2018 × Yesterday, Rahul Gandhi addressed a press conference sometime back saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had "failed to listen to the heartbeat of the nation."

'We accept the people’s mandate with humility,' says PM Narendra Modi

The Congress was poised on Wednesday to form governments in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh, signalling a newfound energy in the party ranks and energising opposition efforts to stop the BJP juggernaut before general elections next year.&nbsp;

Belying predictions of exit polls, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/it-is-time-for-change-rahul-gandhi-after-poll-results-183326">the Congress won convincingly in Chattisgarh</a>, less so in Rajasthan, and scraped through with a wafer-thin lead in Madhya Pradesh, final results showed after the vote count on Tuesday.&nbsp;

All eyes now were on party president Rahul Gandhi's choice of chief ministers of the three states, which he will decide after the victorious MLAs finish their meetings in the three states.&nbsp;

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A one-line proposal has been passed at the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting in Bhopal. The High Command will take a decision on the Chief Minister face. <a href="https://t.co/Md3l3WMzz2">https://t.co/Md3l3WMzz2</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1072828129268432898?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi described the party's good showing in the Hindi heartland states as a victory over the BJP's "negative politics".

It was a "Congress victory over the BJP's negative politics," she said.

In Rajasthan, the contenders for the chief minister's post are Pradesh Congress Committee president Sachin Pilot and former chief minister Ashok Gehlot, both of whom won huge victories in their constituencies.&nbsp;

"We have full majority and will stake claim to form government in the evening. We will take along all non-BJP parties and elected members who are against BJP and are willing to support us," Pilot told reporters at the Pradesh&nbsp;Congress Committee before the Congress Legislative Party meeting.

Asked about the choice of the chief minister, Pilot said the party's newly elected MLAs will debate the question, and the party president will take a decision after that. AICC General Secretary Avinash Pande and party's observer KC Venugopal will seek individual opinion of the party MLAs in the meeting.

The Congress emerged as the single-largest party in Rajasthan in Tuesday's vote count, winning 99 seats. It's ally Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) won one seat for a total of 100 seats -- the required number to form government.

The BJP got 73 seats, and the Bahujan Samaj Party won 6 seats. BSP leader Mayawati on Wednesday pledged support for the Congress. The CPI(M) got two seats, Independents won 13 and other parties got 6, according to the state Election Commission.&nbsp;

In Chattisgarh, the contenders for the CM post are Lok Sabha member Tamradhwaj Sahu, who successfully contested the Assembly election from Durg Rural seat, state party chief Bhupesh Baghel and senior leader TS Singhdeo.

The Congress victory in Chhattisgarh ended the 15-year rule of the Raman Singh-led Bharatiya Janata Party government. It won 68 seats in the 90-member Assembly, while the BJP got only 15 seats.

A party needs to win 46 seats to form government in the state.

"The Congress Legislature Party meeting will be held at 8 pm. All India Congress Committee's observer Mallikarjun&nbsp; 
Kharge, AICC in-charge for the state P L Punia and other senior leaders will be present there," state party unit's general secretary Shailesh Nitin Trivedi told PTI.

The chief minister is likely to be announced after the meeting.

The Congress got 43 per cent of the total votes polled in the state, while the BJP got 33 per cent.&nbsp;

After a see-saw battle on Tuesday, Congress emerged as the single largest party in Madhya Pradesh with 114 seats, two short of a simple majority. The BJP, which had ruled the state for 15 years, got 109 seats.

Three-time Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhhan tendered his resignation on Wednesday to Governor Anandiben Patel, who then met a Congress delegation here at noon after party leaders staked claim on the government.

Mayawati and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav announced their parties' support to the Congress in Madhya Pradesh. BSP got two and SP one seat in the MP Assembly polls.

Congress has also claimed support of the four independents, all Congress rebels, who emerged victorious. 
After meeting the Governor, senior Congress leaders Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia came out of the Raj Bhavan and flashed victory signs.&nbsp;

In Mumbai, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said the Assembly election results mark the "beginning of a change" and a "rejection" of the BJP-led government's policies.

Pawar, who turned 78 on Wednesday, said his party would support the Congress and also suggested the SP and the BSP throw their weight behind Congress.

Referring to the constant criticism of Rahul Gandhi by the BJP, the former Union minister said people did not like the Congress president being "ridiculed".

"People have expressed disappointment against the Modi government... The Assembly poll results mark the beginning of a change... People rejected the anti-farmers, anti-traders policies of Modi," Pawar told reporters here.

The Shiv Sena, an ally of the BJP at the Centre and in Maharashtra, said people have brought "those flying in the air back to the ground".

In an editorial in the party mouthpiece 'Saamana', the party alleged that the country was being run according to the "whims" of four-five businessmen, and this was "breaking" important institutions like the Reserve Bank of India.

The BJP first "drove away" allies and later lost important states, it said, adding that elections cannot be won merely on the back of big talks.

"The results clearly show that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and (BJP president) Amit Shah's dream of making the country Congress-mukt has gone to the dust in BJP's own regime. People of these states have indicated at a 'BJP-mukt' regime," the Marathi publication said.&nbsp;

The Congress was poised on Wednesday to form governments in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh, signalling a newfound energy in the party ranks and energising opposition efforts to stop the BJP juggernaut before general elections next year.

The Congress was poised on Wednesday to form governments in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh, signalling a newfound energy in the party ranks and energising opposition efforts to stop the BJP juggernaut before general elections next year. Belying predictions of exit polls, the Congress won convincingly in Chattisgarh, less so in Rajasthan, and scraped through with a wafer-thin lead in Madhya Pradesh, final results showed after the vote count on Tuesday. All eyes now were on party president Rahul Gandhi's choice of chief ministers of the three states, which he will decide after the victorious MLAs finish their meetings in the three states. A one-line proposal has been passed at the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting in Bhopal. The High Command will take a decision on the Chief Minister face. https://t.co/Md3l3WMzz2 — ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2018 × Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi described the party's good showing in the Hindi heartland states as a victory over the BJP's "negative politics". It was a "Congress victory over the BJP's negative politics," she said. In Rajasthan, the contenders for the chief minister's post are Pradesh Congress Committee president Sachin Pilot and former chief minister Ashok Gehlot, both of whom won huge victories in their constituencies. "We have full majority and will stake claim to form government in the evening. We will take along all non-BJP parties and elected members who are against BJP and are willing to support us," Pilot told reporters at the Pradesh Congress Committee before the Congress Legislative Party meeting. Asked about the choice of the chief minister, Pilot said the party's newly elected MLAs will debate the question, and the party president will take a decision after that. AICC General Secretary Avinash Pande and party's observer KC Venugopal will seek individual opinion of the party MLAs in the meeting. The Congress emerged as the single-largest party in Rajasthan in Tuesday's vote count, winning 99 seats. It's ally Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) won one seat for a total of 100 seats -- the required number to form government. The BJP got 73 seats, and the Bahujan Samaj Party won 6 seats. BSP leader Mayawati on Wednesday pledged support for the Congress. The CPI(M) got two seats, Independents won 13 and other parties got 6, according to the state Election Commission. In Chattisgarh, the contenders for the CM post are Lok Sabha member Tamradhwaj Sahu, who successfully contested the Assembly election from Durg Rural seat, state party chief Bhupesh Baghel and senior leader TS Singhdeo. The Congress victory in Chhattisgarh ended the 15-year rule of the Raman Singh-led Bharatiya Janata Party government. It won 68 seats in the 90-member Assembly, while the BJP got only 15 seats. A party needs to win 46 seats to form government in the state. "The Congress Legislature Party meeting will be held at 8 pm. All India Congress Committee's observer Mallikarjun Kharge, AICC in-charge for the state P L Punia and other senior leaders will be present there," state party unit's general secretary Shailesh Nitin Trivedi told PTI. The chief minister is likely to be announced after the meeting. The Congress got 43 per cent of the total votes polled in the state, while the BJP got 33 per cent. After a see-saw battle on Tuesday, Congress emerged as the single largest party in Madhya Pradesh with 114 seats, two short of a simple majority. The BJP, which had ruled the state for 15 years, got 109 seats. Three-time Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhhan tendered his resignation on Wednesday to Governor Anandiben Patel, who then met a Congress delegation here at noon after party leaders staked claim on the government. Mayawati and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav announced their parties' support to the Congress in Madhya Pradesh. BSP got two and SP one seat in the MP Assembly polls. Congress has also claimed support of the four independents, all Congress rebels, who emerged victorious. After meeting the Governor, senior Congress leaders Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia came out of the Raj Bhavan and flashed victory signs. In Mumbai, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said the Assembly election results mark the "beginning of a change" and a "rejection" of the BJP-led government's policies. Pawar, who turned 78 on Wednesday, said his party would support the Congress and also suggested the SP and the BSP throw their weight behind Congress. Referring to the constant criticism of Rahul Gandhi by the BJP, the former Union minister said people did not like the Congress president being "ridiculed". "People have expressed disappointment against the Modi government... The Assembly poll results mark the beginning of a change... People rejected the anti-farmers, anti-traders policies of Modi," Pawar told reporters here. The Shiv Sena, an ally of the BJP at the Centre and in Maharashtra, said people have brought "those flying in the air back to the ground". In an editorial in the party mouthpiece 'Saamana', the party alleged that the country was being run according to the "whims" of four-five businessmen, and this was "breaking" important institutions like the Reserve Bank of India. The BJP first "drove away" allies and later lost important states, it said, adding that elections cannot be won merely on the back of big talks. "The results clearly show that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and (BJP president) Amit Shah's dream of making the country Congress-mukt has gone to the dust in BJP's own regime. People of these states have indicated at a 'BJP-mukt' regime," the Marathi publication said.

All eyes now on whom Rahul Gandhi will choose as his chief ministers

The BSP and SP chiefs Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav have said they <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/it-is-time-for-change-rahul-gandhi-after-poll-results-183326">will help the Congress form governments</a> in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.&nbsp;

"To keep BJP out of power we have agreed to support Congress in Madhya Pradesh and if need be in Rajasthan, even though we don't agree with many of their policies," said Mayawati.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: "To keep BJP out of power we have agreed to support Congress in Madhya Pradesh and if need be in Rajasthan, even though we don't agree with many of their policies,"says Mayawati, BSP <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AssemblyElections2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AssemblyElections2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/1gr6RFRZHO">pic.twitter.com/1gr6RFRZHO</a>
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"We welcome the mandate. We didn't perform well but we would like to thank the public of Madhya Pradesh for supporting us. We have decided to support Congress in MP. BJP has spread hatred and deceived public, they will be given an answer in LS elections," said Akhilesh.&nbsp;

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Akhilesh Yadav, former UP CM: We welcome the mandate. We didn't perform well but we would like to thank the public of Madhya Pradesh for supporting us. We have decided to support Congress in MP. BJP has spread hatred&amp;deceived public, they will be given an answer in LS elections. <a href="https://t.co/OzFGshIwBd">pic.twitter.com/OzFGshIwBd</a>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1072781826819846144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The Congress won 114 seats in Madhya Pradesh, two short of the halfway mark. The BSP won two, and the SP one.&nbsp;

The Congress won 99 seats in Rajasthan, one short of the majority mark. The BSP won 6.&nbsp;

Late on Tuesday evening, as the results seemed to show the Congress would fall just short of the majority mark in MP and Rajasthan, Congress president Rahul Gandhi had said his party had reached out to the two UP leaders.&nbsp;

The BSP and SP chiefs Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav have said they will help the Congress form governments in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. "To keep BJP out of power we have agreed to support Congress in Madhya Pradesh and if need be in Rajasthan, even though we don't agree with many of their policies," said Mayawati.

The BSP and SP chiefs Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav have said they will help the Congress form governments in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. "To keep BJP out of power we have agreed to support Congress in Madhya Pradesh and if need be in Rajasthan, even though we don't agree with many of their policies," said Mayawati. #WATCH: "To keep BJP out of power we have agreed to support Congress in Madhya Pradesh and if need be in Rajasthan, even though we don't agree with many of their policies,"says Mayawati, BSP #AssemblyElections2018 pic.twitter.com/1gr6RFRZHO — ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2018 × "We welcome the mandate. We didn't perform well but we would like to thank the public of Madhya Pradesh for supporting us. We have decided to support Congress in MP. BJP has spread hatred and deceived public, they will be given an answer in LS elections," said Akhilesh. Akhilesh Yadav, former UP CM: We welcome the mandate. We didn't perform well but we would like to thank the public of Madhya Pradesh for supporting us. We have decided to support Congress in MP. BJP has spread hatred&deceived public, they will be given an answer in LS elections. pic.twitter.com/OzFGshIwBd — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 12, 2018 × The Congress won 114 seats in Madhya Pradesh, two short of the halfway mark. The BSP won two, and the SP one. The Congress won 99 seats in Rajasthan, one short of the majority mark. The BSP won 6. Late on Tuesday evening, as the results seemed to show the Congress would fall just short of the majority mark in MP and Rajasthan, Congress president Rahul Gandhi had said his party had reached out to the two UP leaders.

Mayawati says will support Congress in MP & Rajasthan, Akhilesh says he will in former

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/assembly-election-results-no-party-gets-clear-mandate-in-madhya-pradesh-polls-183370">Congress </a>has emerged as the single-largest party in Rajasthan, winning 99 seats, while the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/modis-bjp-faces-losses-in-key-states-ahead-of-2019-elections-know-2019-poll-projection-for-bjp-183351">BJP got 73</a>, the State Election Commission Office said Wednesday.

The Bahujan Samaj Party won 6 seats, CPI(M) 2, Independents 13 and other parties got 6, according to the state Election Commission's website.

The Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), an ally of the Congress, won one seat.&nbsp;

Together, they have 100 seats — which is the required number to form the government in the state.

Voting was held in 199 of the 200 seats in the state on December 7.&nbsp;

Election to Alwar's Ramgarh constituency was countermanded due to the death of the BSP candidate. The votes were counted on Tuesday.

In 2013, the BJP won 163 seats and the Congress 21.

The focus in Rajasthan is now on who would be the Congress choice for chief minister between two-time CM Ashok Gehlot and the party's state unit president Sachin Pilot.

The newly elected Congress legislators will meet Wednesday to discuss this.The All India Congress Committee has sent K C Venugopal as an observer.

Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje submitted her resignation to Governor Kalyan Singh on Tuesday.

The Congress has emerged as the single-largest party in Rajasthan, winning 99 seats, while the BJP got 73, the State Election Commission Office said Wednesday. The Bahujan Samaj Party won 6 seats, CPI(M) 2, Independents 13 and other parties got 6, according to the state Election Commission's website.

The Congress has emerged as the single-largest party in Rajasthan, winning 99 seats, while the BJP got 73, the State Election Commission Office said Wednesday. The Bahujan Samaj Party won 6 seats, CPI(M) 2, Independents 13 and other parties got 6, according to the state Election Commission's website. The Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), an ally of the Congress, won one seat. Together, they have 100 seats — which is the required number to form the government in the state. Voting was held in 199 of the 200 seats in the state on December 7. Election to Alwar's Ramgarh constituency was countermanded due to the death of the BSP candidate. The votes were counted on Tuesday. In 2013, the BJP won 163 seats and the Congress 21. The focus in Rajasthan is now on who would be the Congress choice for chief minister between two-time CM Ashok Gehlot and the party's state unit president Sachin Pilot. The newly elected Congress legislators will meet Wednesday to discuss this.The All India Congress Committee has sent K C Venugopal as an observer. Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje submitted her resignation to Governor Kalyan Singh on Tuesday.

Rajasthan election results: Congress emerges single-largest party with 99 seats

Three-time <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/assembly-election-results-no-party-gets-clear-mandate-in-madhya-pradesh-polls-183370">Madhya Pradesh </a>Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Wednesday announced his resignation and said the BJP will not stake claim to form the government in the state.

The Congress emerged as the single largest party in the state by winning 114 seats, two short of a simple majority.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which ruled the state for 15 years, got 109 seats.

However, it edged ahead of the Congress in the vote share by a slender margin, bagging 41 per cent of the total votes polled, while the Congress got 40.9 per cent.

"We have got more votes, but we will respect the mandate. We haven't got the required seats to form the government. We will not stake claim to form the government and I am submitting my resignation soon to the governor," Chouhan told reporters.

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Shivraj Singh Chouhan: Ab mein mukt hoon, I am free. I have tendered my resignation to the honourable Governor. The responsibility of defeat is totally mine. I have congratulated Kamal Nath ji <a href="https://t.co/Zuek1cSGGa">pic.twitter.com/Zuek1cSGGa</a>
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Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav have announced their parties' support to the Congress in Madhya Pradesh.

Chouhan was the state's longest-serving chief minister since 2005.&nbsp;

Three-time Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Wednesday announced his resignation and said the BJP will not stake claim to form the government in the state.

Three-time Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Wednesday announced his resignation and said the BJP will not stake claim to form the government in the state. The Congress emerged as the single largest party in the state by winning 114 seats, two short of a simple majority. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which ruled the state for 15 years, got 109 seats. However, it edged ahead of the Congress in the vote share by a slender margin, bagging 41 per cent of the total votes polled, while the Congress got 40.9 per cent. "We have got more votes, but we will respect the mandate. We haven't got the required seats to form the government. We will not stake claim to form the government and I am submitting my resignation soon to the governor," Chouhan told reporters. Shivraj Singh Chouhan: Ab mein mukt hoon, I am free. I have tendered my resignation to the honourable Governor. The responsibility of defeat is totally mine. I have congratulated Kamal Nath ji pic.twitter.com/Zuek1cSGGa — ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2018 × Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav have announced their parties' support to the Congress in Madhya Pradesh. Chouhan was the state's longest-serving chief minister since 2005.

Now I'm free, won't stake claim to form govt: Shivraj Chouhan after resigning

Confident of a Congress government In Rajasthan: Ashok Gehlot

Ashwani Kumar shares his views on early election result trends

Trends swing like pendulum in Madhya Pradesh as Congress, BJP fight it out

With election trends showing reverses for the BJP, senior party leader and Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said the polls were fought on the basis of the performance of state governments, rejecting the notion that the results would be a reflection of the Modi government.

He also pointed out the Congress-led grand alliance was heading to a "huge defeat" in Telangana, where the TRS appears set to retain to power with a big majority.

Talking to reporters outside Parliament, he also offered his congratulations to all the winning parties and candidates.

As per trends, the Congress was comfortable ahead of the ruling BJP in Chhattisgarh and has an edge over it in Rajasthan. Both parties were locked in a neck and neck race in Madhya Pradesh while the Congress appeared to be losing power in Mizoram to Mizo National Front.

With election trends showing reverses for the BJP, senior party leader and Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said the polls were fought on the basis of the performance of state governments, rejecting the notion that the results would be a reflection of the Modi government.

With election trends showing reverses for the BJP, senior party leader and Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said the polls were fought on the basis of the performance of state governments, rejecting the notion that the results would be a reflection of the Modi government. He also pointed out the Congress-led grand alliance was heading to a "huge defeat" in Telangana, where the TRS appears set to retain to power with a big majority. Talking to reporters outside Parliament, he also offered his congratulations to all the winning parties and candidates. As per trends, the Congress was comfortable ahead of the ruling BJP in Chhattisgarh and has an edge over it in Rajasthan. Both parties were locked in a neck and neck race in Madhya Pradesh while the Congress appeared to be losing power in Mizoram to Mizo National Front.

Polls were fought on state governments' performance: Rajnath Singh

"People will vote to end corrupt BJP politics", Shobha Oza

Confident that we will win, claims BJP leaders on poll result trends

Markets bleeds red as RBI Governor Urjit Patel steps down, election results

Congress took an early lead in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh with neck-and-neck battle in Madhya Pradesh between the Congress and the BJP in the five-state polls on Tuesday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/assembly-election-results-2018-live-stakes-high-ahead-of-2019-general-elections-183025">Also Read: Assembly poll results live</a>

KCR-led TRS is set to sweep Telengana leading in 91 seats leaving the Congress and its allies far behind with 22 seats in the 119-member assembly.

After over&nbsp;four hours since the ballot boxes were opened, Congress took a decisive lead in Chhattisgarh bouncing ahead in 61 seats with the BJP leading far behind in 19&nbsp;seats in the&nbsp;90-member state assembly.&nbsp;Ajit Jogi's JCC and Mayawati combine were leading in seven seats with Independents leading in a solitary seat.

Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's Madhya Pradesh is locked in a tight race with the BJP and Congress changing hands as votes are being counted.

The Mizo National Front(MNF) in Mizoram easily crossed the half-way mark in the 40-member House with the party ahead in 26 seats with Congress leading in 9 seats and BJP leading in 1 seat. The Independents were ahead in 4 seats in the state.

In a major upset, Mizoram chief minister Lal Thanhawla was defeated by MNF's T J Lalnuntluanga in Champhai South.

Congress and BJP are involved in a&nbsp;keen tussle in Rajasthan with the Opposition Congress leading in the state in 94 seats and the BJP ahead in 81 seats in the 199-member assembly.

"People have blessed us. We should get a comfortable majority in Rajasthan," Sachin Pilot said with leads indicating his lead in Tonk assembly constituency.

"We are confident that the Congress will get a clear majority and will for its government in Rajasthan," Gehlot added as the BJP and Congress continued to battle in the state.

Congress took an early lead in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh with neck-and-neck battle in Madhya Pradesh between the Congress and the BJP in the five-state polls on Tuesday.

Congress took an early lead in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh with neck-and-neck battle in Madhya Pradesh between the Congress and the BJP in the five-state polls on Tuesday. Also Read: Assembly poll results live KCR-led TRS is set to sweep Telengana leading in 91 seats leaving the Congress and its allies far behind with 22 seats in the 119-member assembly. After over four hours since the ballot boxes were opened, Congress took a decisive lead in Chhattisgarh bouncing ahead in 61 seats with the BJP leading far behind in 19 seats in the 90-member state assembly. Ajit Jogi's JCC and Mayawati combine were leading in seven seats with Independents leading in a solitary seat. Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's Madhya Pradesh is locked in a tight race with the BJP and Congress changing hands as votes are being counted. The Mizo National Front(MNF) in Mizoram easily crossed the half-way mark in the 40-member House with the party ahead in 26 seats with Congress leading in 9 seats and BJP leading in 1 seat. The Independents were ahead in 4 seats in the state. In a major upset, Mizoram chief minister Lal Thanhawla was defeated by MNF's T J Lalnuntluanga in Champhai South. Congress and BJP are involved in a keen tussle in Rajasthan with the Opposition Congress leading in the state in 94 seats and the BJP ahead in 81 seats in the 199-member assembly. "People have blessed us. We should get a comfortable majority in Rajasthan," Sachin Pilot said with leads indicating his lead in Tonk assembly constituency. "We are confident that the Congress will get a clear majority and will for its government in Rajasthan," Gehlot added as the BJP and Congress continued to battle in the state.

Assembly polls: Congress, BJP tussle in Madhya Pradesh; MNF set to sweep Mizoram

Election results: A quick look at the trends right now

Assembly Elections 2018: What's at stake for Rahul Gandhi?

Indian Elections: Vote count begins

Results of five states will determine course of 2019 elections, says Rahul Gandhi

Raman Singh confident BJP will form government in Chhattisgarh

Assembly Election 2018: Expect a photo finish in Chhattisgarh

By the end of the day, the results of Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Rajasthan and Telangana will be known. With that, we would know how many states the BJP retained in the Hindi hinterland,&nbsp;and if Congress retained its last bastion in the northeast and also whether TRS managed to hold on to the newly carved Telangana or not.

These elections have been billed as the ‘semifinal’ to the Lok Sabha elections in 2019 and they may well be that. If the results are clearly in favour of the Congress, we would be able to safely say that Congress has made a strong comeback after being routed in many elections since 2014.

If, however, the BJP manages to retain even two out of the three states it presently rules, it would mean trouble for Congress and a body blow to its chances in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The third scenario is that the verdicts in these states are split, which is quite possible given that there is massive anti-incumbency against the BJP.

If results are in favour of the Congress, it would mean its president Rahul Gandhi has finally delivered and could be given the sobriquet of ‘Pappu pass ho gaya’ by his adversaries. For the BJP, the invincibility of Modi-Shah, which has been taking a hit since Gujarat elections, would finally be shattered for all concerned. &nbsp;

However, one factor which will remain unchanged at the end of the day is the renewed campaign by the VHP for the construction of the Ram temple. Whether or not the BJP triumphs today, the Sangh Parivar has made up its mind to up the ante on this issue and has been making categorical demands to the BJP-led central government to bring in an Ordinance or a legislation to build a ‘grand Ram Temple’ at the disputed site in Ayodhya. &nbsp;

Political observers have been speculating that the BJP is unlikely to repeat its performance of 272 seats in the Lok Sabha in 2019, and that to retain its core constituency, the party has to fall back on its reliable agenda of Ram Temple and minority appeasement by parties like the Congress. Moreover, the demand for a legislation for Ram Temple is likely to put the Congress in a tough spot as it can hardly afford to be seen as either opposing it or overtly supporting it.&nbsp; 
 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

By the end of the day, the results of Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Rajasthan and Telangana will be known. With that, we would know how many states the BJP retained in the Hindi hinterland, and if Congress retained its last bastion in the northeast and also whether TRS managed to hold on to the newly carved Telangana or not.

By the end of the day, the results of Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Rajasthan and Telangana will be known. With that, we would know how many states the BJP retained in the Hindi hinterland, and if Congress retained its last bastion in the northeast and also whether TRS managed to hold on to the newly carved Telangana or not. These elections have been billed as the ‘semifinal’ to the Lok Sabha elections in 2019 and they may well be that. If the results are clearly in favour of the Congress, we would be able to safely say that Congress has made a strong comeback after being routed in many elections since 2014. If, however, the BJP manages to retain even two out of the three states it presently rules, it would mean trouble for Congress and a body blow to its chances in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The third scenario is that the verdicts in these states are split, which is quite possible given that there is massive anti-incumbency against the BJP. If results are in favour of the Congress, it would mean its president Rahul Gandhi has finally delivered and could be given the sobriquet of ‘Pappu pass ho gaya’ by his adversaries. For the BJP, the invincibility of Modi-Shah, which has been taking a hit since Gujarat elections, would finally be shattered for all concerned. However, one factor which will remain unchanged at the end of the day is the renewed campaign by the VHP for the construction of the Ram temple. Whether or not the BJP triumphs today, the Sangh Parivar has made up its mind to up the ante on this issue and has been making categorical demands to the BJP-led central government to bring in an Ordinance or a legislation to build a ‘grand Ram Temple’ at the disputed site in Ayodhya. Political observers have been speculating that the BJP is unlikely to repeat its performance of 272 seats in the Lok Sabha in 2019, and that to retain its core constituency, the party has to fall back on its reliable agenda of Ram Temple and minority appeasement by parties like the Congress. Moreover, the demand for a legislation for Ram Temple is likely to put the Congress in a tough spot as it can hardly afford to be seen as either opposing it or overtly supporting it. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Assembly elections 2018: No matter who triumphs, demand for Ram temple unlikely to die down

TRS chief <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kcr-an-obscure-congress-foot-soldier-who-became-mascot-of-telangana-pride-183273">K Chandrasekhar Rao</a>, who led his party to a two-thirds majority in the December 7 assembly elections in Telangana, will be formally elected leader of the legislature party Wednesday, party sources said.

A meeting of the legislature party has been convened at 11.30 AM here Wednesday, the sources said.

Asked when Rao would be sworn in as Chief Minister, a senior TRS leader told PTI: "Tomorrow, he (Rao) will take a call on that.

It (swearing-in) will definitely happen before December 15... After the 15th it's not auspicious".

Meanwhile, Rao met the Governor E S L Narasimhan at the Raj Bhavan Tuesday to stake his claim to form the government for a second time.

Rao had dissolved the Assembly in September eight months ahead of schedule in a political gamble that paid off handsomely in the elections, with his party the TRS decimating its rivals, winning 84 of the 119 seats in the assembly.

The Congress won 18, while the Asadudding Owaisi led AIMIM, which supported TRS, bagged seven. The BJP won just one seat.

K Chandrasekhar Rao, 64, who emerged as the mascot of Telangana pride when he led the massive movement that convulsed undivided Andhra Pradesh and ended with the creation of the youngest state of the country in 2014, powered his party winning 82 seats in the 119-member assembly. Its candidates are leading in six places, sources in the state office of the state's chief electoral officer said.

Rao himself won by a margin of over 51,000 votes from his Gajwel seat, trouncing V Pratap Reddy of the Congress.

Rao's son K T Rama Rao and nephew T Harish Rao, both ministers in his caretaker government, also won by impressive margins.

The newly elected lawmakers of the TRS are meeting here at 11.30 am on Wednesday to formally elect Rao as the leader of the legislature party. A TRS leader said the date for his swearing-in will be finalised at the meeting.

The 'Praja Kutami' (People's Front), a 4-party opposition alliance led by the Congress that included Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's TDP, CPI and the newly formed Telangana Jana Samiti, cut a sorry figure together winning 21 seats.

The Congress had just 19 seats in its kitty, two less that what it won in the last polls, while the TDP could win only two against its tally of 15 seats in 2014. The two other coalition partners failed to open their account.

Telangana was the only state among the five where results of assembly polls were declared Tuesday that the Congress had cobbled together a coalition amid the talk of formation of a broad-based alliance to take on the BJP-led NDA in the Lok Sabha polls next year.

Buoyed by a string of electoral successes in assembly elections, the BJP ploughed a lonely furrow after the TDP walked out of the NDA a few months ago. However, the TRS juggernaut put paid to all hopes the saffron party might have had of making inroads into Rao's citadel.

The BJP, which had won five seats in the last assembly polls in 2014 held in undivided Andhra Pradesh that it contested in alliance with the TDP, had to be content with just one seat out of the 118 where its candidates tried their luck. Its state chief and sitting MLA K Laxman finished a poor third in Musheerabad.

Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM, which Rao calls a "friendly party", has won five seats and its nominees are leading in two places.

"We are going to play a very crucial role in national politics...We will show...We will give a new definition to the national political scenario," a triumphant Rao told a press conference.

"Today's results...Telangana has shown the way to the whole nation. Today, Telangana stands (as) a non-Congress, non-BJP state," Rao, who has lobbied with leaders of other major regional parties, including TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, to pitch for a federal front against the two national parties, said.

Dedicating his party's resounding victory to the people of Telangana, Rao said an action plan for development will be prepared to meet the aspirations of people.

The emphatic victory of the TRS might well act as a springboard for the leader who harbours the ambition of playing a greater role in national politics.

Though Telangana came into existence more than four years ago, TRS supremo brought alive the issue of 'Telangana pride' by repeatedly targeting his former boss and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, accusing him of stalling the development of Telangana and calling him an outsider.

His appeal to regional sentiments appeared to have helped the TRS keep the Congress, which made huge gains in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, under check in Telangana as it had aligned with the TDP, a party Rao accused of acting against his state's interests.

Rao's populist schemes, including waiver of farm loans totalling over Rs 17,000 crore and implementation of 'Ryuthu Bandu', a farmers investment support scheme that gave tillers Rs 8,000 per annum per acre also seemed to have endeared him to the sizeable farming community.

Despite his aggressive posturing during the Telangana movement, Rao ensured there was no persecution of those from Andhra Pradesh after its bifurcation, something that ostensibly helped him secure votes of many people from the neighbouring state.

Rao's repeated criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "thwarting" the TRS government's efforts for raising quotas for Muslims and Scheduled Tribes in government jobs and state-run educational institutions during the campaign also apparently helped the party garner support of these sections.

Asaduddin Owaisi, who of late has emerged as one of the most prominent Muslim voices, openly backed the TRS and even organised rallies in support of its candidates.

Rao's decision to dissolve the House in September, eight months before its tenure was to end, and go for an early election, is being seen as a masterstroke, as national issues might have overshadowed those of the state if simultaneous elections were held for the Lok Sabha and the state assembly.

Rao was first off the blocks when he announced the names of 105 candidates for the 119-member assembly barely a couple of hours after recommending its dissolution.

The TRS nominees hit the ground running and the gamble paid off.

Following the opposition coalition's drubbing, Chandrababu Naidu said it respects the people's verdict, but claimed the results of the assembly polls in five states showed people had become "antagonistic" to the BJP.

"People of all states are antagonistic towards the BJP. Results of these assembly elections will enable formation of a strong alternative to the BJP in the 2019 general elections," he said in a statement, and congratulated Rao on his party's victory.

The Congress cried foul, saying it suspected "manipulation" of the Electronic Voting Machines, and demanded that all votes be counted using the VVPAT (Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail) to ascertain the exact number of votes polled by each candidate.

"The whole Telangana society has doubts about EVMs. Why the Election Commission is not counting every paper trail linked to Electronic Voting Machines by delaying result by 4-5 hours? Election Commission does not have a proper answer," Telangana Congress chief N Uttam Kumar Reddy said.

CPI general secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy attributed distribution of "huge amounts of money and liquor" by the TRS for its victory.

"This election was not free and fair. Distribution of money and liquor was terrible. I do not think it is a moral victory for him (Rao), it is only a technical victory," Reddy said.

He said the opposition alliance should have finalised the seat-sharing deal earlier than they actually did as that would have given it more time for campaigning.&nbsp;

TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao, who led his party to a two-thirds majority in the December 7 assembly elections in Telangana, will be formally elected leader of the legislature party Wednesday, party sources said.

TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao, who led his party to a two-thirds majority in the December 7 assembly elections in Telangana, will be formally elected leader of the legislature party Wednesday, party sources said. A meeting of the legislature party has been convened at 11.30 AM here Wednesday, the sources said. Asked when Rao would be sworn in as Chief Minister, a senior TRS leader told PTI: "Tomorrow, he (Rao) will take a call on that. It (swearing-in) will definitely happen before December 15... After the 15th it's not auspicious". Meanwhile, Rao met the Governor E S L Narasimhan at the Raj Bhavan Tuesday to stake his claim to form the government for a second time. Rao had dissolved the Assembly in September eight months ahead of schedule in a political gamble that paid off handsomely in the elections, with his party the TRS decimating its rivals, winning 84 of the 119 seats in the assembly. The Congress won 18, while the Asadudding Owaisi led AIMIM, which supported TRS, bagged seven. The BJP won just one seat. K Chandrasekhar Rao, 64, who emerged as the mascot of Telangana pride when he led the massive movement that convulsed undivided Andhra Pradesh and ended with the creation of the youngest state of the country in 2014, powered his party winning 82 seats in the 119-member assembly. Its candidates are leading in six places, sources in the state office of the state's chief electoral officer said. Rao himself won by a margin of over 51,000 votes from his Gajwel seat, trouncing V Pratap Reddy of the Congress. Rao's son K T Rama Rao and nephew T Harish Rao, both ministers in his caretaker government, also won by impressive margins. The newly elected lawmakers of the TRS are meeting here at 11.30 am on Wednesday to formally elect Rao as the leader of the legislature party. A TRS leader said the date for his swearing-in will be finalised at the meeting. The 'Praja Kutami' (People's Front), a 4-party opposition alliance led by the Congress that included Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's TDP, CPI and the newly formed Telangana Jana Samiti, cut a sorry figure together winning 21 seats. The Congress had just 19 seats in its kitty, two less that what it won in the last polls, while the TDP could win only two against its tally of 15 seats in 2014. The two other coalition partners failed to open their account. Telangana was the only state among the five where results of assembly polls were declared Tuesday that the Congress had cobbled together a coalition amid the talk of formation of a broad-based alliance to take on the BJP-led NDA in the Lok Sabha polls next year. Buoyed by a string of electoral successes in assembly elections, the BJP ploughed a lonely furrow after the TDP walked out of the NDA a few months ago. However, the TRS juggernaut put paid to all hopes the saffron party might have had of making inroads into Rao's citadel. The BJP, which had won five seats in the last assembly polls in 2014 held in undivided Andhra Pradesh that it contested in alliance with the TDP, had to be content with just one seat out of the 118 where its candidates tried their luck. Its state chief and sitting MLA K Laxman finished a poor third in Musheerabad. Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM, which Rao calls a "friendly party", has won five seats and its nominees are leading in two places. "We are going to play a very crucial role in national politics...We will show...We will give a new definition to the national political scenario," a triumphant Rao told a press conference. "Today's results...Telangana has shown the way to the whole nation. Today, Telangana stands (as) a non-Congress, non-BJP state," Rao, who has lobbied with leaders of other major regional parties, including TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, to pitch for a federal front against the two national parties, said. Dedicating his party's resounding victory to the people of Telangana, Rao said an action plan for development will be prepared to meet the aspirations of people. The emphatic victory of the TRS might well act as a springboard for the leader who harbours the ambition of playing a greater role in national politics. Though Telangana came into existence more than four years ago, TRS supremo brought alive the issue of 'Telangana pride' by repeatedly targeting his former boss and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, accusing him of stalling the development of Telangana and calling him an outsider. His appeal to regional sentiments appeared to have helped the TRS keep the Congress, which made huge gains in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, under check in Telangana as it had aligned with the TDP, a party Rao accused of acting against his state's interests. Rao's populist schemes, including waiver of farm loans totalling over Rs 17,000 crore and implementation of 'Ryuthu Bandu', a farmers investment support scheme that gave tillers Rs 8,000 per annum per acre also seemed to have endeared him to the sizeable farming community. Despite his aggressive posturing during the Telangana movement, Rao ensured there was no persecution of those from Andhra Pradesh after its bifurcation, something that ostensibly helped him secure votes of many people from the neighbouring state. Rao's repeated criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "thwarting" the TRS government's efforts for raising quotas for Muslims and Scheduled Tribes in government jobs and state-run educational institutions during the campaign also apparently helped the party garner support of these sections. Asaduddin Owaisi, who of late has emerged as one of the most prominent Muslim voices, openly backed the TRS and even organised rallies in support of its candidates. Rao's decision to dissolve the House in September, eight months before its tenure was to end, and go for an early election, is being seen as a masterstroke, as national issues might have overshadowed those of the state if simultaneous elections were held for the Lok Sabha and the state assembly. Rao was first off the blocks when he announced the names of 105 candidates for the 119-member assembly barely a couple of hours after recommending its dissolution. The TRS nominees hit the ground running and the gamble paid off. Following the opposition coalition's drubbing, Chandrababu Naidu said it respects the people's verdict, but claimed the results of the assembly polls in five states showed people had become "antagonistic" to the BJP. "People of all states are antagonistic towards the BJP. Results of these assembly elections will enable formation of a strong alternative to the BJP in the 2019 general elections," he said in a statement, and congratulated Rao on his party's victory. The Congress cried foul, saying it suspected "manipulation" of the Electronic Voting Machines, and demanded that all votes be counted using the VVPAT (Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail) to ascertain the exact number of votes polled by each candidate. "The whole Telangana society has doubts about EVMs. Why the Election Commission is not counting every paper trail linked to Electronic Voting Machines by delaying result by 4-5 hours? Election Commission does not have a proper answer," Telangana Congress chief N Uttam Kumar Reddy said. CPI general secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy attributed distribution of "huge amounts of money and liquor" by the TRS for its victory. "This election was not free and fair. Distribution of money and liquor was terrible. I do not think it is a moral victory for him (Rao), it is only a technical victory," Reddy said. He said the opposition alliance should have finalised the seat-sharing deal earlier than they actually did as that would have given it more time for campaigning.

Telangana CM's swearing-in will definitely happen before December 15: TRS

Ashok Gehlot didn't make the Congress disappear altogether in Rajasthan and, in any case, the party's good showing in the assembly polls wasn't a solo act. But on Tuesday the Congress appeared close to picking the magician at heart for the chief minister's job.

Gehlot has said magic is in his soul. At a conjurors' convention in 2015 which he inaugurated by performing a little trick of his own, the veteran told the audience he would have followed in his magician father's footstep had he not joined politics.

This he did thanks to Indira Gandhi, according to some accounts. She is said to have noticed his work with refugees in the northeast and roped him in.

In his early years as a politician, he headed the Rajasthan unit of the National Students Union of India (NSUI) and was later seen as a staunch loyalist of the Gandhi family.

Some in the party called him "gilli billi", a tag which referred to his past when he performed magic as an assistant to his father Laxman Singh Daksh on his tours.

Now, after a gap of five years, the veteran could be back in the saddle as chief minister.

After a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party in the state capital on Wednesday, party president <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/it-is-time-for-change-rahul-gandhi-after-poll-results-183326">Rahul Gandhi will take a call </a>between the seasoned 67-year-old and Sachin Pilot, the youthful Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee president.

Sometimes called "Rajasthan's Gandhi" for his simple lifestyle and mass connect, Gehlot has been chief minister twice earlier.

The first stint was in 1998-2003 and the second ended in 2013, with the Bharatiya Janata Party's Vasundhara Raje succeeding him each time.

Gehlot has also been at the helm of the Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee four times.

Currently an All India Congress Committee general secretary, Gehlot has been deployed by the party in crucial roles at the national level.

He was appointed AICC general secretary in charge of Gujarat just months ahead of last year's assembly polls. The Congress didn't win but managed to give the BJP a big scare in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state.

In the recent Karnataka assembly polls, he was there in Bengaluru along with Ghulam Nabi Azad to help stitch together a post-poll coalition with Janata Dal (Secular) to form the government.

After his first proper job in the organisation as NSUI's Rajasthan president from 1974 to 1979, he went on to become the Jodhpur district Congress committee president from 1979 to 1982. Then, he was elevated as the state Congress committee's general secretary.

He was first-elected to Parliament in 1980, and went on to win Lok Sabha elections four more times. Since 1999, he has represented the Sardarpura assembly constituency, winning five consecutive terms in the House.

At the Centre, Gehlot has served as a minister of state in the ministries of tourism, civil aviation, sports and textiles, in different stints between 1982 and 1993.

He was also the AICC general secretary in charge of Delhi and the Sewa Dal cell from 2004-2009 and member of the Congress Working Committee looking after Himachal Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.&nbsp;

Ashok Gehlot didn't make the Congress disappear altogether in Rajasthan and, in any case, the party's good showing in the assembly polls wasn't a solo act. But on Tuesday the Congress appeared close to picking the magician at heart for the chief minister's job.

Ashok Gehlot didn't make the Congress disappear altogether in Rajasthan and, in any case, the party's good showing in the assembly polls wasn't a solo act. But on Tuesday the Congress appeared close to picking the magician at heart for the chief minister's job. Gehlot has said magic is in his soul. At a conjurors' convention in 2015 which he inaugurated by performing a little trick of his own, the veteran told the audience he would have followed in his magician father's footstep had he not joined politics. This he did thanks to Indira Gandhi, according to some accounts. She is said to have noticed his work with refugees in the northeast and roped him in. In his early years as a politician, he headed the Rajasthan unit of the National Students Union of India (NSUI) and was later seen as a staunch loyalist of the Gandhi family. Some in the party called him "gilli billi", a tag which referred to his past when he performed magic as an assistant to his father Laxman Singh Daksh on his tours. Now, after a gap of five years, the veteran could be back in the saddle as chief minister. After a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party in the state capital on Wednesday, party president Rahul Gandhi will take a call between the seasoned 67-year-old and Sachin Pilot, the youthful Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee president. Sometimes called "Rajasthan's Gandhi" for his simple lifestyle and mass connect, Gehlot has been chief minister twice earlier. The first stint was in 1998-2003 and the second ended in 2013, with the Bharatiya Janata Party's Vasundhara Raje succeeding him each time. Gehlot has also been at the helm of the Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee four times. Currently an All India Congress Committee general secretary, Gehlot has been deployed by the party in crucial roles at the national level. He was appointed AICC general secretary in charge of Gujarat just months ahead of last year's assembly polls. The Congress didn't win but managed to give the BJP a big scare in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state. In the recent Karnataka assembly polls, he was there in Bengaluru along with Ghulam Nabi Azad to help stitch together a post-poll coalition with Janata Dal (Secular) to form the government. After his first proper job in the organisation as NSUI's Rajasthan president from 1974 to 1979, he went on to become the Jodhpur district Congress committee president from 1979 to 1982. Then, he was elevated as the state Congress committee's general secretary. He was first-elected to Parliament in 1980, and went on to win Lok Sabha elections four more times. Since 1999, he has represented the Sardarpura assembly constituency, winning five consecutive terms in the House. At the Centre, Gehlot has served as a minister of state in the ministries of tourism, civil aviation, sports and textiles, in different stints between 1982 and 1993. He was also the AICC general secretary in charge of Delhi and the Sewa Dal cell from 2004-2009 and member of the Congress Working Committee looking after Himachal Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

Ashok Gehlot: Magician at heart could become Rajasthan CM

These are early projections, confident that we will win: BJP leaders on poll result trends