K Chandrasekhar Rao's Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) is headed towards a decisive victory in the assembly election, trends on Tuesday morning showed.

TRS president and Telangana caretaker Chief Minister KCR is leading by 9,212 votes over his nearest Congress rival Vanteru Pratap Reddy in Gajwel constituency after the fifth round of counting.

His daughter and K Kavitha said on Tuesday that there was never a doubt that the party will retain power with a huge majority.

Kavitha, a member of the Lok Sabha, said there was no anti-incumbency as the TRS government had done well on all fronts during the last four-and-a-half years.

"KCR's hard work has paid off," said Kavitha, adding that it was both welfare programmes and Telangana pride which worked for the party in this election.

Nearly all the exit polls had predicted incumbent KCR-led TRS retaining another term with a clear majority.

Legislative Assembly elections were held for the first time in Telangana on December 7 after its formation as the 2014 Assembly polls were held in undivided Andhra Pradesh.

The TRS went alone in the polls and so did the BJP.

K Chandrasekhar Rao's Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) is headed towards a decisive victory in the assembly election, trends on Tuesday morning showed. TRS president and Telangana caretaker Chief Minister KCR is leading by 9,212 votes over his nearest Congress rival Vanteru Pratap Reddy in Gajwel constituency after the fifth round of counting.

K Chandrasekhar Rao's Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) is headed towards a decisive victory in the assembly election, trends on Tuesday morning showed. TRS president and Telangana caretaker Chief Minister KCR is leading by 9,212 votes over his nearest Congress rival Vanteru Pratap Reddy in Gajwel constituency after the fifth round of counting. His daughter and K Kavitha said on Tuesday that there was never a doubt that the party will retain power with a huge majority. Kavitha, a member of the Lok Sabha, said there was no anti-incumbency as the TRS government had done well on all fronts during the last four-and-a-half years. "KCR's hard work has paid off," said Kavitha, adding that it was both welfare programmes and Telangana pride which worked for the party in this election. Nearly all the exit polls had predicted incumbent KCR-led TRS retaining another term with a clear majority. Legislative Assembly elections were held for the first time in Telangana on December 7 after its formation as the 2014 Assembly polls were held in undivided Andhra Pradesh. The TRS went alone in the polls and so did the BJP.

TRS heads towards decisive victory in Telangana

Vasundhara Raje prays in temple as Rajasthan leads trickle in

From living a life of near anonymity as a Congress foot soldier to becoming the mascot of Telangana pride who brought down the then mighty Congress to its knees and wrested statehood, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/telangana-assembly-elections-2018-why-its-difficult-to-overthrow-k-c-rao-178990">K Chandrasekhar Rao</a> has navigated the choppy waters of politics with the ease of a masterful oarsman.

With the emphatic victory of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/trs-heads-towards-decisive-victory-in-telangana-183095">TRS</a>, the party he founded with the sole aim of realising the decades-old dream of a separate Telangana, Kalvakuntla Chandrasekhar Rao, 64, has reinforced his position as the tallest leader of the youngest state of the Indian union.

The victory in the assembly elections, the first in Telangana after its formation in June 2014, might well act as a springboard for the leader, often accused of perpetuating family rule and promoting nepotism, to realise his ambition of playing a greater role in national politics.

KCR's suave and sophisticated son <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/telangana-minister-kt-rao-increased-his-assets-by-424-congress-180827">K T Rama Rao</a>, a minister in his cabinet, is his heir apparent, while his daughter K Kavitha is Lok Sabha MP from Nizamabad. His nephew Harish Rao is also a minister.

KCR, as Rao is popularly known, has been one of the votaries of a broad-based non-BJP and non-Congress federal front, and the win would further fortify his position as a regional satrap.

Rao's decision to dissolve the House in September, several 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.

A canny politician that he is, 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.

TRS nominees hit the ground running and the gamble paid off.

Rao retained a majority of his MLAs, leaving some of the ticket hopefuls dejected, but he managed to silence whimpers of protest and keep his flock together.

The TRS supremo whipped up the issue of 'Telangana pride' by repeatedly targeting his former boss and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, accusing him of having stalled the development of Telangana and calling him an outsider. All the while he continued to harp on the welfare schemes launched by his government.

Welfare measures like social security pension and 'Ryuthu Bandu', a farmers investment support scheme that gave the tillers Rs 8,000 per annum per acre, tackling power shortage, and his accusation against the Centre that it blocked his plans to raise quotas for Scheduled Tribes and Muslims in jobs and education underpinned his campaign rhetoric.

The self-proclaimed farmer from Chintamadaka village in Medak district, whose assets soared 41 per cent in the last little over four years to Rs 22.6 crore, cut his political teeth in the Indian Youth Congress as an ordinary member.

Rao joined the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) founded by film icon N T Rama Rao in 1983. His first outing at the hustings the same year ended in failure when he lost to the Congress candidate in Siddipet.

He wrested the seat in 1985 and there was no looking back for him ever since. Rao won 13 elections to the Lok Sabha and state assembly on the trot. He won Karimnagar, Medak and Mahbubnagar Lok Sabha seats five times, including twice in by-polls.

Rao became a minister in the NTR government and subsequently that of his son-in-law N Chandrababu Naidu. He was also the deputy speaker of the Andhra Pradesh Assembly.

However, the dream of a separate Telangana never left him. Rao quit the TDP in 2001, accusing Naidu of discriminating against Telangana. He floated the Telangana Rashtra Samithi and revived the statehood movement that lay dormant for years after the late 1960s.

He joined hands with the Congress that promised statehood for Telangana and fought the 2004 Lok Sabha polls in alliance with it.

The TRS won five seats and Rao was made a cabinet minister at the Centre but walked out of the alliance after accusing the Congress of not being serious about creating Telangana.

In the 2009 assembly elections, TRS allied with the TDP after the latter agreed to extend "unconditional support" for the creation of Telangana.

Rao and his TRS remained a fringe player in undivided Andhra Pradesh as the Congress returned to power in 2009 under the charismatic Y S Rajasekhara Reddy.

Following Reddy's death in a helicopter crash in 2009, Congress plunged into turmoil as his son revolted against the party high command over the leadership issue.

Sensing an opportunity, Rao began a fast unto death for Telangana statehood. As Telangana plunged into turmoil with mass protests and suicides by young men, glory came to Rao who ended his 11-day fast following an announcement by the then Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on December 9, 2009 that steps will be taken for Telangana's formation.

However, in a set back for the TRS boss, the UPA government buckled under pressure from people of coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema region who protested the "unilateral" announcement. The government felt more consultations were needed before the new state could be formed. 
Rao steeled himself for the battle ahead as he went about convincing people of the Telangana region that "injustice" being done to them could end only if it was granted statehood.

He breathed fire and brimstone with slogans like "Telangana waley jaago, Andhra waley bhago (People of Telangana arise, those of Andhra run away)". He threatened a "civil war" and "bloodbath" 
if Telangana was not created.

As Andhra Pradesh, geographically undivided but cleaved by strong regional sentiments, headed for the 2014 assembly elections, Rao's steadfast and aggressive pursuit of Telangana saw the TRS reap a handsome electoral harvest.

And when the new state was born, TRS had 11 of the 17 Lok Sabha and 63 of the 119 assembly seats. Having realised his Telangana dream, he fortified his position as nearly 20 MLAs from the TDP, Congress and other parties switched over to the TRS.

With Telangana firmly under his belt, the political craftsman, a blend of abrasiveness and accommodation, could well seek greater space for himself in national politics should a non-BJP, non-Congress front materialise amid growing aspirations of regional satraps eyeing a piece of New Delhi's power pie.&nbsp;

From living a life of near anonymity as a Congress foot soldier to becoming the mascot of Telangana pride who brought down the then mighty Congress to its knees and wrested statehood, K Chandrasekhar Rao has navigated the choppy waters of politics with the ease of a masterful oarsman.

From living a life of near anonymity as a Congress foot soldier to becoming the mascot of Telangana pride who brought down the then mighty Congress to its knees and wrested statehood, K Chandrasekhar Rao has navigated the choppy waters of politics with the ease of a masterful oarsman. With the emphatic victory of the TRS, the party he founded with the sole aim of realising the decades-old dream of a separate Telangana, Kalvakuntla Chandrasekhar Rao, 64, has reinforced his position as the tallest leader of the youngest state of the Indian union. The victory in the assembly elections, the first in Telangana after its formation in June 2014, might well act as a springboard for the leader, often accused of perpetuating family rule and promoting nepotism, to realise his ambition of playing a greater role in national politics. KCR's suave and sophisticated son K T Rama Rao, a minister in his cabinet, is his heir apparent, while his daughter K Kavitha is Lok Sabha MP from Nizamabad. His nephew Harish Rao is also a minister. KCR, as Rao is popularly known, has been one of the votaries of a broad-based non-BJP and non-Congress federal front, and the win would further fortify his position as a regional satrap. Rao's decision to dissolve the House in September, several 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. A canny politician that he is, 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. TRS nominees hit the ground running and the gamble paid off. Rao retained a majority of his MLAs, leaving some of the ticket hopefuls dejected, but he managed to silence whimpers of protest and keep his flock together. The TRS supremo whipped up the issue of 'Telangana pride' by repeatedly targeting his former boss and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, accusing him of having stalled the development of Telangana and calling him an outsider. All the while he continued to harp on the welfare schemes launched by his government. Welfare measures like social security pension and 'Ryuthu Bandu', a farmers investment support scheme that gave the tillers Rs 8,000 per annum per acre, tackling power shortage, and his accusation against the Centre that it blocked his plans to raise quotas for Scheduled Tribes and Muslims in jobs and education underpinned his campaign rhetoric. The self-proclaimed farmer from Chintamadaka village in Medak district, whose assets soared 41 per cent in the last little over four years to Rs 22.6 crore, cut his political teeth in the Indian Youth Congress as an ordinary member. Rao joined the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) founded by film icon N T Rama Rao in 1983. His first outing at the hustings the same year ended in failure when he lost to the Congress candidate in Siddipet. He wrested the seat in 1985 and there was no looking back for him ever since. Rao won 13 elections to the Lok Sabha and state assembly on the trot. He won Karimnagar, Medak and Mahbubnagar Lok Sabha seats five times, including twice in by-polls. Rao became a minister in the NTR government and subsequently that of his son-in-law N Chandrababu Naidu. He was also the deputy speaker of the Andhra Pradesh Assembly. However, the dream of a separate Telangana never left him. Rao quit the TDP in 2001, accusing Naidu of discriminating against Telangana. He floated the Telangana Rashtra Samithi and revived the statehood movement that lay dormant for years after the late 1960s. He joined hands with the Congress that promised statehood for Telangana and fought the 2004 Lok Sabha polls in alliance with it. The TRS won five seats and Rao was made a cabinet minister at the Centre but walked out of the alliance after accusing the Congress of not being serious about creating Telangana. In the 2009 assembly elections, TRS allied with the TDP after the latter agreed to extend "unconditional support" for the creation of Telangana. Rao and his TRS remained a fringe player in undivided Andhra Pradesh as the Congress returned to power in 2009 under the charismatic Y S Rajasekhara Reddy. Following Reddy's death in a helicopter crash in 2009, Congress plunged into turmoil as his son revolted against the party high command over the leadership issue. Sensing an opportunity, Rao began a fast unto death for Telangana statehood. As Telangana plunged into turmoil with mass protests and suicides by young men, glory came to Rao who ended his 11-day fast following an announcement by the then Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on December 9, 2009 that steps will be taken for Telangana's formation. However, in a set back for the TRS boss, the UPA government buckled under pressure from people of coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema region who protested the "unilateral" announcement. The government felt more consultations were needed before the new state could be formed. Rao steeled himself for the battle ahead as he went about convincing people of the Telangana region that "injustice" being done to them could end only if it was granted statehood. He breathed fire and brimstone with slogans like "Telangana waley jaago, Andhra waley bhago (People of Telangana arise, those of Andhra run away)". He threatened a "civil war" and "bloodbath" if Telangana was not created. As Andhra Pradesh, geographically undivided but cleaved by strong regional sentiments, headed for the 2014 assembly elections, Rao's steadfast and aggressive pursuit of Telangana saw the TRS reap a handsome electoral harvest. And when the new state was born, TRS had 11 of the 17 Lok Sabha and 63 of the 119 assembly seats. Having realised his Telangana dream, he fortified his position as nearly 20 MLAs from the TDP, Congress and other parties switched over to the TRS. With Telangana firmly under his belt, the political craftsman, a blend of abrasiveness and accommodation, could well seek greater space for himself in national politics should a non-BJP, non-Congress front materialise amid growing aspirations of regional satraps eyeing a piece of New Delhi's power pie.

KCR: An obscure Congress foot soldier who became mascot of Telangana pride

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday reacted over the outcome of the Assembly polls results in the five states stating that "issues in state elections are entirely different."

The minister said that in the year 2003 when the BJP had won all these states, the party lost the Lok Sabha polls in 2004.&nbsp;

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FM Jaitley: I think result was certainly not as expected&amp;it's an opprtunity to pause and analyse, for results were not as per expected. In both Chhattisgarh&amp;MP we were in power for 15 yrs&amp;we have done well. I don't think there was aniti-incumbency but fatigue factor does come in. <a href="https://t.co/EbrVEbm3A4">pic.twitter.com/EbrVEbm3A4</a>
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"Therefore these results don't reflect automatically. The 2019 elections will be around the performance of Central govt and leadership of PM Modi," Jaitley said.&nbsp;

"The election issue really will be, do we need a tried and tested leadership and govt in place or we want some kind of an unstable non-ideological coalition which is bound to splinter away sooner than later," he said.&nbsp;

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FM Jaitley: Issues in state elections are entirely different, we won all these states in 2003 Dec &amp; lost the general election in 2004. Therefore these results don't reflect automatically. The 2019 elections will be around the performance of Central govt &amp; leadership of PM Modi. <a href="https://t.co/MuYBGjDjs0">pic.twitter.com/MuYBGjDjs0</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1072525527817338882?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Jaitley further added that the results have called for the party to "pause and analyse" as the results were not expected.&nbsp;

"In both Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh we were in power for 15 years and we have done well. I don't think there was anti-incumbency but fatigue factor does come in," he said.&nbsp;

The official data by the Election Commission signal a win for the Congress in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. 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 swept Mizoram</a> with 26 over 40 assembly seat. KCR's Telangana Rashtra Samiti also registered a landslide victory with 83 seats in its kitty, leading&nbsp;in 7.

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday reacted over the outcome of the Assembly polls results in the five states stating that "issues in state elections are entirely different.

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday reacted over the outcome of the Assembly polls results in the five states stating that "issues in state elections are entirely different." The minister said that in the year 2003 when the BJP had won all these states, the party lost the Lok Sabha polls in 2004. FM Jaitley: I think result was certainly not as expected&it's an opprtunity to pause and analyse, for results were not as per expected. In both Chhattisgarh&MP we were in power for 15 yrs&we have done well. I don't think there was aniti-incumbency but fatigue factor does come in. pic.twitter.com/EbrVEbm3A4 — ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2018 × "Therefore these results don't reflect automatically. The 2019 elections will be around the performance of Central govt and leadership of PM Modi," Jaitley said. "The election issue really will be, do we need a tried and tested leadership and govt in place or we want some kind of an unstable non-ideological coalition which is bound to splinter away sooner than later," he said. FM Jaitley: Issues in state elections are entirely different, we won all these states in 2003 Dec & lost the general election in 2004. Therefore these results don't reflect automatically. The 2019 elections will be around the performance of Central govt & leadership of PM Modi. pic.twitter.com/MuYBGjDjs0 — ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2018 × Jaitley further added that the results have called for the party to "pause and analyse" as the results were not expected. "In both Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh we were in power for 15 years and we have done well. I don't think there was anti-incumbency but fatigue factor does come in," he said. The official data by the Election Commission signal a win for the Congress in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. The Mizo National Front swept Mizoram with 26 over 40 assembly seat. KCR's Telangana Rashtra Samiti also registered a landslide victory with 83 seats in its kitty, leading in 7.

Results not as expected, it's an opportunity to pause and analyse: Arun Jaitley

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Congress president Rahul Gandhi thanked the people and Congress workers — he called the latter babbar shers — after the Congress' poll wins in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.&nbsp;

The battle in Madhya Pradesh continues with the BJP and Congress still neck and neck. Gandhi though said the Congress had won all three states.&nbsp;

"I thank people and Congress workers. The victory is of farmers and youths," Gandhi said.&nbsp;

"We have defeated BJP in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh," he added.&nbsp;

Gandhi blamed the BJP's defeats squarely on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.&nbsp;

"There is a clear feeling in the country that PM Modi has failed to deliver what he had committed," Gandhi said. "Modi got a massive mandate but refused to listen to heartbeat of the country." &nbsp;

Gandhi said that "under BJP", there had been "big mismanagement of economy, unnecessary damage to sections of economy that were doing well".&nbsp;

He added that the "BJP has failed to provide a vision for the country going forward". &nbsp;

And just as Modi had promised parivartan (change) and vikas (development) before 2014, Rahul promised them now.&nbsp;

"It's now time for change. We are going to provide the three states with a vision for overall development," he said.&nbsp;

Gandhi added that the selection of chief ministers in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh would be done smoothly.&nbsp;

"The process of loan waivers for farmers will start as soon as our governments are formed," Gandhi said.&nbsp;

He added though that "loan waiver is a measure, not a solution to farmers' distress".&nbsp;

Gandhi also promised a united fight in next year's general elections, saying the opposition "will fight together in 2019 polls".&nbsp;

He added that "we have defeated the BJP now and we will defeat it in 2019".&nbsp;

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Congress President Rahul Gandhi: BJP has an ideology, we'll fight against it &amp; defeat them. We have defeated them today &amp; we will do this again in 2019. But we don't want to erase anyone from the face of India. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AssemblyElectionResults2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AssemblyElectionResults2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/YctpLFJ2Sj">pic.twitter.com/YctpLFJ2Sj</a>
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Rahul Gandhi, Congress President: When PM was elected to power, he was elected on three platforms—employment, corruption and farmers. It was in people's mind that PM will fight against corruption. Now people think that PM Modi himself is corrupt. <a href="https://t.co/5tZVDiaz2J">pic.twitter.com/5tZVDiaz2J</a>
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His parting shot was: "I have learnt about a lot of things since 2014; most important being humility".&nbsp;

Congress president Rahul Gandhi thanked the people and Congress workers — he called the latter babbar shers — after the Congress' poll wins in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi thanked the people and Congress workers — he called the latter babbar shers — after the Congress' poll wins in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. The battle in Madhya Pradesh continues with the BJP and Congress still neck and neck. Gandhi though said the Congress had won all three states. "I thank people and Congress workers. The victory is of farmers and youths," Gandhi said. "We have defeated BJP in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh," he added. Gandhi blamed the BJP's defeats squarely on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "There is a clear feeling in the country that PM Modi has failed to deliver what he had committed," Gandhi said. "Modi got a massive mandate but refused to listen to heartbeat of the country." Gandhi said that "under BJP", there had been "big mismanagement of economy, unnecessary damage to sections of economy that were doing well". He added that the "BJP has failed to provide a vision for the country going forward". And just as Modi had promised parivartan (change) and vikas (development) before 2014, Rahul promised them now. "It's now time for change. We are going to provide the three states with a vision for overall development," he said. Gandhi added that the selection of chief ministers in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh would be done smoothly. "The process of loan waivers for farmers will start as soon as our governments are formed," Gandhi said. He added though that "loan waiver is a measure, not a solution to farmers' distress". Gandhi also promised a united fight in next year's general elections, saying the opposition "will fight together in 2019 polls". He added that "we have defeated the BJP now and we will defeat it in 2019". Congress President Rahul Gandhi: BJP has an ideology, we'll fight against it & defeat them. We have defeated them today & we will do this again in 2019. But we don't want to erase anyone from the face of India. #AssemblyElectionResults2018 pic.twitter.com/YctpLFJ2Sj — ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2018 × Rahul Gandhi, Congress President: When PM was elected to power, he was elected on three platforms—employment, corruption and farmers. It was in people's mind that PM will fight against corruption. Now people think that PM Modi himself is corrupt. pic.twitter.com/5tZVDiaz2J — ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2018 × His parting shot was: "I have learnt about a lot of things since 2014; most important being humility".

After poll results, Rahul Gandhi promises 'change' and 'overall development'

The BSE Sensex opened <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rbi-governor-urjit-patel-resigns-cites-personal-reasons-182915">500 points down in early trade on </a>Tuesday after RBI governor Urjit Patel's resignation which was announced a day earlier. The NSE Nifty was also down losing 131 points.

The Sensex was at 34,458.86 with the Nifty at 10354.70.

The markets dived further as state polls leads began pouring in which showed the BJP trailing in big&nbsp;states in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

On Monday, the Sensex had dived by 714 points on the back of "unfavourable" state exit poll results for the ruling BJP announced by various media agencies on Friday. It was the worst single-session fall for the benchmark BSE index since October 11.

The Sensex&nbsp;lost over 2 per cent, to close at 34,959.72 on Monday. Most stocks including realty, banking, metal, pharma, pharma and financial stocks ended in red.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

The broader NSE Nifty too had fallen 205.25 points, or 1.92 per cent, to end at 10,488.45.

The rupee had also weakened against the US dollar in intra-day trade to hit 71.44 per due to fresh foreign fund outflows which further pulled down the markets.&nbsp;

The BSE Sensex opened 500 points down in early trade on Tuesday after RBI governor Urjit Patel's resignation which was announced a day earlier. The NSE Nifty was also down losing 131 points.

The BSE Sensex opened 500 points down in early trade on Tuesday after RBI governor Urjit Patel's resignation which was announced a day earlier. The NSE Nifty was also down losing 131 points. The Sensex was at 34,458.86 with the Nifty at 10354.70. The markets dived further as state polls leads began pouring in which showed the BJP trailing in big states in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. On Monday, the Sensex had dived by 714 points on the back of "unfavourable" state exit poll results for the ruling BJP announced by various media agencies on Friday. It was the worst single-session fall for the benchmark BSE index since October 11. The Sensex lost over 2 per cent, to close at 34,959.72 on Monday. Most stocks including realty, banking, metal, pharma, pharma and financial stocks ended in red. The broader NSE Nifty too had fallen 205.25 points, or 1.92 per cent, to end at 10,488.45. The rupee had also weakened against the US dollar in intra-day trade to hit 71.44 per due to fresh foreign fund outflows which further pulled down the markets.

Sensex dives 500 points over Urjit Patel's resignation, state poll trends

The Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) chief K Chandrasekhar Rao would once again reach out to regional parties to forge unity among them and promoting the idea of a non-Congress, non-BJP federal front, a key party leader said on Monday.

"After formation of the government (in Telangana), the TRS will once again broach the concept of a federal front to all regional parties", the deputy floor leader of the party in the Lok Sabha B Vinod Kumar said.

"There is no need for us regional parties to align either with the Congress or with the BJP...That concept, that idea we will try to sell", added the Karimnagar Lok Sabha member.

He made the comments when asked for TRS view on the opposition meet in Delhi to forge a united front to fight the BJP in the 2019 polls.

"This idea (non-Congress, non-BJP front) we will sell in the coming days to these parties which attended today's meeting also", Vinod Kumar said.

Rao had a few months ago met Trinamool Congress Chief Mamata Banerjee, DMK President M K Stalin and JD(S) supremo H D Devegowda to promote the idea, but critics said the caretaker Telangana Chief Minister had not made much headway in his efforts.

"It's very to hard to sell this idea, we know it", Vinod Kumar said and claimed that the TRS convinced Stalin about the concept, while Devegowda was of the same opinion.

He alleged that both the Congress and BJP have a "big brother attitude" and have a feeling that all regional parties would have to "inevitably align" with them.

"All regional political parties should have a system of functioning with the so called national political parties", Vinod Kumar added.

The Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) chief K Chandrasekhar Rao would once again reach out to regional parties to forge unity among them and promoting the idea of a non-Congress, non-BJP federal front, a key party leader said on Monday.

The Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) chief K Chandrasekhar Rao would once again reach out to regional parties to forge unity among them and promoting the idea of a non-Congress, non-BJP federal front, a key party leader said on Monday. "After formation of the government (in Telangana), the TRS will once again broach the concept of a federal front to all regional parties", the deputy floor leader of the party in the Lok Sabha B Vinod Kumar said. "There is no need for us regional parties to align either with the Congress or with the BJP...That concept, that idea we will try to sell", added the Karimnagar Lok Sabha member. He made the comments when asked for TRS view on the opposition meet in Delhi to forge a united front to fight the BJP in the 2019 polls. "This idea (non-Congress, non-BJP front) we will sell in the coming days to these parties which attended today's meeting also", Vinod Kumar said. Rao had a few months ago met Trinamool Congress Chief Mamata Banerjee, DMK President M K Stalin and JD(S) supremo H D Devegowda to promote the idea, but critics said the caretaker Telangana Chief Minister had not made much headway in his efforts. "It's very to hard to sell this idea, we know it", Vinod Kumar said and claimed that the TRS convinced Stalin about the concept, while Devegowda was of the same opinion. He alleged that both the Congress and BJP have a "big brother attitude" and have a feeling that all regional parties would have to "inevitably align" with them. "All regional political parties should have a system of functioning with the so called national political parties", Vinod Kumar added.

TRS to once again reach out to regional parties to forge unity

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje visited the Tripurasundari temple in Banswara district to pray as counting of votes for 199 Assembly seats began on Tuesday.

She will be praying till the announcement of results, an official said.

More than an hour into counting, the BJP is leading in 73 seats and the Congress in 91 in Rajasthan as trends for 172 of 200 seats trickled in.

BJP candidates have taken an early lead in Anupgarh, Masuda, Pali, Bali, Pindwara-Abu and Reodar seats, while the Congress is surging ahead in Pokaran and Jayal.

Rajasthan has 200 assembly seats. The voting was held on December 7, the last day of polling in a round of state elections billed as a semi-final before next year's Lok Sabha polls.

Exit polls have predicted a win for the Congress in the state.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje visited the Tripurasundari temple in Banswara district to pray as counting of votes for 199 Assembly seats began on Tuesday.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje visited the Tripurasundari temple in Banswara district to pray as counting of votes for 199 Assembly seats began on Tuesday. She will be praying till the announcement of results, an official said. More than an hour into counting, the BJP is leading in 73 seats and the Congress in 91 in Rajasthan as trends for 172 of 200 seats trickled in. BJP candidates have taken an early lead in Anupgarh, Masuda, Pali, Bali, Pindwara-Abu and Reodar seats, while the Congress is surging ahead in Pokaran and Jayal. Rajasthan has 200 assembly seats. The voting was held on December 7, the last day of polling in a round of state elections billed as a semi-final before next year's Lok Sabha polls. Exit polls have predicted a win for the Congress in the state.

As many as 13 of 19 ministers in the outgoing Vasundhara Raje government have lost the Assembly elections in Rajasthan as results and trends brought electoral reverses for the ruling BJP.

However, Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and her five cabinet colleagues have won their respective constituencies.

Raje (Jhalrapatan), Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria (Udaipur), Education Minister Vasundev Devnani (Ajmer North), Women and Child Development Minister Anita Bhadel (Ajmer South), Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rajendra Rathore (Churu) and Higher Education Minister Kiran Maheshwari (Rajsamand) have retained their respective seats.

The chief minister won the Jhalrapatan seat with a margin of 34,980 votes by defeating her nearest rival and Congress leader Manvendra Singh, the son of veteran BJP leader Jaswant Singh.&nbsp;

She had won the seat in 2013 elections with a margin of 60,896 votes.

Among the ministers who lost the elections are: Agriculture Minister Prabhu Lal Saini (Anta), Food &amp; Civil Supply Minister Baboo Lal Verma (Baran-Atru), Revenue Minister Amra Ram (Pachpadra), Tourism Minister Krishnendra Kaur (Nadbai), Housing and Urban Development Minister Srichand Kriplani (Nimahera).

Also among those who lost are Water Resources Minister Rampratap (Hanumangarh), Social Justice Minister Arun Chaturvedi (Civil Lines), Industries Minister Rajpal Singh (Jhotwara), Cooperative Minister Ajay Singh (Degana), Gaupalan Minister Otaram Devasi (Sirohi) and Transport Minister Yoonus Khan (Tonk).&nbsp;

Khan lost the Muslim-dominated seat of Tonk to Pradesh Congress Committee President Sachin Pilot with a margin of 54179 votes. He was the only Muslim candidate fielded by the BJP in the state.&nbsp;

PHED Minister Surendra Goyal (Jaitaran) and Devsthan Minister Rajkumar Rinwa (Ratangarh) had turned rebel after the BJP denied them ticket and they contested the elections as Independents. Both have lost their respective seats.&nbsp;

As many as 13 of 19 ministers in the outgoing Vasundhara Raje government have lost the Assembly elections in Rajasthan as results and trends brought electoral reverses for the ruling BJP.

As many as 13 of 19 ministers in the outgoing Vasundhara Raje government have lost the Assembly elections in Rajasthan as results and trends brought electoral reverses for the ruling BJP. However, Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and her five cabinet colleagues have won their respective constituencies. Raje (Jhalrapatan), Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria (Udaipur), Education Minister Vasundev Devnani (Ajmer North), Women and Child Development Minister Anita Bhadel (Ajmer South), Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rajendra Rathore (Churu) and Higher Education Minister Kiran Maheshwari (Rajsamand) have retained their respective seats. The chief minister won the Jhalrapatan seat with a margin of 34,980 votes by defeating her nearest rival and Congress leader Manvendra Singh, the son of veteran BJP leader Jaswant Singh. She had won the seat in 2013 elections with a margin of 60,896 votes. Among the ministers who lost the elections are: Agriculture Minister Prabhu Lal Saini (Anta), Food & Civil Supply Minister Baboo Lal Verma (Baran-Atru), Revenue Minister Amra Ram (Pachpadra), Tourism Minister Krishnendra Kaur (Nadbai), Housing and Urban Development Minister Srichand Kriplani (Nimahera). Also among those who lost are Water Resources Minister Rampratap (Hanumangarh), Social Justice Minister Arun Chaturvedi (Civil Lines), Industries Minister Rajpal Singh (Jhotwara), Cooperative Minister Ajay Singh (Degana), Gaupalan Minister Otaram Devasi (Sirohi) and Transport Minister Yoonus Khan (Tonk). Khan lost the Muslim-dominated seat of Tonk to Pradesh Congress Committee President Sachin Pilot with a margin of 54179 votes. He was the only Muslim candidate fielded by the BJP in the state. PHED Minister Surendra Goyal (Jaitaran) and Devsthan Minister Rajkumar Rinwa (Ratangarh) had turned rebel after the BJP denied them ticket and they contested the elections as Independents. Both have lost their respective seats.

13 of 19 Rajasthan ministers lose elections; CM Vasundhara Raje retains her seat

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/assembly-election-results-2018-live-stakes-high-ahead-of-2019-general-elections-183025">Assembly Election Results 2018 Live: Congress leading in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh; MNF in Mizoram, TRS ahead in Telangana</a>

The vote count is in full swing, numbers are changing every minute. Here's what the latest trends for Assembly Elections 2018 Results look like:

Madhya Pradesh: &nbsp;BJP 45, Congress 42 
Rajasthan: BJP 43, Congress 71 
Chhattisgarh: BJP 21, Congress 25 
Telangana: TRS 30, Congress + 25, BJP 3, Others 5 
Mizoram: Congress 1, MNF 1

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-sanctions-top-kim-jong-un-aides-over-north-korea-rights-183017">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-sanctions-top-kim-jong-un-aides-over-north-korea-rights-183017"> sanctions top Kim aides over North Korea human rights record</a>

The United States on Monday imposed sanctions on three North Korean officials as it called the regime's human rights record among the world's worst, in an abrupt shift from President Donald Trump's efforts to woo the regime.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/macron-hikes-minimum-wage-to-appease-yellow-vest-protesters-183016">Macron hikes minimum wage after 'yellow vest' protests in France</a>

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Monday a 100-euro ($113) per month increase in the minimum wage from next year in a major concession to "yellow vest" protesters who have roiled the country.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-briefly-shuts-dozens-of-online-news-sites-citing-security-concerns-183041">Bangladesh briefly shuts dozens of online news sites, citing security concerns</a>

Bangladesh's telecoms regulator shut down dozens of online news portals for several hours on Monday, citing security reasons, as officials scrutinise hundreds of sites before a parliamentary election this month.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-has-arrested-170-immigrants-who-tried-to-claim-migrant-children-183037">US arrests 170 immigrants who tried to claim migrant children</a>

US immigration authorities arrested 170 people between early July and late November who came forward to claim migrant children in government custody, according to official data released on Monday, crackdown advocates say is discouraging relatives from volunteering to take in some of the 14,000 detained children.

Assembly Election Results 2018 Live: Congress leading in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh; MNF in Mizoram, TRS ahead in Telangana The vote count is in full swing, numbers are changing every minute.

Assembly Election Results 2018 Live: Congress leading in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh; MNF in Mizoram, TRS ahead in Telangana The vote count is in full swing, numbers are changing every minute. Here's what the latest trends for Assembly Elections 2018 Results look like: Madhya Pradesh: BJP 45, Congress 42 Rajasthan: BJP 43, Congress 71 Chhattisgarh: BJP 21, Congress 25 Telangana: TRS 30, Congress + 25, BJP 3, Others 5 Mizoram: Congress 1, MNF 1 US sanctions top Kim aides over North Korea human rights record The United States on Monday imposed sanctions on three North Korean officials as it called the regime's human rights record among the world's worst, in an abrupt shift from President Donald Trump's efforts to woo the regime. Macron hikes minimum wage after 'yellow vest' protests in France French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Monday a 100-euro ($113) per month increase in the minimum wage from next year in a major concession to "yellow vest" protesters who have roiled the country. Bangladesh briefly shuts dozens of online news sites, citing security concerns Bangladesh's telecoms regulator shut down dozens of online news portals for several hours on Monday, citing security reasons, as officials scrutinise hundreds of sites before a parliamentary election this month. US arrests 170 immigrants who tried to claim migrant children US immigration authorities arrested 170 people between early July and late November who came forward to claim migrant children in government custody, according to official data released on Monday, crackdown advocates say is discouraging relatives from volunteering to take in some of the 14,000 detained children.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Assembly Election 2018: Outgoing Chattisgarh CM Raman Singh, says 'we respect people's mandate'

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) said Tuesday the Congresss-led alliance, of which it is a part, needs to analyse and introspect on the grouping's "failure" in the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/assembly-election-results-2018-live-stakes-high-ahead-of-2019-general-elections-183025">Telangana Assembly elections</a>.

"We have to analyse the factors that contributed to the success of TRS and failure of our alliance," said Ravula Chandrasekhar Reddy, senior leader of TDP, led by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

"We were expecting to get more number of seats. The results are not to our expectations," Reddy told PTI.

The alliance which also comprised the Telangana Jana Samithi and the Communist Party of India, did not fare well, and "we have to analyse and introspect where it went wrong, and we have to work together", he said.

"We have to respect people's verdict", Reddy said, adding the alliance would now strive hard to see to it that the TRS government implements the "tall promises" made by the K Chandrasekhar Rao-led party.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, TDP chief and Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu said that he respects the mandate of the people of Telangana.&nbsp;

"TDP respects the mandate of people of Telangana. Congratulations to Shri K. Chandrasekhar Rao. Also, best wishes to all the newly elected public representatives of 5 states," Naidu said.

"People recognize that BJP has done nothing in last 5 yrs and moving towards alternative. People are with us in our fight against BJP. These 5 states results will help form a strong alternative to the BJP," he added.&nbsp;

According to the official Election Commission data, KC Rao's Telangana Rashtra Samiti leads on around 80 seats.&nbsp;

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) said Tuesday the Congresss-led alliance, of which it is a part, needs to analyse and introspect on the grouping's "failure" in the Telangana Assembly elections.

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) said Tuesday the Congresss-led alliance, of which it is a part, needs to analyse and introspect on the grouping's "failure" in the Telangana Assembly elections. "We have to analyse the factors that contributed to the success of TRS and failure of our alliance," said Ravula Chandrasekhar Reddy, senior leader of TDP, led by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. "We were expecting to get more number of seats. The results are not to our expectations," Reddy told PTI. The alliance which also comprised the Telangana Jana Samithi and the Communist Party of India, did not fare well, and "we have to analyse and introspect where it went wrong, and we have to work together", he said. "We have to respect people's verdict", Reddy said, adding the alliance would now strive hard to see to it that the TRS government implements the "tall promises" made by the K Chandrasekhar Rao-led party. Meanwhile, TDP chief and Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu said that he respects the mandate of the people of Telangana. "TDP respects the mandate of people of Telangana. Congratulations to Shri K. Chandrasekhar Rao. Also, best wishes to all the newly elected public representatives of 5 states," Naidu said. "People recognize that BJP has done nothing in last 5 yrs and moving towards alternative. People are with us in our fight against BJP. These 5 states results will help form a strong alternative to the BJP," he added. According to the official Election Commission data, KC Rao's Telangana Rashtra Samiti leads on around 80 seats.

Congress-led alliance needs introspection on failure: TDP

TRS president K Chandrashekhar Rao said Tuesday that "we are going to play a crucial role in national politics".&nbsp;

The TRS is set to sweep <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/assembly-election-results-2018-live-stakes-high-ahead-of-2019-general-elections-183025">the elections</a> in Telangana.&nbsp;

The Election Commission was at 5.15 in the evening saying the TRS had won (21) or was leading (67) in 88 seats in Telangana out of a total of 119 seats.&nbsp;

The TRS then is expected to comfortably form a government in the state on its own.&nbsp;

"I will actively participate in national politics," KCR said on Tuesday.&nbsp;

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TRS President and Telangana caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao: I spoke to other political parties, we are going to play a crucial role in national politics. <a href="https://t.co/70izuwTQrT">https://t.co/70izuwTQrT</a>
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"I spoke to other political parties, we are going to play a crucial role in national politics," he added.&nbsp;

TRS president K Chandrashekhar Rao said Tuesday that "we are going to play a crucial role in national politics". The TRS is set to sweep the elections in Telangana.

TRS president K Chandrashekhar Rao said Tuesday that "we are going to play a crucial role in national politics". The TRS is set to sweep the elections in Telangana. The Election Commission was at 5.15 in the evening saying the TRS had won (21) or was leading (67) in 88 seats in Telangana out of a total of 119 seats. The TRS then is expected to comfortably form a government in the state on its own. "I will actively participate in national politics," KCR said on Tuesday. TRS President and Telangana caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao: I spoke to other political parties, we are going to play a crucial role in national politics. https://t.co/70izuwTQrT — ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2018 × "I spoke to other political parties, we are going to play a crucial role in national politics," he added.

Ready to sweep Telangana, KCR says 'We are going to play crucial role in national politics'

The Bharatiya Janata Party <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/assembly-election-results-2018-live-stakes-high-ahead-of-2019-general-elections-183025">looked set to lose power in the three key states of Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh</a>, official vote counts showed on Tuesday, likely handing Prime Minister Narendra Modi his biggest defeat since he took office in 2014, and only months ahead of a general election.

The results in the heartland could force the central government run by Modi's BJP to lift spending in the countryside, where more than two-thirds of India's 1.3 billion people live.

Political analysts say the BJP's likely defeat underscores rural dismay with the government and could help unite the opposition led by the Congress party, despite Modi's high personal popularity, in the face of criticism he did not deliver jobs for young people and better conditions for farmers.

"We've all voted for Congress this time and our candidate is winning here," said Bishnu Prasad Jalodia, a wheat farmer in Madhya Pradesh, where the Congress was ahead of the BJP and only slightly short of the majority needed to rule.

"BJP ignored us farmers, they ignored those of us at the bottom of the pyramid."

The elections are also a test for Rahul Gandhi, president of the left-of-centre Congress party, who is trying to forge a broad alliance with regional groups and present Modi with his most serious challenge yet, in the election that must be held by May.

In Rajasthan, the Congress was leading in 100 of the 199 seats contested, against 65 for the BJP, according to data in by the early evening from the Election Commission.

In Chhattisgarh, Congress was ahead in 62 of the 90 seats at stake, with the BJP at 13. In Madhya Pradesh, the most important of the five states that held assembly elections over the past few weeks, Congress was leading with 115 seats while BJP had 105 out of 230.

Regional parties were leading in two smaller states that also voted, Telangana in the south and Mizoram in the northeast.

Congress said it was confident of forming governments in all of the three big states. The BJP had been ruling in all three, for three terms in two of them.

The BJP said the state results would not necessarily dictate what happens in next year's general election.

Investors said the BJP had not fared as badly as feared, and nationally it would still likely have an edge over an opposition coalition in the general election.

Markets recovered from sharp early losses, though the central bank governor's resignation on Monday kept investors nervous.

GOODWILL LOST

Local issues usually dominate state polls, but politicians and analysts are seeing the elections as a pointer to the national vote just months away.

"A disappointing set of state election results ... suggests that the ruling national party has lost some goodwill and the risk now is that, in response, fiscal (and potentially even monetary) policy is loosened ahead of the general election when the economy is already running into capacity constraints," London-based economic research consultancy Capital Economics said in a note.

"That said, we maintain our view that the BJP will secure victory in the general election, which would allow PM Modi to get his reform agenda back on track after a lacklustre 2018."

Gandhi, the fourth generation scion of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, has sought to build a coalition of regional groups, some headed by experienced firebrand, ambitious politicians.

Congress has already said it would not name Gandhi, who is seen as lacking experience, as a prime ministerial candidate.

A lawmaker for the BJP said it had erred in focusing its campaign on partisan themes, such as building a Hindu temple at a site disputed by Muslims, instead of offering jobs and growth.

"I knew we would lose in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh but Madhya Pradesh trends have come as a surprise," Sanjay Kakade, a BJP member of parliament told the Reuters partner ANI media outlet.

"We forgot the issue of development that Modi took up in 2014."`

The Bharatiya Janata Party looked set to lose power in the three key states of Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, official vote counts showed on Tuesday, likely handing Prime Minister Narendra Modi his biggest defeat since he took office in 2014, and only months ahead of a general election.

The Bharatiya Janata Party looked set to lose power in the three key states of Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, official vote counts showed on Tuesday, likely handing Prime Minister Narendra Modi his biggest defeat since he took office in 2014, and only months ahead of a general election. The results in the heartland could force the central government run by Modi's BJP to lift spending in the countryside, where more than two-thirds of India's 1.3 billion people live. Political analysts say the BJP's likely defeat underscores rural dismay with the government and could help unite the opposition led by the Congress party, despite Modi's high personal popularity, in the face of criticism he did not deliver jobs for young people and better conditions for farmers. "We've all voted for Congress this time and our candidate is winning here," said Bishnu Prasad Jalodia, a wheat farmer in Madhya Pradesh, where the Congress was ahead of the BJP and only slightly short of the majority needed to rule. "BJP ignored us farmers, they ignored those of us at the bottom of the pyramid." The elections are also a test for Rahul Gandhi, president of the left-of-centre Congress party, who is trying to forge a broad alliance with regional groups and present Modi with his most serious challenge yet, in the election that must be held by May. In Rajasthan, the Congress was leading in 100 of the 199 seats contested, against 65 for the BJP, according to data in by the early evening from the Election Commission. In Chhattisgarh, Congress was ahead in 62 of the 90 seats at stake, with the BJP at 13. In Madhya Pradesh, the most important of the five states that held assembly elections over the past few weeks, Congress was leading with 115 seats while BJP had 105 out of 230. Regional parties were leading in two smaller states that also voted, Telangana in the south and Mizoram in the northeast. Congress said it was confident of forming governments in all of the three big states. The BJP had been ruling in all three, for three terms in two of them. The BJP said the state results would not necessarily dictate what happens in next year's general election. Investors said the BJP had not fared as badly as feared, and nationally it would still likely have an edge over an opposition coalition in the general election. Markets recovered from sharp early losses, though the central bank governor's resignation on Monday kept investors nervous. GOODWILL LOST Local issues usually dominate state polls, but politicians and analysts are seeing the elections as a pointer to the national vote just months away. "A disappointing set of state election results ... suggests that the ruling national party has lost some goodwill and the risk now is that, in response, fiscal (and potentially even monetary) policy is loosened ahead of the general election when the economy is already running into capacity constraints," London-based economic research consultancy Capital Economics said in a note. "That said, we maintain our view that the BJP will secure victory in the general election, which would allow PM Modi to get his reform agenda back on track after a lacklustre 2018." Gandhi, the fourth generation scion of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, has sought to build a coalition of regional groups, some headed by experienced firebrand, ambitious politicians. Congress has already said it would not name Gandhi, who is seen as lacking experience, as a prime ministerial candidate. A lawmaker for the BJP said it had erred in focusing its campaign on partisan themes, such as building a Hindu temple at a site disputed by Muslims, instead of offering jobs and growth. "I knew we would lose in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh but Madhya Pradesh trends have come as a surprise," Sanjay Kakade, a BJP member of parliament told the Reuters partner ANI media outlet. "We forgot the issue of development that Modi took up in 2014."`

Election results could force government to up spending in rural India

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.&nbsp;

Expressing happiness over MNF's victory, party chief Zoramthanga said that his first priority will be to "to impose a prohibition on liquor, repair roads and implement Social Economic Development Programme (SEDP) which is our flagship programme."

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Zoramthanga,MNF(President): We will not have any coalition govt either with BJP or any other ways because my party can form the govt on its own as we have got 26 seats out of 40. We're a part of NEDA(North-East Democratic Alliance)&amp;NDA but we wouldn't like to join Congress or UPA <a href="https://t.co/6oNlOMfnBm">pic.twitter.com/6oNlOMfnBm</a>
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Zoramthanga ruled out the possibility of an alliance and exuded the confidence of forming the government on own.&nbsp;

"We will not have any coalition government either with BJP or any other ways because my party can form the government on its own as we have got 26 seats out of 40. We're a part of NEDA (North-East Democratic Alliance) and NDA but we wouldn't like to join," he added.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, incumbent Mizoram Chief Minister and Congress candidate <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/five-time-mizoram-cm-lal-thanhawla-loses-both-seats-183249">Lal Thanhawla lost</a> from both his home turf Serchhip and Champhai South seat Tuesday, Election Commission sources said, news agency PTI reported.

Lal Thanhawla was defeated in Serchhip by the Zoram People's Movement's (ZPM) chief ministerial candidate Lalduhoma by a margin of 410 votes, they said.

He also lost to TJ Lalnuntluanga, a political novice and Mizo National Front (MNF) nominee, by a margin of 1,049 votes in Champhai South constituency near the Myanmar border.&nbsp;

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.

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. Expressing happiness over MNF's victory, party chief Zoramthanga said that his first priority will be to "to impose a prohibition on liquor, repair roads and implement Social Economic Development Programme (SEDP) which is our flagship programme." Zoramthanga,MNF(President): We will not have any coalition govt either with BJP or any other ways because my party can form the govt on its own as we have got 26 seats out of 40. We're a part of NEDA(North-East Democratic Alliance)&NDA but we wouldn't like to join Congress or UPA pic.twitter.com/6oNlOMfnBm — ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2018 × Zoramthanga ruled out the possibility of an alliance and exuded the confidence of forming the government on own. "We will not have any coalition government either with BJP or any other ways because my party can form the government on its own as we have got 26 seats out of 40. We're a part of NEDA (North-East Democratic Alliance) and NDA but we wouldn't like to join," he added. Meanwhile, incumbent Mizoram Chief Minister and Congress candidate Lal Thanhawla lost from both his home turf Serchhip and Champhai South seat Tuesday, Election Commission sources said, news agency PTI reported. Lal Thanhawla was defeated in Serchhip by the Zoram People's Movement's (ZPM) chief ministerial candidate Lalduhoma by a margin of 410 votes, they said. He also lost to TJ Lalnuntluanga, a political novice and Mizo National Front (MNF) nominee, by a margin of 1,049 votes in Champhai South constituency near the Myanmar border.

After winning Mizoram, MNF chief says first priority is 'to impose prohibition, repair roads'

The Bharatiya Janata Party believed it would retain Rajasthan with a clear victory. The Congress was confident that it would sweep the election. The voters of the state had a somewhat different plan, which became known on December 11.&nbsp;

The BJP was denied a simple majority and the Congress was deprived of an overwhelming win. In the days to come, both parties will find arguments to either amplify their success or underplay their failure. Facts are facts, though, and none of the two contestants can escape them.&nbsp;

Facts about the Congress. First, the party failed to capitalise on the level of discontent that existed among the electorate against the Vasundhara Raje regime. Second, the Congress seemed to have exaggerated the extent of that discontent. Third, it could not optimally exploit the departure of rebel leaders from the BJP who contested on their own, as also those who joined the Congress. Fourth, it did not succeed in forging a winnable caste equation. And last, the formidable-looking Ashok Gehlot-Sachin Pilot combination does not seem to have worked on the ground. &nbsp;

Facts about the BJP are as follows: First, it avoided a washout of the kind the party appears to be on course in Chhattisgarh. Second, it has suffered a massive dent since its 2013 grand victory. Third, it did manage to contain to some extent the damage of anti-incumbency. And fourth, while its tallest leader Vasundhara Raje has lost credibility, it’s far from being a humiliating loss.&nbsp;

But electoral politics is all about forming a government, and the Congress has the edge. Not only does it has the larger number of seats, but it also stands a better chance of winning over the support of the ‘others’ that have won — they are neither with the BJP nor with the Congress.&nbsp;

Introspection would be called for, from both sides. How is that the Congress could not decisively defeat the Vasundhara Raje regime despite the well-accepted perception that her regime had become extremely unpopular for a variety of reasons? It could be the failure of the state’s tall leaders entrusted with the task of crafting a major Congress win. Although for the record, both Pilot and Gehlot were working shoulder to shoulder to defeat the BJP, the ground situation was not apparently as rosy, with workers of the two camps working more as rivals than colleagues. Equally, it is possible that the Congress had hyped up the existing dissatisfaction of the voters with the BJP and fed that version all over, including the media. &nbsp;

Though it is early hours yet to fully understand the caste-wise voting pattern, it is clear from the results that the Congress did not gain the unqualified support of every section of the caste rainbow. Neither the Gujjars nor the Jats nor the Meenas nor the Rajputs seem to have lock, stock and barrel dumped the BJP and aligned with the Congress.&nbsp;

Perhaps only the Muslim community remained firm behind the Congress. This calls for some questions that the Congress must itself raise an answer. Why is it that it could not succeed in its caste calculations to the extent it had wanted? It had leaders from various communities right in the front ranks of the battle — Gehlot, Pilot and the new recruit, Manvendra Singh. &nbsp;

The BJP, on the other hand, can take solace in the belief that it has been beaten but not mauled. That’s no consolation, really. &nbsp;The party failed to retain an important north Indian state, a state that had given all its 26 Lok Sabha seats to the party in 2014. Although it had won decisively in the 2013 Assembly election, in five years it managed to fritter away much of the goodwill it had gained. Vasundhara Raje, who had been seen as a saviour five years ago, ended up as, to some extent, a liability for the party in Rajasthan. She earned the reputation of being aloof, even arrogant. Far from visibly seeking to redress grievances of the people, she was not even perceived to have been sympathetic to those grievances. &nbsp;

If there is a lesson here for the BJP, there is also the same lesson for the incoming regime. Get caste mathematics right, always remain connected with the people, at least appear to be doing something to reduce the sufferings of the electorate, and strengthen the party organisation. If these lessons are not learnt, then five years from now, Rajasthan will do what it has been doing since the last two decades — vote out the incumbent and bring in its rival.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Bharatiya Janata Party believed it would retain Rajasthan with a clear victory. The Congress was confident that it would sweep the election. The voters of the state had a somewhat different plan, which became known on December 11.

The Bharatiya Janata Party believed it would retain Rajasthan with a clear victory. The Congress was confident that it would sweep the election. The voters of the state had a somewhat different plan, which became known on December 11. The BJP was denied a simple majority and the Congress was deprived of an overwhelming win. In the days to come, both parties will find arguments to either amplify their success or underplay their failure. Facts are facts, though, and none of the two contestants can escape them. Facts about the Congress. First, the party failed to capitalise on the level of discontent that existed among the electorate against the Vasundhara Raje regime. Second, the Congress seemed to have exaggerated the extent of that discontent. Third, it could not optimally exploit the departure of rebel leaders from the BJP who contested on their own, as also those who joined the Congress. Fourth, it did not succeed in forging a winnable caste equation. And last, the formidable-looking Ashok Gehlot-Sachin Pilot combination does not seem to have worked on the ground. Facts about the BJP are as follows: First, it avoided a washout of the kind the party appears to be on course in Chhattisgarh. Second, it has suffered a massive dent since its 2013 grand victory. Third, it did manage to contain to some extent the damage of anti-incumbency. And fourth, while its tallest leader Vasundhara Raje has lost credibility, it’s far from being a humiliating loss. But electoral politics is all about forming a government, and the Congress has the edge. Not only does it has the larger number of seats, but it also stands a better chance of winning over the support of the ‘others’ that have won — they are neither with the BJP nor with the Congress. Introspection would be called for, from both sides. How is that the Congress could not decisively defeat the Vasundhara Raje regime despite the well-accepted perception that her regime had become extremely unpopular for a variety of reasons? It could be the failure of the state’s tall leaders entrusted with the task of crafting a major Congress win. Although for the record, both Pilot and Gehlot were working shoulder to shoulder to defeat the BJP, the ground situation was not apparently as rosy, with workers of the two camps working more as rivals than colleagues. Equally, it is possible that the Congress had hyped up the existing dissatisfaction of the voters with the BJP and fed that version all over, including the media. Though it is early hours yet to fully understand the caste-wise voting pattern, it is clear from the results that the Congress did not gain the unqualified support of every section of the caste rainbow. Neither the Gujjars nor the Jats nor the Meenas nor the Rajputs seem to have lock, stock and barrel dumped the BJP and aligned with the Congress. Perhaps only the Muslim community remained firm behind the Congress. This calls for some questions that the Congress must itself raise an answer. Why is it that it could not succeed in its caste calculations to the extent it had wanted? It had leaders from various communities right in the front ranks of the battle — Gehlot, Pilot and the new recruit, Manvendra Singh. The BJP, on the other hand, can take solace in the belief that it has been beaten but not mauled. That’s no consolation, really. The party failed to retain an important north Indian state, a state that had given all its 26 Lok Sabha seats to the party in 2014. Although it had won decisively in the 2013 Assembly election, in five years it managed to fritter away much of the goodwill it had gained. Vasundhara Raje, who had been seen as a saviour five years ago, ended up as, to some extent, a liability for the party in Rajasthan. She earned the reputation of being aloof, even arrogant. Far from visibly seeking to redress grievances of the people, she was not even perceived to have been sympathetic to those grievances. If there is a lesson here for the BJP, there is also the same lesson for the incoming regime. Get caste mathematics right, always remain connected with the people, at least appear to be doing something to reduce the sufferings of the electorate, and strengthen the party organisation. If these lessons are not learnt, then five years from now, Rajasthan will do what it has been doing since the last two decades — vote out the incumbent and bring in its rival. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Assembly election results 2018: In Rajasthan, incoming Congress regime has a lesson to learn from BJP

Assembly Elections 2018: What did the social media had to say ?

Congress ends Raman Singh's record run in Chhattisgarh

MNF gets clear lead, CM Lal Thanhawla loses in both seats

KCR's early election gamble paid off?

Madhya Pradesh election results drama continues

A gift to Rahul Gandhi, says Sachin Pilot on Rajasthan trends

"Modi era being challenged", says Varghese George

Indian markets recouped sharp early losses by mid-morning on Tuesday as election results in three states were not as poor for the ruling party as some expected, but anxiety about the central bank governor's resignation kept sentiment subdued.

Markets initially plunged in reaction to Reserve Bank of India Governor Urjit Patel's unexpected resignation late on Monday, which shocked many investors.

"Patel's resignation bodes poorly for macroeconomic and financial stability in India," Fitch Solutions Macro Research, a unit of Fitch Group, said in a note on Tuesday.

The Nifty tumbled as much as 1.47 per cent, but at 0752 GMT was up 0.5 per cent.

The rupee had dropped 1.5 per cent to a one-month low of 72.4625 per dollar in early trade, but pared most losses to be 71.76 versus its previous close of 71.35.

It touched the day's high of 71.68 with some dollar-selling intervention by state-run banks on behalf of the RBI also helping.

The benchmark 10-year bond yield was down 7 basis points on the day at 7.52 per cent after initially rising as high as 7.71 per cent.

"Today's reaction by the markets is surprising to some, but it's a classic 'buy the rumour, sell the news' reaction. The news is already in the market price," said Saurabh Jain, assistant vice-president, research, at SMC Global Securities in New Delhi.

Patel's resignation came after a month-long tussle over policy with the government that has raised concerns about the central bank's independence as a national election nears.

Government officials had been pressuring the RBI to allow some public sector banks laden with bad debt to lend more easily, and pushed for the central bank to hand over some of its surplus reserves to help fund the fiscal deficit.

ELEVATED VOLATILITY?

"Though both parties have valid arguments on their points of view, the sudden resignation raises questions on whether the Indian government is trying to restrain public institutions and undermine RBI's independence," said Anuja Munde, portfolio manager at Nikko Asset Management in Singapore.

"This resignation, along with political uncertainty, will keep the market volatility elevated in the run-up to the 2019 general elections."

But after early Tuesday tumble in the wake of Patel's resignation, and as election results from three Indian states came in, the market changed course.

A senior trader at a large state-run bank said they had been buying debt as all negative news that had been feared has been delivered.

"Now we have to look forward. Markets are now being governed by macro fundamentals which look good as oil is stable and no rate hikes are expected any time soon."

The ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) could lose power in the three key states, four TV networks said on Tuesday, citing votecount leads, potentially handing Prime Minister Narendra Modi his biggest defeat since he took office in 2014, and months ahead of a general election.

Still, some analysts thought the results would be worse for Modi and BJP.

"Uncertainty from the elections seem to be behind us now. If it had been a whitewash, with high margins of defeat for the BJP, then markets would have been under more pressure," said S Krishnakumar, chief investment officer for equities at Sundaram Asset Management in Chennai.

Indian markets recouped sharp early losses by mid-morning on Tuesday as election results in three states were not as poor for the ruling party as some expected, but anxiety about the central bank governor's resignation kept sentiment subdued.

Indian markets recouped sharp early losses by mid-morning on Tuesday as election results in three states were not as poor for the ruling party as some expected, but anxiety about the central bank governor's resignation kept sentiment subdued. Markets initially plunged in reaction to Reserve Bank of India Governor Urjit Patel's unexpected resignation late on Monday, which shocked many investors. "Patel's resignation bodes poorly for macroeconomic and financial stability in India," Fitch Solutions Macro Research, a unit of Fitch Group, said in a note on Tuesday. The Nifty tumbled as much as 1.47 per cent, but at 0752 GMT was up 0.5 per cent. The rupee had dropped 1.5 per cent to a one-month low of 72.4625 per dollar in early trade, but pared most losses to be 71.76 versus its previous close of 71.35. It touched the day's high of 71.68 with some dollar-selling intervention by state-run banks on behalf of the RBI also helping. The benchmark 10-year bond yield was down 7 basis points on the day at 7.52 per cent after initially rising as high as 7.71 per cent. "Today's reaction by the markets is surprising to some, but it's a classic 'buy the rumour, sell the news' reaction. The news is already in the market price," said Saurabh Jain, assistant vice-president, research, at SMC Global Securities in New Delhi. Patel's resignation came after a month-long tussle over policy with the government that has raised concerns about the central bank's independence as a national election nears. Government officials had been pressuring the RBI to allow some public sector banks laden with bad debt to lend more easily, and pushed for the central bank to hand over some of its surplus reserves to help fund the fiscal deficit. ELEVATED VOLATILITY? "Though both parties have valid arguments on their points of view, the sudden resignation raises questions on whether the Indian government is trying to restrain public institutions and undermine RBI's independence," said Anuja Munde, portfolio manager at Nikko Asset Management in Singapore. "This resignation, along with political uncertainty, will keep the market volatility elevated in the run-up to the 2019 general elections." But after early Tuesday tumble in the wake of Patel's resignation, and as election results from three Indian states came in, the market changed course. A senior trader at a large state-run bank said they had been buying debt as all negative news that had been feared has been delivered. "Now we have to look forward. Markets are now being governed by macro fundamentals which look good as oil is stable and no rate hikes are expected any time soon." The ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) could lose power in the three key states, four TV networks said on Tuesday, citing votecount leads, potentially handing Prime Minister Narendra Modi his biggest defeat since he took office in 2014, and months ahead of a general election. Still, some analysts thought the results would be worse for Modi and BJP. "Uncertainty from the elections seem to be behind us now. If it had been a whitewash, with high margins of defeat for the BJP, then markets would have been under more pressure," said S Krishnakumar, chief investment officer for equities at Sundaram Asset Management in Chennai.

Markets stage sharp recovery after early slide, aided by state election results

They made issues out of non-issues, that's why about to lose, says Gehlot

The electoral fate of over 8,500 candidates of five states which went to polls recently is sealed in over 1.74 lakh EVMs which will be opened Tuesday.

These electronic voting machines are now stored in over 670 strongrooms across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and Telangana.

A total of 1,74,724 EVMs were used at polling stations in the five states.

The maximum 65,367 machines were used in Madhya Pradesh.

A little over 8,500 candidates were in the fray in the five states with 2,907 in Madhya Pradesh.

After voting, the EVMs have been stored in strongrooms.

According to the Election Commission, there is one strongroom earmarked for every assembly seat.

EVMs which were kept as a reserve or had developed snag are kept in a separate facility.

A total of 679 assembly seats in the five states were to go for election, but due to the death of a candidate in Rajasthan, polling was countermanded on one seat.

The strongrooms will be opened Tuesday in the presence of candidates or their representatives from where machines will be taken to counting centres.

The results will set the tone for the 2019 Lok Sabha election.

These five Assembly elections would be crucial for the BJP as it gears up for the Lok Sabha election next year and is in power in three of these states- Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

While the Congress is in power in Mizoram, Telangana Rashtra Samithi ruled Telangana before the Assembly was dissolved.

The BJP is trying for a fourth term in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and to retain power in Rajasthan.

The three states also played a significant role for the BJP in the 2014 general election, when it had won 62 out of the 65 Lok Sabha seats in these three states.

The elections also hold significance for the Congress, which is out to challenge the BJP's rule in the states even while protecting its last bastion in the North-East.

Mizoram is the only remaining state in the North-East, which is not under the rule of BJP-led NDA.

The eight North-East states together have 25 Lok Sabha seats.

The electoral fate of over 8,500 candidates of five states which went to polls recently is sealed in over 1.74 lakh EVMs which will be opened Tuesday. These electronic voting machines are now stored in over 670 strongrooms across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and Telangana.

The electoral fate of over 8,500 candidates of five states which went to polls recently is sealed in over 1.74 lakh EVMs which will be opened Tuesday. These electronic voting machines are now stored in over 670 strongrooms across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and Telangana. A total of 1,74,724 EVMs were used at polling stations in the five states. The maximum 65,367 machines were used in Madhya Pradesh. A little over 8,500 candidates were in the fray in the five states with 2,907 in Madhya Pradesh. After voting, the EVMs have been stored in strongrooms. According to the Election Commission, there is one strongroom earmarked for every assembly seat. EVMs which were kept as a reserve or had developed snag are kept in a separate facility. A total of 679 assembly seats in the five states were to go for election, but due to the death of a candidate in Rajasthan, polling was countermanded on one seat. The strongrooms will be opened Tuesday in the presence of candidates or their representatives from where machines will be taken to counting centres. The results will set the tone for the 2019 Lok Sabha election. These five Assembly elections would be crucial for the BJP as it gears up for the Lok Sabha election next year and is in power in three of these states- Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. While the Congress is in power in Mizoram, Telangana Rashtra Samithi ruled Telangana before the Assembly was dissolved. The BJP is trying for a fourth term in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and to retain power in Rajasthan. The three states also played a significant role for the BJP in the 2014 general election, when it had won 62 out of the 65 Lok Sabha seats in these three states. The elections also hold significance for the Congress, which is out to challenge the BJP's rule in the states even while protecting its last bastion in the North-East. Mizoram is the only remaining state in the North-East, which is not under the rule of BJP-led NDA. The eight North-East states together have 25 Lok Sabha seats.

Over 1.74 lakh EVMs store fate of 8,500 candidates of five states

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday said that he will meet TRS chief K Chandrashekhar Rao again tomorrow.&nbsp;

While speaking to the reporters, Owaisi noted that he wants all 8 candidates from his party to win and KCR to become Telangana's chief minister.&nbsp;

"I’ll meet him (K Chandrashekhar Rao) again tomorrow, I want all my 8 candidates to win and we want KCR to become Chief Minister of Telangana," he said.&nbsp;

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AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi: I’ll meet him (K Chandrashekhar Rao) again tomorrow, I want all my 8 candidates to win and we want KCR to become Chief Minister of Telangana <a href="https://t.co/LgVj5Wmuqk">pic.twitter.com/LgVj5Wmuqk</a>
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<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/trs-will-form-govt-in-telangana-on-its-own-asaduddin-owaisi-182779">On Sunday, Owaisi had said</a> that Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) is going to form the government in the state with a clear majority.

Speaking to ANI, Owaisi said: "The TRS is going to form the government in Telangana on their own strength; all the speculations which are being raised are baseless. We should wait for the result. I don't want to comment on the Congress welcoming the AIMIM to Praja Kutami."

Nearly all the exit polls have predicted incumbent caretaker Chief Minister Rao-led TRS retaining another term with a clear majority.&nbsp;

The counting of votes in five poll-bound states, including Telangana, will take place on December 11.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday said that he will meet TRS chief K Chandrashekhar Rao again tomorrow. While speaking to the reporters, Owaisi noted that he wants all 8 candidates from his party to win and KCR to become Telangana's chief minister.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday said that he will meet TRS chief K Chandrashekhar Rao again tomorrow. While speaking to the reporters, Owaisi noted that he wants all 8 candidates from his party to win and KCR to become Telangana's chief minister. "I’ll meet him (K Chandrashekhar Rao) again tomorrow, I want all my 8 candidates to win and we want KCR to become Chief Minister of Telangana," he said. AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi: I’ll meet him (K Chandrashekhar Rao) again tomorrow, I want all my 8 candidates to win and we want KCR to become Chief Minister of Telangana pic.twitter.com/LgVj5Wmuqk — ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2018 × On Sunday, Owaisi had said that Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) is going to form the government in the state with a clear majority. Speaking to ANI, Owaisi said: "The TRS is going to form the government in Telangana on their own strength; all the speculations which are being raised are baseless. We should wait for the result. I don't want to comment on the Congress welcoming the AIMIM to Praja Kutami." Nearly all the exit polls have predicted incumbent caretaker Chief Minister Rao-led TRS retaining another term with a clear majority. The counting of votes in five poll-bound states, including Telangana, will take place on December 11.

Want all my candidates to win, KCR to become Telangana's chief minister: Owaisi

Fate of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan's bid for his fourth term in office will be known on Tuesday with counting of votes for the state's 230 assembly seats scheduled to begin at 8 am, while the challenger Congress expects to return to power after a 15-year gap.

Exit polls have predicted a close race between the BJP and the Congress, though leaders from both parties have routinely claimed their respective victories.

While Chouhan has called himself the "biggest surveyor" in claiming a win for the BJP, senior Congress leader Kamal Nath said his party would get at least 140 seats to oust the saffron party and form a majority government.

The state went to polls on November 28 with a voter turnout of about 75 per cent. As many as 2,899 candidates are in fray for 230 seats.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer V L Kantha Rao told reporters that counting would begin at 8 AM with the postal ballots at 51 centres across the state.

"EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines) would be taken up for counting at 8.30 AM. Counting of postal ballots would continue simultaneously," he said.

Rao said 15,000 employees have been drafted for the counting process which will be monitored through 1200 CCTV cameras installed at 51 centres across the state.

The CEO said the maximum rounds of counting -- 32 in total -- would take place in the Indore-5 assembly segment due to the highest number of booths there.

The lowest number of counting rounds (15) would be held in Kotma seat in Anuppur district, he added.

Indore-5 seat is currently held by the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) while the Congress represents Kotma constituency.

Rao further said the results of every round would be declared separately before the start of the subsequent rounds.

Though all exit polls predicted a slide in the BJP's fortunes, some of them have gone to the extent of giving a clear majority to the Congress.&nbsp;

In 2013 elections, the BJP had won 165 of total 230 seats, followed by the Congress (58), BSP (4) and Independents 3.

The campaign for the polls was a high-decibel one with star campaigners like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi mounting vitriolic attacks in their respective speeches.

The prime minister had addressed ten public meetings across all regions of the state while BJP president Amit Shah held 26 public meetings and three road shows, said state BJP spokesman Rajnish Agrawal.

Chief Minister Chouhan addressed 158 public meetings between October 31 and November 25.

Before that from July till October, Chouhan travelled to 187 assembly constituencies as part of his public outreach campaign titled "Jan Ashirwad Yatra". 
On the other hand, Rahul Gandhi addressed 22 public rallies and took part in about a dozen road shows.

"State unit Congress president Kamal Nath addressed over 60 public meetings during this period", the state Congress spokesperson Bhupendra Gupta said.

State Congress Campaign Committee chairman Jyotiraditya Scindia addressed 110 public meetings and participated in 12 road shows in 15 days preceding polling.

Scindia had earlier also held "Parivartan" rallies across 45 districts.

The chief minister, in office since 2005, is himself seeking re-election from Budhni in Sehore district. He is pitted against Congress candidate Arun Yadav, a former minister.

Of the 5.04-crore registered voters, 3.78-crores (75.05 per cent) had exercised their franchise.

The BJP fielded candidates for all 230 seats while the Congress fielded 229 nominees and left one seat (Jatara in Tikamgarh district) for its ally Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD) of Sharad Yadav.

Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) fielded 227 candidates, while the Samajwadi Party (SP) contested 51 seats.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also fielded 208 candidates in its maiden elections in Madhya Pradesh.

A total of 1,094 candidates contested as independents.

During campaigning, the Congress, which has been out of power since 2003, tried to build a narrative against the BJP by raising issues like agrarian distress, the Vyapam scam and the anti-incumbency factor.

Rahul Gandhi had announced that Congress would waive crop loans of farmers within ten days of coming to power.

The BJP had ruled out anti-incumbency and mainly banked on the "development works" carried out by the chief minister in the last 15 years.&nbsp;

Fate of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan's bid for his fourth term in office will be known on Tuesday with counting of votes for the state's 230 assembly seats scheduled to begin at 8 am, while the challenger Congress expects to return to power after a 15-year gap.

Fate of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan's bid for his fourth term in office will be known on Tuesday with counting of votes for the state's 230 assembly seats scheduled to begin at 8 am, while the challenger Congress expects to return to power after a 15-year gap. Exit polls have predicted a close race between the BJP and the Congress, though leaders from both parties have routinely claimed their respective victories. While Chouhan has called himself the "biggest surveyor" in claiming a win for the BJP, senior Congress leader Kamal Nath said his party would get at least 140 seats to oust the saffron party and form a majority government. The state went to polls on November 28 with a voter turnout of about 75 per cent. As many as 2,899 candidates are in fray for 230 seats. Madhya Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer V L Kantha Rao told reporters that counting would begin at 8 AM with the postal ballots at 51 centres across the state. "EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines) would be taken up for counting at 8.30 AM. Counting of postal ballots would continue simultaneously," he said. Rao said 15,000 employees have been drafted for the counting process which will be monitored through 1200 CCTV cameras installed at 51 centres across the state. The CEO said the maximum rounds of counting -- 32 in total -- would take place in the Indore-5 assembly segment due to the highest number of booths there. The lowest number of counting rounds (15) would be held in Kotma seat in Anuppur district, he added. Indore-5 seat is currently held by the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) while the Congress represents Kotma constituency. Rao further said the results of every round would be declared separately before the start of the subsequent rounds. Though all exit polls predicted a slide in the BJP's fortunes, some of them have gone to the extent of giving a clear majority to the Congress. In 2013 elections, the BJP had won 165 of total 230 seats, followed by the Congress (58), BSP (4) and Independents 3. The campaign for the polls was a high-decibel one with star campaigners like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi mounting vitriolic attacks in their respective speeches. The prime minister had addressed ten public meetings across all regions of the state while BJP president Amit Shah held 26 public meetings and three road shows, said state BJP spokesman Rajnish Agrawal. Chief Minister Chouhan addressed 158 public meetings between October 31 and November 25. Before that from July till October, Chouhan travelled to 187 assembly constituencies as part of his public outreach campaign titled "Jan Ashirwad Yatra". On the other hand, Rahul Gandhi addressed 22 public rallies and took part in about a dozen road shows. "State unit Congress president Kamal Nath addressed over 60 public meetings during this period", the state Congress spokesperson Bhupendra Gupta said. State Congress Campaign Committee chairman Jyotiraditya Scindia addressed 110 public meetings and participated in 12 road shows in 15 days preceding polling. Scindia had earlier also held "Parivartan" rallies across 45 districts. The chief minister, in office since 2005, is himself seeking re-election from Budhni in Sehore district. He is pitted against Congress candidate Arun Yadav, a former minister. Of the 5.04-crore registered voters, 3.78-crores (75.05 per cent) had exercised their franchise. The BJP fielded candidates for all 230 seats while the Congress fielded 229 nominees and left one seat (Jatara in Tikamgarh district) for its ally Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD) of Sharad Yadav. Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) fielded 227 candidates, while the Samajwadi Party (SP) contested 51 seats. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also fielded 208 candidates in its maiden elections in Madhya Pradesh. A total of 1,094 candidates contested as independents. During campaigning, the Congress, which has been out of power since 2003, tried to build a narrative against the BJP by raising issues like agrarian distress, the Vyapam scam and the anti-incumbency factor. Rahul Gandhi had announced that Congress would waive crop loans of farmers within ten days of coming to power. The BJP had ruled out anti-incumbency and mainly banked on the "development works" carried out by the chief minister in the last 15 years.

MP Assembly polls: Counting of votes to begin at 8am; CEO says all arrangements in place

The results of the electoral battle in five states will be declared on Tuesday. According to reports, exit polls for the recently concluded assembly elections have predicted a tight finish between the ruling BJP and the Congress in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and a win for the opposition party in Rajasthan.

Experts bill the 5-state assembly elections as semi-finals before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls -- a major test for the two biggest political parties in the country, the BJP and the Congress.&nbsp;

The exit polls have also predicted a clean-sweep for KC Rao's TRS in Telangana, whereas the Mizo National Front is predicted to have an edge in Mizoram's electoral battle, throwing up a hung assembly.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/what-exit-polls-say-in-5-state-elections-182303">What exit polls say in 5 state elections</a>

Reports suggest the trends to begin pouring in as early as 8am. By noon, the larger picture of the results in the poll-bound states is likely to emerge.&nbsp;

Tuesday's results are set to test the hold of the incumbent governments in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Mizoram and Telangana and examine the potency of the Opposition's challenge.

The BJP holds power in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan at present, however, the exit polls hint at the Congress putting up a tough fight to change the game in its favour in the states with incumbent BJP governments.

These assembly elections are being seen as crucial for the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha elections as it is in power in three of these states.

The saffron party is trying for a fourth term in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and is seeking to retain power in Rajasthan. The three states also played a significant role for the BJP in the 2014 general elections, when it had won 62 out of the 65 Lok Sabha seats in these three states.

The elections are also significant for Congress, which is out to challenge the BJP's rule in three states and protect its last bastion in the North-East, where Mizoram remains the only state not (rpt) not under the rule of BJP-led NDA. The eight North-East states together have 25 Lok Sabha seats.

In the multi-phase polling, Chhattisgarh voted on November 12 (18 seats) and November 20 (72 seats); Madhya Pradesh (230 seats) and Mizoram (40 seats) on November 28; and Rajasthan (199 seats) and Telangana (119 seats) on December 7.

(With inputs from PTI)

The results of the electoral battle in five states will be declared on Tuesday. According to reports, exit polls for the recently concluded assembly elections have predicted a tight finish between the ruling BJP and the Congress in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and a win for the opposition party in Rajasthan.

The results of the electoral battle in five states will be declared on Tuesday. According to reports, exit polls for the recently concluded assembly elections have predicted a tight finish between the ruling BJP and the Congress in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and a win for the opposition party in Rajasthan. Experts bill the 5-state assembly elections as semi-finals before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls -- a major test for the two biggest political parties in the country, the BJP and the Congress. The exit polls have also predicted a clean-sweep for KC Rao's TRS in Telangana, whereas the Mizo National Front is predicted to have an edge in Mizoram's electoral battle, throwing up a hung assembly. Also read: What exit polls say in 5 state elections Reports suggest the trends to begin pouring in as early as 8am. By noon, the larger picture of the results in the poll-bound states is likely to emerge. Tuesday's results are set to test the hold of the incumbent governments in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Mizoram and Telangana and examine the potency of the Opposition's challenge. The BJP holds power in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan at present, however, the exit polls hint at the Congress putting up a tough fight to change the game in its favour in the states with incumbent BJP governments. These assembly elections are being seen as crucial for the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha elections as it is in power in three of these states. The saffron party is trying for a fourth term in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and is seeking to retain power in Rajasthan. The three states also played a significant role for the BJP in the 2014 general elections, when it had won 62 out of the 65 Lok Sabha seats in these three states. The elections are also significant for Congress, which is out to challenge the BJP's rule in three states and protect its last bastion in the North-East, where Mizoram remains the only state not (rpt) not under the rule of BJP-led NDA. The eight North-East states together have 25 Lok Sabha seats. In the multi-phase polling, Chhattisgarh voted on November 12 (18 seats) and November 20 (72 seats); Madhya Pradesh (230 seats) and Mizoram (40 seats) on November 28; and Rajasthan (199 seats) and Telangana (119 seats) on December 7. (With inputs from PTI)

Billed as semi-finals to 2019 Lok Sabha polls, election results in five states due on Tuesday