Rahul Gandhi on Election Results: Time for a change, people have sent a clear message that they’re unhappy
Assembly Election Results 2018 Live Coverage: Follow Vidhan Sabha Chunav results here.
The Congress was leading in the BJP-ruled states of Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh and was locked in a close fight in Madhya Pradesh while the TRS forged ahead in Telangana and the MNF in Mizoram, trends indicated on Tuesday as votes for elections in the five states were counted.
Counting of votes is underway for 679 assembly seats in the five states - Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and Telangana. Polling was countermanded on one seat due to the death of a candidate in Rajasthan.
Rahul Gandhi said at presser in Cong HQ: “We have beaten the BJP in MP, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. I want to thank the chief ministers who have worked in these states fir the work done over their terms. We now have a lot of work to do – for the youth of the states, farmers, shopkeepers. We are going to provide these states with a government they can be proud of. Central question being asked by the youth is how does the government give them jobs? There is a feeling amongst the people that what was promised by Mr Modi wasn’t delivered. Want to thank all the people who have supported the Congress party, it is a victory of the Congress workers who has fought under difficult circumstances."
He added: "With a resurgent Congress party, it will become very difficult for the BJP and the PM to win the next elections; jobs and farmers' problems are the central issues. There is a feeling that what the PM had promised about the economy hasn’t been fulfilled. The opposition is united and will fight together. Ideology of the SP, BSP is different from the BJP and is more aligned to Congress. No issue over chief minister - that will happen smoothly”
Rahul Gandhi added: “EVM question is a generic query - there are problems with EVMs universally and even if we have won these polls, there is a central issue that remains. If the EVMS are manipulated, then elections can be manipulated. US and other countries have said they don’t want an EVM and the question on EVMs isn't off the table.”
He added: “PM was elected on three platforms -- employment, corruption and farmers. Now people are asking what has been done -- corruption in the Rafale deal is a reality and that will come out.”
In Madhya Pradesh, the picture is changing minute to minute, in an electoral exercise which is being seen as a semi-final to 2019.
In Rajasthan the party has avoided naming a chief ministerial candidate, to ensure the faction-ridden state leadership remains united.
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 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.
► Exit poll prediction
Exit polls pointed to a close contest for the Congress and the BJP in Madhya Pradesh, where the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP government has been in power for the past 15 years, with a majority of them predicting an edge for the Congress.
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Assembly Election Results 2018 Live Coverage: Follow Vidhan Sabha Chunav results here.
Raman Singh takes responsbility for loss and resigns
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► TRS heads for landslide in Telangana
The ruling TRS will form its second successive government in Telangana and was heading for a landslide with its candidates winning 53 seats and leading in 35 others, in a resounding endorsement of its chief K Chandrasekhar Rao's popularity.
► AIMIM wins 2 seats, leads in 4 in Hyderabad
AIMIM bagged two seats while leading in four others in the city as per the latest trends in the counting of votes for the Telangana assembly elections.
AIMIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi won from Chandrayangutta constituency for the fifth time in a row, defeating his nearest BJP rival Syed Shehjadi by a margin of over 80,000 votes.
People are with us in our fight against BJP. These five states results will help form a strong alternative to the BJP: Chandrababu Naidu
► "We are grateful to Rahul Gandhi"
“People of Chhattisgarh took the fight in their own hands. We are grateful to Rahul Gandhi, we fought for the people. We got more seats than expected. high command will decide who will be CM,” said Chhattisgarh Congress President Bhupesh Baghel as he arrived at Congress office in Raipur.
► Assembly polls: Can't win polls by hurting upper castes, says BJP's UP MLA
As votes were counted in five states, a BJP legislator Surendra Singh in UP blamed amendments to the SC/ST Act for the party's poor show and said it can't win elections by hurting sentiments of upper castes.
"The BJP cannot register victory in elections by hurting the sentiments of the savarna (upper castes). The decisions to bring amendments in the SC/ST Act has proved to be suicidal," Singh told reporters.
AIMIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi wins from Chandrayangutta constituency in Telangana for fifth time in a row. Defeats nearest BJP rival Syed Shehjadi by a margin of over 80,000 votes.
I knew we would lose in Rajasthan & Chhattisgarh but MP trends have come as a surprise. I think we forgot the issue of development that Modi took up in 2014. Ram Mandir, statues & name changing became the focus: Sanjay Kakade, BJP Rajya Sabha MP
Cong-led alliance needs introspection on failure: TDP
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) said 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.
Rajasthan: Congress maintains strong lead, in talks with independents
The Congress party initiated talks with Independents for a possible alliance, in case they fall short of the majority mark in the Assembly elections.
Sachin Pilot, one of the chief ministership hopefuls of Congress, stated that the party is confident of a majority but is still in touch with 'like-minded and anti-BJP parties'.
"We are moving towards a full majority and I am sure it will be clear once final numbers are in, but still we welcome all like-minded and anti-BJP parties to support us and we are in touch," the state Congress president said on Tuesday.
#TelanganaElections2018 Trends | Total seats: 119
TRS - 92 | Congress - 16 | AIMIM - 5 | BJP - 2 | TDP - 2 | Others - 2
Happy that BJP is losing in Chhattisgarh: Ajit Jogi
With trends indicating a win for the Congress in Chhattisgarh, former chief minister Ajit Jogi said on Tuesday that he was "happy" with the "results" and that people chose the party because they found it the most viable alternative to the BJP.
Jogi, who was in the Congress before he floated his own party, said the assembly results would help his party emerge as a third front in the state.
"I am happy with the results as the BJP is losing," he said.
Chhattisgarh: Five ministers in the Raman Singh-led BJP government trailing
Brijmohan Agrawal (Raipur City South), Kedar Kashyap (Narayanpur constituency), Mahesh Gagda (Bijapur), Dayaldas Baghel (Nawagarh) and Amar Agrawal (Bilaspur) - are trailing, as per trends in the state Assembly polls.
However, state presidents of the BJP and the Congress - Dharamlal Kaushik and Bhupesh Baghel -were leading from Bilha and Patan seats respectively.
► Cong will form govt in Rajasthan; Rahul, MLAs will take call on CM post: Ashok Gehlot
Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said Tuesday that he was confident that his party will form the government in Rajasthan and decision on the chief minister's post will be taken by party president Rahul Gandhi.
He also credited Gandhi for the party's good performance in all the five states, including Rajasthan.
"We are confident that the Congress will get a clear majority and will for its government in Rajasthan," Gehlot told PTI.
I admit that the results are not as per our expectations. The party will certainly do an aatma chintan ( introduction): BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra
In both MP and Chattisgarh, anti-incumbancy was set in after 15 years of BJP rule. But despite that the BJP has given a very strong fight: BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra
Mamata Banerjee reacts to Assembly Election results in 5 States
People voted against BJP. This is the people’s verdict and the victory of the people of this country. The victory of democracy and victory against injustice, atrocities, destruction of institutions, misuse of agencies, no work for poor people, farmers, youth, Dalits, SC, ST, OBC, minorities and general caste.
Semifinal proves that BJP is nowhere in all the states. This is a real democratic indication of 2019 final match. Ultimately, people are always the ‘man of the match’ of democracy. My congrats to the winners, tweeted Mamata.
"Let us cherish the ‘idea of India’ for which our freedom fighters laid down their lives. Our people and our great institutions must strive to remain “independent”, in the true sense of the word," she said.
Victory of democracy and victory against injustice, atrocities, destruction of institutions, misuse of agencies, no work for poor people , farmers, youth, Dalits, SC, ST, OBC, minorities and general caste 2/3
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 11, 2018
Semifinal proves that BJP is nowhere in all the states. This is a real democratic indication of 2019 final match. Ultimately, people are always the ‘man of the match’ of democracy. My congrats to the winners 3/3
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 11, 2018
Mamata Banerjee reacts to Assembly Election results in 5 States
People voted against BJP. This is the people’s verdict and the victory of the people of this country. The victory of democracy and victory against injustice, atrocities, destruction of institutions, misuse of agencies, no work for poor people, farmers, youth, Dalits, SC, ST, OBC, minorities and general caste.
Semifinal proves that BJP is nowhere in all the states. This is a real democratic indication of 2019 final match. Ultimately, people are always the ‘man of the match’ of democracy. My congrats to the winners, tweeted Mamata.
"Let us cherish the ‘idea of India’ for which our freedom fighters laid down their lives. Our people and our great institutions must strive to remain “independent”, in the true sense of the word," she said.
Victory of democracy and victory against injustice, atrocities, destruction of institutions, misuse of agencies, no work for poor people , farmers, youth, Dalits, SC, ST, OBC, minorities and general caste 2/3
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 11, 2018
Semifinal proves that BJP is nowhere in all the states. This is a real democratic indication of 2019 final match. Ultimately, people are always the ‘man of the match’ of democracy. My congrats to the winners 3/3
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 11, 2018
Mamata Banerjee reacts to Assembly Election results in 5 States
People voted against BJP. This is the people’s verdict and the victory of the people of this country. The victory of democracy and victory against injustice, atrocities, destruction of institutions, misuse of agencies, no work for poor people, farmers, youth, Dalits, SC, ST, OBC, minorities and general caste.
Semifinal proves that BJP is nowhere in all the states. This is a real democratic indication of 2019 final match. Ultimately, people are always the ‘man of the match’ of democracy. My congrats to the winners, tweeted Mamata.
"Let us cherish the ‘idea of India’ for which our freedom fighters laid down their lives. Our people and our great institutions must strive to remain “independent”, in the true sense of the word," she said.
Victory of democracy and victory against injustice, atrocities, destruction of institutions, misuse of agencies, no work for poor people , farmers, youth, Dalits, SC, ST, OBC, minorities and general caste 2/3
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 11, 2018
Semifinal proves that BJP is nowhere in all the states. This is a real democratic indication of 2019 final match. Ultimately, people are always the ‘man of the match’ of democracy. My congrats to the winners 3/3
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 11, 2018
► Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla has lost from Champhai South seat, MNF's TJ Lalnuntluanga has wins
With trends in three of the five state assembly elections showing a tilt towards the Congress, its workers and supporters burst into celebrations at various party offices as well as its headquarters in New Delhi.
The workers distributed sweets and raised slogans as the trends reflected that the party may make a comeback in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.
Confident to win a majority by Congress in Madhya Pradesh. We are forming the government: Kamal Nath
We are not surprised at the results. In all these states the people were tired of BJP's misrule. You may have the best PR machinery in the world but that does not lead to good governance: Priyanka Chaturvedi
I understand that we are trailing in Rajasthan and Chattisgarh. It looks like a neck and neck fight in MP. But let's wait for the full result: BJP spokesperson
Gaurav Bhatia
AIMIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi wins from Chandrayan Gutta constituency
►Rajasthan
→ Former CM and Congress candidate Ashok Gehlot leading in Rajasthan's Sardarpura.
→ Pradesh Congress Committee president Sachin Pilot leading in Tonk seat. BJP candidate and Transport Minister Yoonus Khan trailing
→ Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria trailing in Udaipur seat with a margin of 330 votes
→ Congress candidate and former DGP Harish Meena trails by 1,779 votes in Deoli-Uniara seat of Rajasthan
→ Rajasthan's Health Minister Kalicharan trailing by 117 votes in Malviya Nagar seat
→ Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Kailash Meghwal leads by 3,411 votes in Bhilwara's Shahpura seat
► Mizoram
→ CM Lal Thanhawla of Cong trailing Lalduhoma of Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) by 75 votes in Serchhip constituency
► Telangana
→ Telangana caretaker minister T Harish Rao leading by19,989 votes over his nearest TJS nominee Bhavani Reddy after fourth round in Siddipet segment.
According to official ECI trends, former Chhattisgarh CM Ajit Jogi is at third position at Marwahi. BJP is leading and Congress at second
► TRS president and Telangana Caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao leading over his nearest Congress rival Vanteru Pratap Reddy in Gajwel seat
#RajasthanElections
► Agriculture Minister Prabhu Lal Saini trailing in the Anta seat
► Social Justice Minister Arun Chaturvedi trailing in the civil lines (Jaipur)
► UDH Minister Srichand Kriplani trails by 321 votes in Nimahera constituency
► Water Resource Minister Rampratap trailing by margin of 658 votes in Hanumangarh seat
CM Vasundhara Raje leading in Jhalrapatan constituency with a margin of 4055 votes. Congress candidate Manvendra Singh trailing.
Chattisgarh: Chief Minister Raman Singh who is competing for the fourth term is trailing from Rajnandgaon Constituency, Congress' Karuna Shukla is leading
The good works done by Shivraj Singh and Raman Singh will bring back the party into power in #MPElections2018 and #Chattisgarh. In Rajasthan, we have not lost hope: BJP's Ashwini Upadhyay
We are winning MP and Chattisgarh 100%. In Rajasthan, it is a neck and neck fight: BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya
► As the trends suggest trouble for BJP in Rajasthan, party spokesperson Syed Zafar Islam says the battle in the state was a tough one. "These are very initial trends. The trend could change. But we are confident," he says.
► In Mizoram, Congress and Mizo National Front (MNF)both are leading on one seat each. Result will decide whether Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla of Congress will be able to return for a third consecutive term in office. Mizoram is the last bastion of the Congress in the northeast.
► In the 2013 elections, the Congress had won 34 seats, while its main opposition the Mizo National Front (MNF) got five seats and the Mizoram People's Conference bagged one seat.
Trends so far
EARLY TRENDS
► Madhya Pradesh : Congress takes lead on 5 seats, BJP in 3
► Rajasthan Elections: Congress leading in 13 seats, BJP on 5
► TelanganaElections: TRS ahead in 3 seats, Cong on 2
► Chhattisgarh: Cong and BJP both are leading on 2 seats each
Rajasthan Congress takes an early lead on six seats, BJP ahead in three constituencies
Our governments in MP, Chattisgarh and Rajasthan have worked for the people, poor and farmers. We are winning. Exit polls are not exact poll: BJP national spokesperson Bizay Sonkar Shastri tells DNA
Madhya Pradesh: Early trend shows BJP leading in two constituencies, Congress on one seat
► Counting of votes for Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and Telangana begins
For Madhya Pradesh, senior Congress leader Kamal Nath has exuded confidence that his party would get at least 140 seats to form a majority government.
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 under the rule of BJP-led NDA. The eight North-East states together have 25 Lok Sabha seats.
In Telangana, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi met interim chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao to extend his support and said he was sure about the ruling TRS coming back to power, while the BJP also hinted at its possible support.
The Congress has asserted that the mandate from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telengana and Mizoram on Tuesday would send a 'clear message' against the Narendra Modi government at the Centre.