Rajasthan, MP, Mizoram, Telangana, Chhattisgarh Assembly Election Results 2018: The results will have a bearing on efforts to forge opposition unity for the 2019 elections.
Rajasthan, MP, Mizoram, Telangana, Chhattisgarh Election 2018 highlights: Ending its prolonged electoral reversals, a reinvigorated Congress produced a resilient comeback as it is on course to oust the BJP to form its governments in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. Madhya Pradesh is witnessing a tantalisingly close fight between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress. The TRS, on the other hand, secured a thumping majority in Telangana while MNF has defeated Congress in the latter’s last bastions in Northeast.
As of 10.30 pm, Congress has won 35 seats and leading in 33 others, while BJP has won 7 and leading in 9 others in the 90-member Chhattisgarh assembly. In Rajasthan, the Congress emerged as single largest party by securing 99 seats. However, it fell two seats short of crossing 101-majority mark. It now needs support and post-poll alliance to form the government. BJP, on the other hand, could win only 73, down from 163 in 2013. In MP, the Congress has won 69 seats and leading in 44 seats, while BJP has won 66 seats and leading in 44 seats. In the event of not crossing the majority mark, the Congress may need to stitch a post-poll alliance with BSP and Samajwadi Party.
The Congress party sought an appointment with the Governor of Madhya Pradesh Anandiben Patel to apprise her about the foundation of the government in the state. State party president Kamal Nath wrote in its letter to the Governor apprising that the party has emerged as the single largest party with majority support and sought an appointment with the Governor late tonight, soon after the results are declared.
Congratulating the Congress for their performance in the recently-held elections in MP, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his party accepts the mandate of the people with humility. He also congratulated KCR for his party's thumping victory in Telangana as well as MNF's stellar performance in Mizoram
He also thanked BJP cadres for their work during these elections and said: "Today’s results will further our resolve to serve people and work even harder for the development of India."
Congratulating Congress for emerging as the single largest party, outgoing Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje said she accepts the mandate given by the people and that her party will keep raising people's issues. "I would like to congratulate Congress. I accept this mandate by the people. BJP has worked a lot for them in these 5 years, I hope the next party takes those policies and works forward," Raje told reporters in Jaipur.
Buoyed over the Congress' performance in Hindi heartland states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, Congress president Rahul Gandhi dedicated the victory to farmers and youths.
"We have defeated BJP in Rajasthan, MP and Chhattisgarh," Gandhi told reporters. He stated that the Congress will provide these states a vision. "We are going to provide these states a govt that they can be proud of," he added.
Dr Raman Singh, speaking to the media in Raipur, said the elections were fought under him and therefore the defeat is his responsibility. "I won't discuss the reasons for today's defeat but I congratulate the winners and thank all the party workers for their effort," Singh said. Asked if today's defeat would have an impact on the 2019 polls, Singh said the elections were different and the party would put in all effort to ensure their victory in the upcoming general elections.
Celebrations are underway in Chhattisgarh where the Congress has come back to power with 63 seats leaving the BJP with 18.
RLD vice president Jayant Chaudhary has announced that his party will support the Congress in Rajasthan. The party has won one seat. The Congress is leading in 104 and the BJP in 70.
Voters have rejected what was unwanted, congratulations to them: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on assembly poll results. The Congress is leading in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.
Tamil Nadu BJP chief Tamilisai Soundarajan expressed confidence that the BJP will bounce back in 2019. "The result is just a setback; it’s not a defeat. People still want Narendra Modi to continue as PM and they don’t prefer Rahul Gandhi, and we have not suffered a huge defeat in any of the states. The union of opposition parties will not affect BJP. Modi wave will never ever recede. We never jump on victories nor lie down on defeats. I just have one thing to say to Congress; whenever we managed to win the elections, you say it’s due to faulty electoral machines, what about your victory now?"
Umesh Patel wins in Kharsia
Congress is back in the lead in Madhya Pradesh. The party is presently leading in 115 seats, while the BJP is leading in 105. Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena said the outcome of the elections in the five states was a clear message to the BJP and there was a need for the ruling coalition to introspect.
Chhattisgarh Congress President Bhupesh Baghel has arrived at Congress office in Raipur. He says, “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 the chief minister."
People have recognised that BJP has done nothing in the last 5 years and they are moving towards other alternatives. People are with us in our fight against BJP. These 5 states results will help form a strong alternative to the BJP. 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.
Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu concedes defeat, says TDP respected the mandate of people of Telangana. "Congratulations to K Chandrasekhar Rao. Also, best wishes to all the newly elected public representatives of 5 states," he said. T Harish Rao, the nephew of KCR, said people had reposed faith in the TRS chief. "The people reposed faith in the leadership of our chief minister and they did not believe in the disinformation campaign of the opposition," said T Harish Rao.
Emerging kingmaker in Madhya Pradesh, BSP chief Mayawati has reportedly called all her winning MLAs to New Delhi for a meeting. The Congress will be hoping to stitch a post poll alliance with the BSP. While the party was supposed to have a pre-poll alliance, Mayawati pulled out following a disagreement over seat sharing. It will now be for the Congress to woo Mayawati and consequently form government.