Counting of votes for five states namely Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram have begun. These states had gone for crucial assembly polls in several stages between November and December with the last round of polling being concluded on 7 December.
Exit poll predictions have said that the Congress may return to power in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, while Telangana may remain with the TRS. Today’s results are being seen as the semi-finals before the next year’s Lok Sabha polls.
If indeed the Congress manage to unseat the BJP in three states, this will signal a huge shift in support away from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party, the BJP. Modi had swept the Lok Sabha polls in these three states in 2014, when he secured an absolutely majority in the parliament.
The BJP’s failure to repeat its 2013 performance here will come as a big boost for Congress President Rahul Gandhi, who’s desperately seeking to dislodge Modi from the post of prime minister in 2019.
Postal ballots will be counted first after the counting begins at 8 am. Votes cast using EVMs will be counted after the counting of postal ballots is over. The first real indication will start to emerge only after 9.30 am.
Here are the live updates:
- 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: Sachin Pilot
- Congress party would have done better if central govt did not misuse powers (EVMs stealing etc): Ghulam Nabi Azad
- Victory in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh is a gift to Rahul Gandhi. Today was the day he became Congress president last year: Sachin Pilot
- I had told you we will get majority. We will form government on our own: Kamal Nath when asked if Congress will seek support from BSP
- Rahul Gandhi leaves home for party headquarter at 24 Akbar Road
- Congress may be leading on 60 seats in Chhattisgarh, but Republic TV has no presence
- Congress takes majority lead in Chhattisgarh with 58 (90) seats, leading on 112(230) seats in Madhya Pradesh, 97 (200) in Rajasthan. In Telangana, TRS is leading on 74 (119) seats.
- Congress leading in three states now. Neck-and-neck fight in Madhya Pradesh. TRS leading in Telangana
- Congress leading in all five states. In Rajasthan, Congress is leading at 77 seats against BJP’s 55. In Madhya Pradesh Congress is leading on 78 and BJP 68. In Chhattisgarh, Congress is leading on 40 while BJP’s lead was on 32 seats. Congress has also surged ahead in Telangana with lead on 35 seats, TRS leading on 33 seats. Congress is also leading in Mizoram.
- Digvijay Singh, Congress: It’s too early. Anything can be said only after 12 pm. Leads of only postal ballots have come till now. I am confident that in Madhya Pradesh, Congress will form government. We have favourable situation in Rajasthan & Chhattisgarh also
- Congress Rajasthan President Sachin Pilot leading from Tonk
- When asked who will be Congress CM candidate in the event of party’s win, Jyotiraditya Scindia says ‘Let the results come first.’
- Madhya Pradesh has 230 seats, Rajasthan 200, Chhattisgarh 90, Telangana 119 and Mizoram 40