Congress wrests Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan Assemblies from BJP; PM congratulates Congress, TRS and MNF for their victories
The Congress has wrested power from the BJP in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, while it emerged as a single largest party in Madhya Pradesh.
In Chhattisgarh, Congress got a majority in the 90-member Assembly as it won 68 seats. BJP bagged 15 seats, Janta Congress Chhattisgarh won five and BSP got two.
In the 200-member Rajasthan Assembly, Congress has won 99 seats, while BJP got 73, BSP – six, RLD – one, Independents – 13 and Others – 7. Election to Ramgarh seat was countermanded due to the death of a BSP candidate.
The meeting of the Congress legislature will be held in Jaipur this morning to discuss the future course of action. The opinion of newly elected MLAs will be shared with the party high command during the meeting.
AIR correspondent reports that a meeting of the party legislature will again take place in the evening before they approach the Governor to stake claim to form the government in the state.
In Madhya Pradesh, results of all 230 seats have come in. Congress has bagged 114 seats, while BJP has won 109. BSP got two seats, SP – one and Independents – 4 seats.
In Telangana, TRS has retained power after gaining two-third majority. The party won 88 of the total 119 constituencies. Congress bagged 19 seats, AIMIM – seven. BJP got one, TDP – two and others – 2. TRS Legislature Party will meet in Hyderabad today to formally elect its leader.
Party Chief K Chandrasekhar Rao called on Governor ESL Narasimhan last evening and informed him about the party performance. The Mizo National Front (MNF) has dethroned Congress in Mizoram. In the 40-member Assembly, MNF got a clear majority as they won 26 seats, followed by Congress – 5, BJP – one and Independent 8 seats.
MNF President and Chief Minister-designate Zoramthanga met the Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan last evening and staked claim to form the government. He was unanimously elected as leader of the MNF legislature party at a meeting of the newly-elected MLAs in Aizawl. Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla tendered his resignation.
The Congress has appointed senior leader AK Antony as party observer for Madhya Pradesh and Mallikarjun Kharge for Chhattisgarh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Congress for its victory in the elections. He also congratulated TRS Chief K. Chandrashekhar Rao for his thumping win in Telangana and MNF for their impressive victory in Mizoram. In a series of tweets, the Prime Minister said, BJP accepts people’s mandate with humility.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi said the results are a victory of Congress workers, small traders and farmers. Talking to reporters in New Delhi, he said, it is now a big responsibility for the Congress and the party will provide these states a vision.
Senior BJP leader and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has said the result of assembly elections is not as expected by the BJP and it is an opportunity to take a pause and analyse the poll outcomes.
