The countdown of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government's fall has begun, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Tuesday as assembly election trends showed the BJP trailing in two of the three states where it was in power.


"The countdown of the Modi government's fall has begun," Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi. Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party was behind its main rival Congress in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. It was locked in a close contest with the opposition party in Madhya Pradesh, according to latest trends. The Congress is likely to get an absolute majority in Chhattisgarh and is reaching the simple majority mark in Rajasthan. -- PTI

Aizawl: Outgoing CM of Mizoram Lal Thanhawla submits his resignation before the Governor. He said, "This is very disappointing. I didn't expect this. I think I underestimated the new formation ZPM." A delegation of Mizo National Front led by its President Zoramthanga met Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan after the party won 26 seats in the state Assembly polls. 

Former finance secretary and current member of the finance commission Shaktikanta Das is the new Reserve Bank of India governor.


A former civil servant, Das is also a member of the 15th Finance Commission.


Urjit Patel on Monday resigned from his post on account of personal reasons, with immediate effect.The 54-year old Indian economist had served as the deputy governor for three years before his appointment as the governor on September 4, 2016.


Image: Shaktikanta Das with Urjit Patel.


Also read:The babu who planned demonetisation

Sachin Pilot may not become chief minister of Rajasthan if the party chooses to appoint the older, more experienced Ashok Gehlot, but the urbane politician, equally at home in a village as in the debating room of an English news channel, has more than earned his electoral stripes, say party leaders.


The 41-year-old Stephanian and Wharton MBA graduate had made a vow in 2014 when the party lost in the Lok Sabha elections to not wear a turban he so loved till the Congress returns to power.  And now it seems the saafa' might well be back on his head.

At a press conference today, Ashok Gehlot, also a contender for the CM's post said, "This is a grand victory. We're forming government in three states. What can be better than that? The way Rahul Gandhiji tackled Modiji and Amit Shahji in Gujarat, after that graph of Congress is going up and the graph of Modiji is constantly going down.

It's a sign.  

KC Venugopal, Congress, "Tomorrow morning therell be a Congress Legislative Party meeting after that we will seek views of MLAs and senior leaders then we will apprise the situation to Congress President. As per party customs president will take the final decision on the leadership issue.

The Congress is likely to go for a post-poll alliance in Rajasthan, where it is approaching towards a majority mark, former chief minister Ashok Gehlot said on Tuesday.


The Congress needs 100 seats out of 199 that went to the polls to form the government. The election to one seat in a House of 200 was put off following the death of a BSP candidate. Gehlot indicated towards assembling an alliance by taking along willing parties and the candidates who have parted ways with the BJP.


The Congress has contested the assembly elections with a pre-poll alliance on a total of five seats -- Mundawar and Kushalgarh (with Loktantrik Janta Dal (LJD); Bharatpur and Malpura (with Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD); and Bali (with NCP).


"The Congress will form the government. This is the mandate of public, which is in favour of the Congress party. We will get a clear majority and will also take along other parties or candidates who quit the BJP," Gehlot told reporters as trends indicated a victory for his party.


Two independents have won the elections and 10 are leading, while the BSP has won three and is leading on as many. One candidate of other party has won and five are leading. Several of the independent candidates are Congress rebels and are likely to support the the party when it comes to government formation, a party leader said. In 2008, the Congress had won 96 seats and the party formed the government led by Ashok Gehlot with the support of six BSP lawmakers, who had defected to the Congress, and a few independents. PTI


Wins: Cong: 46, BJP: 25, Others: 12
Leads: Cong: 51, BJP: 49, Others: 15

Kapil Sibal of the Congress: This is the victory of Rahul Gandhi, our party, workers, people, and the fight against scams. This is the victory of humanity. Opposition leaders met yesterday except for leaders from two parties. We will contest elections together; our first aim is to defeat BJP and today's result is the first step in that direction.

Outgoing Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh says he has tendered his resignation to the Governor. "I take onus for our loss. Will analyse the reasons behind the loss," he said. "I take the moral responsibility for the party's defeat. We will play the role of a constructive opposition. We will discuss within the party the reasons for the defeat.  Even if I work all my life I will not be able to repay the love and support I have received from the people of Chhattisgarh," Raman Singh said in an emotional farewell to his people at a press conference. Polls for the 90-member House in the state took place in two phases on November 12 and 20.


Leads: Cong: 63, BJP: 18, BSP+:  8. NO results have come in from Chhattisgarh.

Asaduddin Owaisi, AIMIM: I say this with all responsibility that K Chandrasekhar Rao has all capabilities & capacities to ensure that a non-Congress govt comes into existence when the next parliament election takes place & this country requires a non-Congress & a non-BJP govt. After seeing K Chandrasekhar Rao from very close quarters I feel that this nation deserves a leader like him & I hope that next step he'll take will be successful and I'll stand shoulder to shoulder with him ensuring that in '19 election there's a non-Congress & non-BJP govt.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee in Delhi: There are many reasons behind the BJP's defeat. They are proud of being in power and the misuse of democratic institutions are some. People from all strata of society are against BJP. This a disaster for them. This is the semi-final of the final match as 2019 elections will be held in next 2-3 months. For 2019 final match game is clear, now we are just waiting for the elections.The countdown for 2019 has begun. This is the beginning of the end," she said.

TRS President and Telangana caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao in Hyderabad: I will actively participate in national politics.  I spoke to other political parties, we are going to play a crucial role in national politics.


TRS dedicates victory in assembly poll to the people of Telangana, says party chief K Chandrasekhar Rao. Addressing a presser, Rao said that Telangana proved to be a non-Congress, non-BJP state. He said TRS will play a crucial role in national politics. "We should be humble in victory; mightier the victory the more the responsibility," the party chief said. "I will actively participate in national politics. I spoke to other political parties, we are going to play a crucial role in national politics," he said in Hyderabad.


The TRS was set to form its second successive government in Telangana.

Kanimozhi @KanimozhiDMK The much promised #AccheDin #GoodDay has finally arrived. @RahulGandhi


Shashi Tharoor @ShashiTharoor Wonderful news pouring in from #Elections2018. In the memorable words of @arunjaitley, "Great Day for India.  No one who cheats India will go scot free." #EndToJumlas #TimesUpBJP


KC Singh @ambkcsingh Oh my God is it or it isn't Sambit Patra on @abpnewstv ? Sedate, waiting to speak & non-aggressive. Some are born with humility; others acquire it & some have it thrust upon them. It seems election rout works as well.


Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal CM in Delhi: There are many reasons behind BJP's defeat, proud of being in power & misuse of democratic institutions are some. People from all strata of society are against BJP. This a disaster for them.

Rajasthan: Ashok Gehlot, Sachin Pilot and other Congress leaders in Jaipur. Congress party has won 15 seats and is leading on 88 seats in the state polls.  So, who will lead Rajasthan? Our bets are on Pilot.

Mizoram: Zoramthanga, President of the Mizo National Front (MNF) says: "Since I am going to form the government now, my first priorities will be three things '" to impose prohibition on liquor, repair roads and implement Social Economic Development Programme which is our flagship programme. 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."


The Mizo National Front returned to power in Mizoram after 10 years Tuesday, capturing 26 seats in the 40-member Assembly and inflicting a humiliating defeat on the Congress.

Telangana: K Chandrsekhar Rao arrives at party headquarters in Hyderabad. He won from the Gajwel constituency by over 50,000 votes. TRS is leading on 75 seats in the state, with wins in 12 seats. 

"Facing foes with a common intent is not something Modi-Shah's BJP has done before," points out Saisuresh Sivaswamy. Read the column here.

Smelling victory over the ruling BJP based on trends for all the 230 Assembly seats in Madhya Pradesh, the Congress has begun contacting leaders of small parties and also independents for mustering a simple majority, party sources said Tuesday.


Congress leaders have contacted the Bahujan Samaj Party, Samajwadi Party, Gondwana Gantantra Party and independents who are leading, the sources said.


The Congress is leading in 113 seats and BJP in 103 seats, Others: 10 as per the latest trends. MP Congress chief Kamal Nath and the party's campaign committee chief Jyotiraditya Scindia have contacted potential allies, the sources said. Nath was in contact with BSP supremo Mayawati and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav besides leaders of GGP whose candidate is leading in one place. BSP is leading at four places while SP is ahead in two constituencies.


Mayawati had snubbed Congress' overture for alliance in the state ahead of the elections. Scindia has contacted the independent candidates who are leading in the vote count, said sources. -- PTI


Image: File pic: Kamal Nath.

The NCP on Tuesday attributed the BJP's performance in five state Assembly polls, particularly in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, to its "arrogance" and said it portended "farewell" of the NDA pivot in 2019 general elections.


Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, NCP chief spokesperson Nawab Malik ascribed the defeat also to the "anti-people and anti-farmer" policies of the Narendra Modi government.


"It is in face a 5-0 defeat of the BJP. The people have voted against the arrogance of leaders of the BJP", Malik said. He was referring to trends showing the Congress leading in BJP-ruled Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. The BJP in Madhya Pradesh is locked in a neck-and-neck fight with the Congress. Malik said the crisis of unemployment and the government's moves like GST and demonetisation had a bearing on the polls outcome.


"The way the BJP has tasted defeat in its own states, it portends the farewell of the BJP in the 2019 polls," he said. The former Maharashtra minister also alleged that the RSS had sensed the BJP's defeat in these polls and therefore, had raised the Ram temple dispute. "Hence, the people ensured 'Ram naam satya' of the BJP in the elections," he added.


In Telangana and the Mizoram, the other two states where Assembly polls results were announced, the TRS and the MNF respectively forged ahead. PTI


Image: Supporters of Sachin Pilot at an election rally on December 5. Pic" @SachinPilot

Newly elected Congress MLAs of Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan will meet in Raipur and Jaipur respectively tomorrow.

Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu concedes defeat in the Telangana state polls: The TDP respects the mandate of the people of Telangana. Congratulations to Shri K Chandrasekhar Rao. Also, best wishes to all the newly elected public representatives of 5 states. People recognize that the BJP has done nothing in the last five years and are moving towards an alternative. People are with us in our fight against the BJP. These five states results will help form a strong alternative to the BJP."


The Telugu Desam Party 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.

In other news: Three policemen, guarding a minority pocket in Shopian district in south Kashmir, were shot dead allegedly by terrorists Tuesday, officials said. The incident took place at Zainpora when the terrorists entered into a guard room where four police personnel were present, they said. The deceased persons were identified as Abdul Majid, Manzoor Ahmed and Mohammed Amin.


The fourth policeman was rushed to a hospital, where his condition was stated to be critical, the officials said. The terrorists also walked away with weapons of the policemen, they said, adding that all people from the minority community were safe. -- PTI

Big winners: Vasundhara Raje, Ashok Gehlot, Sachin Pilot have won from their constituencies. Raje and Pilot have won by 50,000 votes, Gehlot by 30,000.


In Rajasthan, anti-incumbency has played a big factor in the Congress gaining a foothold in Rajasthan after a gap two terms. Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, despite all odds, wins from Jhalrapatan, yet her party office in Jaipur wore a deserted look. Raje arrived at party office this morning and left after holding a brief meeting with the party workers. State BJP president Madan Lal Saini attended the meeting along with others.


As the trends poured in, the Congress office started celebrating in full swing. But, the BJP did not lose hope, awaiting the final tally. Independents sprung up with spectacular victory numbers.


Congress claims to be in touch with the Independent candidates to form the mandate.


As per the tradition Rajasthan has chosen an alternate government in every assembly election with the only variation in 1993 when BJP's Bhairon Singh Shekhawat won two consecutive terms.There has been 74.21 per cent voter turnout in the state this time. The tenure of Rajasthan assembly will end on January 20, 2019.


Image:  Congress workers and supporters celebrate the party's winning trend in the Rajasthan Assembly elections, at the party office in Jaipur. PTI Photo.

Mizoram Chief Minister and Congress candidate Lal Thanhawla lost from both his home turf Serchhip and Champhai South seat Tuesday, Election Commission sources said. He 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 nominee, by a margin of 1,049 votes in Champhai South constituency near the Myanmar border. -- PTI

Sonal MehrotraKapoor @Sonal_MK
So of the 20 independents in Rajasthan: 7 from the Gehlot camp were denied tickets and now have won.

2 from BJP's rebel party -- Ghanshyam Tewari's new outfit, Bharat Vahini

4 from Jat leader -- Hanuman Benewal, another BJP rebel.

Sanjay Kakade, BJP Rajya Sabha MP, has some answers on the probable loss of his party in four of the five states: "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."

TRS President and Telangana caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao wins from Gajwel constituency by over 50,000 votes. His welfare schemes like Mission Kakatiya, Mission Bhagiratha, Kaleshwaram Project, the Rythu Bandhu and Rs 5 lakh Insurance scheme for the farming community drew national attention with many other states emulating them.


The Telugu Desam Party 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.

He has reason to celebrate.


KTR @KTRTRS Grateful, indebted & Humbled Thanks Telangana for keeping the faith in KCR Garu & giving us another opportunity to serve you.


That's KCR's son, jubilant with a well-earned victory for his party. Well, the trends indicate a near-certain victory.

Results: BJP:0, Cong: 4, TRS:30, TDP: 0, Others: 1
Trends: BJP: 2, Cong: 19, TRS: 56, TDP: 2, Others: 5

Congress President Rahul Gandhi reaches Sonia Gandhi's residence at 10 Janpath. 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.


The Rahul Gandhi-led party became the focal point of attention as the morning progressed and trends showed it could possibly steal a march over rival BJP in the Hindi heartland states of Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.


In Madhya Pradesh, the picture changed minute to minute, in an electoral exercise being seen as a semi-final to 2019. "Trends show Congress marching ahead to victory in Rajasthan, MP and Chhattisgarh. We are confident the trend will continue across the country," Congress leader Sachin Pilot said in Jaipur.


With election trends showing reverses for the BJP, senior BJP leader and Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the polls were fought on the basis of the performance of state governments, rejecting the notion that the results would be a reflection of the Modi government.


Image: West Bengal: Congress workers celebrate in Kolkata.

Chhattisgarh: BJP: 19, Cong: 65, BSP: 1, JCC: 4, Others: 1


The Congress appeared all set to shatter BJP leader Raman Singh's dream of a consecutive fourth term as Chhattisgarh chief minister, as per early trends for the state Assembly elections.


Trends for 82 of the 90 seats where polling was held in two phases, are available so far, a poll official said. Congress, which has 39 legislators in the outgoing House BJP has 10 more - appeared to have gotten its act together in the tribal-dominated state.


The Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) of former chief minister Ajit Jogi was ahead in five seats while the CPI and the Gondwana Gantantra Party and the CPI (M) were leading in one seat each, the official said.

@OmarAbdullah "Others' in Madhya Pradesh will be a happy lot at the moment.


Trends: BJP: 108, Cong: 111, Others: 11


A resurgent Congress in Madhya Pradesh was Tuesday leading over the ruling BJP by a slender margin, as per trends available in all the 230 Assembly seats.


The Opposition Congress was leading in 111 seats, a far improved performance over the 58 seats it has in the outgoing House, while BJP was ahead in 108 constituencies.


Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was leading in Budhni seat over his nearest Congress rival by a margin of 19,293 votes. State Sports Minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia was leading in Shivpuri seat by a margin of 10,780 votes.


Women and Child Development Minister Archana Chitnis was leading in Burhanpur, while Agriculture Minister Gaurishankar Chaturbhuj Bisen was ahead in Balaghat.

ANI reports that Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot in talks with eight  independents in Rajasthan. It's a close BJP: 80, Cong: 94, Others: 25


"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," Pilot said at a press briefing.


This even as Pilot exuded confidence that the party will form the government in the state. He said Rahul Gandhi as well as party's MLAs will decide on who will be the chief minister. He said the Congress was marching towards victory in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh and the trend would continue in the future in the rest of India.


Pilot was leading in Tonk and Congress' former chief minister Ashok Gehlot in Sardarpura. The choice of who would be chief minister if the Congress comes to power had analysts playing the guessing game.

K Kavitha, TRS MP, who is also Telangana CM KCR's daughter on allegations of EVM tampering. "The losing party always says the EVMs have been tampered with. This is absolutely false. Even the CEC in a press meeting yesterday said that it is not possible to tamper EVMs. People have given victory to TRS, what Congress is claiming is false."


Trends so far: BJP: 0, Cong: 21, TRS: 95, Others: 3

Ashok Gehlot, Congress on Rajasthan elections results: "Congress has won the mandate. Nos can go up and down but public's mandate is in the favour of Congress. We will get clear majority, still we would want independent candidates and parties other than BJP to support us if they want."


He also credited Rahul 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. Asked who will be the CM, he said it will be decided by the party MLAs and the Congress president.


Gehlot said Gandhi raised key issues concerning the people because of which Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "graph came down". He said that Gandhi first cornered Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah in Gujarat and played issue-based politics. He also said the Congress benefitted as Gandhi raised issues concerning price rise, farmers, the Rafale issue on which Modi and the BJP did not have answers.

Chhattisgarh: BJP: 18, Cong: 64, Others: 8


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.


The Janta Congress Chhattisgarh (J) president told reporters that the people of the state wanted to oust the Raman Singh-led government, which has been in office for 15 years. 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.  --  PTI


Also read: I will be the King, not the kingmaker: Ajit Jogi

Home Minister Rajnath Singh is cautious on the Assembly elections results: Nothing is yet clear from the trends. Congratulations to the MLA candidates and the political parties that are winning. But Mahagathbandhan has failed terribly in Telangana.

Congress ahead of BJP in Madhya Pradesh. Congress: 113  BJP: 105 Others: 12.

MP can still go either way, with trends now indicating, BJP is barely ahead ahead at 110, with Congress at 109. But just five rounds of counting have begun, so too early to say who the state is  going with. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said this was a real indication of the final match in 2019. "People are always 'man of the match' in democracy. People voted against BJP. This is people's verdict, victory of democracy over injustice.

Mizoram CM Lal Thanhawla defeated by MNF's T J Lalnuntluanga by 856 votes in Champhai South: EC sources.

Initial trends now showing BJP leading in Madhya Pradesh assembly elections.  BJP: 114, Cong: 107, BSP: 4.  The Congress should hold the laddoos for a bit.


Complete turnaround from this morning, when the Congress was leading in the state. In fact, Jyotiraditya Scindia has already said the party will work for the development of the state if they win, even as he remained evasive on the question of chief ministership.


"We will create an environment of peace, justice, and development if we come in power in Madhya Pradesh," Scindia told reporters.


The 230-member Assembly of Madhya Pradesh went to polls on November 28 with as many as 2,899 candidates in the fray, including 250 women and five third gender candidates. The state saw a voter turnout of around 75 per cent.


The Rahul Gandhi-led Congress party is hoping to make a comeback after the party lost the polls to the BJP in the central state.Most exit polls suggest that the Congress party has an edge over the BJP in the state.
-- ANI

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi said Rahul worked hard and led the party but it was best to wait for the results.


Sachin Pilot, one of the two contenders for the CM's post in Rajasthan says, "The leads suggest that the Congress will get full majority in Rajasthan, MP and Chhattishgarh. It is clear that the Congress will form government in all three states. We will have to wait for the results, but we will get a comfortable majority. Who will get what post, will depend on the Congress high command. This is the day that Rahul Gandhi had become Cong president a year ago. This win is for the people. Vasundhraa Scindia's govt has failed to live up to the people's expectations. It is the hard work of Rahul Gandhi that has given us this results." 

Omar Abdullah @OmarAbdullah This is the most fun I've had on counting day in a long time. It helps that I'm not fighting elections in any of the 5 states.

Rajasthan:  BJP: 81, Cong: 114, Others: 4.
Madhya Pradesh: BJP: 105, Cong: 111, Others: 14


Congress leader Kamal Nath says the party is going to get full majority. ": "These are trends, but I am fully confident that we will get full majority in Madhya Pradesh. We will form the government," he said. Kamal Nath and Ashok Gehlot are the contenders for the CM's post, though the Congress has not made any official announcement.


IN Rajasthan, the Congress is likely to form government. The easiest way to see where the results are going is to park yourself outside the party office in the state. The nearly empty street outside the BJP state office in Jaipur speaks that the results are going south for the party. (See picture alongside).


If the Congress does win Rajasthan, as the exit polls predict and the leads suggest, the two CM contenders are Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot.

Aizawl: Sweets being distributed at Mizo National Front office (MNF) as the party leads in trends in Mizoram. Congress is set to lose its only state in the north east.


Leads: Congress: 9,  BJP: 1, MNF: 27, Others: 3


Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla is trailing behind ZPM nominee Lalduhoma in the former's home turf Serchhip in the first round of counting, the election department said. The CM is also contesting from Champhai South seat.


The lone woman minister of his cabinet, Vanlalawmpuii Chawngthu, is also trailing behind former Assembly Speaker Lalchamliana in Hrangturzo seat. Former Chief Minister and MNF president Zoramthanga is leading in Aizawl East-I seat against ZPM's K Sapdanga. The ZPM is an alliance formed by two political parties and four groups.


Image: Sweets being distributed at Mizo National Front office (MNF) as the party leads in trends in Mizoram.

Rajasthan leads: BJP: 76, Cong: 108: Others: 1


Early trends indicated that the Congress was headed for a majority in Rajasthan, taking the lead in 108 seats while the ruling BJP is ahead in 76 constituencies, with 12 of its ministers trailing behind their rivals.


State Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria and Transport Minister Yoonus Khan are among those trailing after the initial rounds of counting, according to the state election commission's website. Independents are leading in 10 seats and candidates of other parties are ahead in five seats. The BSP is leading in one seat, and the CPIM in two.


Ministers who are trailing are -- Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria (Udaipur), Transport Minister Yoonus Khan (Tonk), Social Justice Minister Arun Chaturvedi (Civil Lines), Water Resources Minister Rampratap (Hanumangarh), Agriculture Minister Prabhu Lal Saini (Anta), UDH Minister Srichand Kriplani (Nimahera), Gaupalan Minister Otaram Devasi (Sirohi seat), Health Minister Kalicharan (Malvia Nagar), Cooperative Minister Ajay Singh (Degana), Mines Minister Surendra Pal Singh (Karanpura), Higher Education Minister Kiran Maheshwari (Rajsamand) and Industry Minister Rajpal Singh (Jhotwara).  


Former minister Gajendra Singh is trailing in Lohawat. Panchayati Raj Minister Rajendra Rathore is leading in Churu with a margin of 1,157 votes. Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje is leading in the Jhalrapatan constituency by over 4,000 votes. The Congress has fielded veteran BJP leader Jaswant Singh's son Manvendra Singh from the seat. PCC president Sachin Pilot is leading in Tonk by 2,007 votes, while former CM Ashok Gehlot is leading in Sardarpura by 5,112 votes. Congress candidate and discus throw gold medallist in the 2010 Commonwealth Games Krishna Poonia is leading in the Sadulpur constituency by 646 votes. The BJP MP from Barmer, Sonaram, is trailing, while party candidate and Assembly Speaker Kailash Meghwal is leading by 3,411 votes in Bhilwara's Shahpura seat. Rastriya Loktantrik Party leader Hanuman Beniwal is ahead in Khinvsar by 1,345 votes.


The BJP is fighting to keep the state it wrested from the Congress five years ago. Most of the exit polls have predicted a win for the Congress. Rajasthan has 200 assembly seats, but voting was held in only 199 as polling was countermanded in one seat due to death of a candidate. -- PTI

Telangana: TRS: 89, Cong: 16, BJP: 4, Others: 7


Caretaker CM K Chandrareskhar Rao likely to remain in power in Telangana.


Counting of votes polled in December 7 election to the 119-member Telangana Assembly was taken up at 8 am. TRS president and Caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao was leading by 5,200 votes over his nearest Congress rival Vanteru Pratap Reddy in Gajwel constituency after the second round.


The five-time MLA is seeking re-election from this segment in Siddipet district.


In Siddipet, Rao's nephew and minister in the Caretaker government T Harish Rao (TRS) was leading by 26,098 votes over his nearest Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS) rival Bhavani Reddy after fourth round.


The TRS president's son and minister K T Rama Rao was leading by 9,779 votes after second round. The ruling TRS and BJP contested the polls alone, while the Congress has forged an alliance with Telugu Desam Party (TDP), CPI and Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS).


The Assembly was prematurely dissolved on September six with the K Chandrasekhar Rao-led government opting to go for elections more than eight months ahead of schedule. Assembly elections were orgininally scheduled to be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls next year.
-- PTI

Tempest' @ColdCigar Thand to nahi lag rhi @narendramodi ?

The Indian rupee Tuesday plunged by a significant 110 paise in early trade as domestic equities saw heavy sell-off amid crucial state election results and the unexpected resignation of Reserve Bank Governor Urjit Patel. Patel, who cited "personal reasons" for the decision that was effective immediately is the first governor since 1990, to step down before his term ends. At the Interbank Foreign Exchange, the rupee opened weak at 72.42, showing a sharp plunge of 110 paise over its previous closing price. On Monday, the Indian rupee tumbled 50 paise to close at 71.32 against the US dollar.


Besides, Patel's resignation, analysts attributed the fall in the domestic currency as a knee-jerk reaction to early state election trends that suggest a win for the opposition party in key states, ahead of general election of 2019.

1st results from Telangana: AIMIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi wins from Chandrayan Gutta constituency.

Gehlot leading in Sardarpura: Former CM and Cong candidate Ashok Gehlot leading with a margin of 5,112 votes in Rajasthan's Sardarpura.


Raj Speaker Kailash Meghwal leads in Shahpura: 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.


Rampratap trailing in Rajasthan's Hanumangarh seat: Rajasthan Water Resource Minister Rampratap trailing by margin of 658 votes in Hanumangarh seat


Telangana caretaker minister T Harish Rao leading by 19,989 votes over his nearest TJS nominee Bhavani Reddy after
fourth round in Siddipet segment.


PCC president Sachin Pilot leading in Tonk seat with a margin of 2007 votes. BJP candidate and Transport Minister Yoonus Khan trailing.


Rajasthan's Health Minister Kalicharan trailing by 117 votes in Malviya Nagar seat.


Congress candidate and former DGP Harish Meena trails by 1,779 votes in Deoli-Uniara seat of Rajasthan.

Digvijaya Singh on Tuesday expressed confidence that the Congress party will form the government in Madhya Pradesh, as counting for the state assembly elections went underway along with Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Telangana and Mizoram.


"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," Singh told ANI.


Singh served as the chief minister of Madhya Pradesh for two terms from 1993 to 2003. Rahul Gandhi-led Congress party is hoping to make a comeback after the party lost the polls to the BJP in the central state.


The senior Congress party leader also expressed hope that his party will also emerge victorious in other states as well.


"We have favourable situation in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh also," Singh added.Madhya Pradesh, with 230 assembly seats, witnessed a high decibel campaign for the poll, which remained a direct battle of ballots between the ruling BJP and the Congress.


Most exit polls suggest that the Congress party has an edge over the BJP in Madhya Pradesh, which went to polls on November 28. -- PTI

Vasundhara Raje leading in Jhalrapatan constituency with a margin of 4055 votes. Congress candidate Manvendra Singh trailing.

Rajasthan minister Prabhu Lal Saini trailing.

Rajasthan's Agriculture Minister Prabhu Lal Saini trailing by 1,167 votes in the Anta seat.

Cong candidate and Commonwealth gold medallist Krishna Poonia leading in Rajasthan's Sadulpur constituency with a margin of 646 votes in first round of counting.

TRS president and Telangana Caretaker Chief Minister K  Chandrasekhar Rao leading by 2,861 votes over his nearest Congress rival Vanteru Pratap Reddy in Gajwel seat after first round.

Jaipur: Congress workers celebrate outside Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot's residence as initial trends show the party leading in the state.

Pilot is a contender for the chief ministerial post, though the Congress hasn't put a face to the seat as yet.  Among Congress' bigwigs in fray are also former chief minister Ashok Gehlot from Sardarpura.


Leads so far: Cong: 82,  BJP: 66, BSP: 1


Image:  Congress workers celebrate outside Sachin Pilot's residence as initial trends show the party leading in Rajasthan.

On the back of RBI governor Urjit Patel's resignation yesterday, here's another exit.

Eminent economist and columnist Surjit Bhalla on Tuesday said that he had resigned as part-time member of Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) on December 1. "I resigned as part-time member of PMEAC on December 1," Bhalla said on Twitter. The EAC- PM is headed by Niti Aayog member Bibek Debroy. Economists Rathin Roy, Ashima Goyal and Shamika Ravi are other part-time members.

MP leads: Cong: 28,  BJP: 30, BSP: 1

As many as 2,907 candidates were in the fray for the November 28 assembly polls as Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan of BJP is attempting a fourth term in office, while challenger Congress expects to return to power after a 15-year gap.


Exit polls 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 polls saw a voter turnout of about 75 per cent. Madhya Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer V L Kantha Rao told reporters that counting began with the postal ballots at 51 centres across the state.

Congress Rajasthan President Sachin Pilot leading from Tonk.

Firecrackers brought to Congress office in Jaipur. Leads so far: Cong:52, BJP: 34, BSP: 1 . Exit poll predict a Congress win.  

Madhya Pradesh: BJP 19,  Cong  13
Telangana: BJP:  0,  Cong:  2,   TRS:  27,   TDP: 0
Chhattisgarh: BJP: 7, Cong:  8
Rajasthan: BJP:  24,  Cong:  30, Others: 0
Mizoram: MNF: 4

Alright, so Vasundhara Raje is now leading over Manvendra Singh in Jhalrapatan. She is likely to retain her seat, but as the exit polls predict, lose the state to Congress. Of the 200 assembly seats in Rajasthan, the Congress is leading in 25, the BJP in 17.


According to the Election Commission, counting is underway for 199 seats out of 200 assembly constituencies, election for which were held on December 7.


"The counting began at the centres amid tight security arrangements," a spokesperson of the election department said. As many as 35 centres have been set up in the state. Except Jaipur and Jodhpur where there are two counting centres and each district has one centre.


Polling took place in 15,687 polling centres across the 199 constituencies on December 7 and the state recorded a turnout of 74.21 per cent, a tally just short of the 75.23 per cent registered in the previous assembly election.


The BJP and Congress are the main political parties in the state. Both the parties have claimed that they will emerge victorious in the elections. -- PTI

Counting of the votes began on Tuesday for the 119-seat Telangana Assembly amid tight security. Maiden polls for the assembly were held on December 7 with a voter turnout of 73.20 per cent. The previous polls were held in the united Andhra Pradesh. Telangana was carved out of Andhra Pradesh in 2014.


The assembly polls in Telangana were originally scheduled to be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha elections next year, but the House was dissolved on September 6 as per a recommendation by the state Cabinet. A clear picture about trends is expected by afternoon.


The fate of 1,821 candidates from various political parties will be decided on Tuesday. Rajat Kumar Chief Electoral Officer on Monday said necessary arrangements have been made for the counting.


"Counting will be done after the completion of the full postal ballot count. Counting will be done in the respective constituencies. With the approval of the ECI, the Chief Electoral Officer, will submit the list of winning candidates party-wise to the Governor," Rajat Kumar had said.


Though some of the exit polls indicate clear edge to K Chandrasekhar Rao-led Telangana Rashtra Samithi, 'Praja Kutami' conglomeration of Congress, Telugu Desam Party, CPI and Kodandaram-led Telangana Jana Samithi, is confident of forming the Government in the state. -- PTI

Congress workers perform 'hawan' outside Rahul Gandhi's residence in Delhi. Swing votes can make all the difference to the Congress party fortunes.

In Jhalrapatan, which is Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje Scindia's seat, Congress' Manvendra Singh, who is BJP veteran Jaswant Singh's son, is leading. But these are just postal ballots which are being counted, and are no indication at all of where the results will head.

Counting of votes for Madhya Pradesh Assembly's 230 seats began at 8 am Tuesday. As many as 2,907 candidates were in fray for the November 28 assembly polls as Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan of BJP is attempting a fourth term in office, while challenger Congress expects to return to power after a 15-year gap. Exit polls predicted a close race between the BJP and the Congress, though leaders from both parties have routinely claimed their respective victories.


Madhya Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer V L Kantha Rao told reporters that counting began with the postal ballots at 51 centres across the state.

And the counting of votes for Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and Telangana begin. 


Image: Visuals from the Congress Office in Hyderabad. Counting of votes for the state assembly elections has just begun.

Chhattisgarh: Visuals from outside a counting centre in Raipur. Counting of votes for the polls are set to begin any time now. 

Exit polls have predicted a tight finish between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, and a win for the opposition party in Rajasthan. They also predicted that the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti in Telangana will retain power. Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan are all ruled by the BJP presently.


While Republic TV-Jan Ki Baat gave 108-128 seats to the BJP and 95-115 to the Congress in the 230-member Madhya Pradesh, India Today-Axis said the saffron party could win 102-120 seats as against 104-122 for the Congress.


However, the Times Now-CNX exit poll predicted a majority for the BJP in MP with 126 seats and gave the Congress a tally of 89 seats.On the other hand, ABP News exit poll said the Congress is likely to get a majority by bagging 126 seats. The BJP, it added, would get 94 seats. In the 90-member Chhattisgarh assembly, exit polls broadcast by Republic-C Voter predicted 35-43 seats for the BJP and 40-50 for the Congress while the News Nation forecast a close race with 38-42 seats for the BJP and 40-44 for the Congress.


Times Now-CNX, however, gave a simple majority to the BJP in Chhattisgarh, saying it may win 46 seats while the opposition Congress may bag 35 seats. ABP News said the BJP may get up to 52 seats against 35 of the Congress.


However, India Today-Axis predicted the Congress is set to end Chief Minister Raman Singh's 15-year old reign by winning anywhere between 55-65 seats. The BJP, it said, may be reduced to 21-31 seats.

Counting of votes will begin soon in what is being viewed as a prestige battle for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.