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Sun, 08 December 2013
Live! No question of supporting AAP in Delhi: Congress
Timeline Refresh
23:44 No question of supporting AAP in Delhi: Congress
Amid speculation that the party could consider supporting Aam Aadmi Party to form a government in Delhi, the Congress today ruled out any such move.
"We are not not considering supporting any party in Delhi. There is no question of supporting the Aam Aadmi Party,"AICC general secretary in-charge for Delhi Shakeel Ahmed said.
23:41 Karunanidhi refuses to comment on Congress's poll prospects
Asked if today's setback for the Congress will reflect in the Lok Sabha polls in 2014, DMK chief Karunanidhi said he cannot respond to speculation.
DMK was a coalition partner in the Congress-led UPA at the Centre before walking out from the alliance over the Sri Lankan Tamils issue.
23:40 Over 53 world leaders to attend Nelson Mandela's memorial
At least 53 heads of state and government, including President Pranab Mukherjee, will attend the memorial event for peace icon Nelson Mandela, making it one of the largest such gatherings in generations.
There has been "unprecedented interest" to attend the statesman's funeral, South African Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane told a news conference.
The dignitaries who have confirmed attendance at upcoming memorial events include US President Barack Obama, Brazilian leader Dilma Rousseff, French President Francois Hollande and British Prime Minister David Cameron.
22:57 Riot reported from Little India, Singapore
A riot broke out in Little India, Singapore, on Sunday night. According to media reports, some police cars were torched in the riot-hit area.
22:55 Won't stake claim for government formation in Delhi: BJP
BJP's chief ministerial candidate Harsh Vardhan tonight said he will not stake claim to form a government in Delhi, as his party is short of a clear majority, and would prefer to sit in the Opposition than indulging in "horse trading".
BJP emerged as the single largest party in the Delhi assembly elections, winning 31 seats, falling short of the majority mark of 36 in a House of 70.
"I don't know what's going to happen, but I am finding myself in a helpless situation where I had promised to give them a transparent administration. Since I don't have the numbers, I cannot stake my claim in forming the government in Delhi. So I don't really know what is going to happen," he said.
22:27 Did the 'Modi factor' work at all?
Did the much-hyped Narendra Modi work at all in the assembly polls? Did the BJP manage to increase its voter percentage in these 'semi-final' polls?
22:23 Omar Abdullah congratulates Kejriwal
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today congratulated Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal for his party's stunning political debut by bagging 28 seats out of 70 in the Delhi assembly elections.
"Congratulations to @ArvindKejriwal Stunning political debut. Now fight the good fight & live up to the promise the people of Delhi have seen," Omar posted on Twitter today.
22:22 Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot quits
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot tonight resigned after the Congress was dislodged from power in the state, but said his party would continue to work for the welfare of the people.
The Congress would analyse factors that led to the party's drubbing in the state, he told reporters after submitting his resignation to Governor Margaret Alva.
"I humbly accept defeat and congratulate the winners.We will continue to work for the welfare of the people and play a positive role," Gehlot said.
"We will analyse what went wrong," he said.
21:53 Will form govt in Delhi only if we get enough support: BJP
Former BJP president Nitin Gadkari has said that the party will form the government in Delhi only if they could get support in the natural process.
"Otherwise, we would like to sit in the Opposition," he said.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
21:31 Time for Congress to introspect: Maharashtra CM
In the wake of the Congress' crushing defeat in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi assembly polls, Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan today said it is time for the party to introspect.
"Congress fought the elections on development issues, but people have rejected it. It is now time for the party to introspect," Chavan told reporters.
21:10 No birthday celebrations for Sonia on Monday
Congress President Sonia Gandhi will turn 67 on Monday but there will be no celebrations in view of the demise of Nelson Mandela.
Party sources insisted that the decision was not linked to the assembly election results. The country is observing five-day State mourning since Friday as a mark of respect to the late South African leader.
21:09 Finally, some good news for the Congress!
The Congress may finally have something to cheer about.
The party has won 8 out of the 12 assembly seats in worst Naxal-affected Bastar region of Chhattisgarh.
Slain Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee chief Nand Kumar Patel's son Umesh has won from the Kharsia constituency, defeating BJP's Jawaharlal Naik by a margin of 38,888 votes.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Ajit Jogi's wife Renu has won Chhattisgarh's Kota seat, defeating BJP's Kashiram Sahu.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
19:46 Samajwadi Party fails to open account in Delhi, MP
With the Samajwadi Party failing to open its account in Delhi and Madhya Pradesh in the just-held assembly polls, party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav today dissolved the state units in the two states.
A brief statement from SP national General Secretary Ram Gopal Yadav said Mulayam Singh has dissolved the state units in Delhi and Madhya Pradesh with immediate effect.
The Samajwadi Party was banking on its traditional support base of Other Backward Classes and Muslims and had hoped to win at least seven seats in Delhi. It had fielded candidates in 27 of the 70 seats.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
19:15 Emergence of AAP warning to major parties, say Cong, BJP
The emergence of Aam Aadmi Party is a warning to major political parties to act responsibly in future, Congress and BJP said today.
Congress General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi said the rise of Arvind Kejriwal's party should be seen as a sign of healthy democracy and not an unhealthy one.
"The victory of AAP is symbolic. Major political parties failed to live up to the hopes and aspirations of the people and AAP has given voice to the anger of the people. It is a sign of healthy democracy and not an unhealthy democracy," he said.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
Congress General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi said the rise of Arvind Kejriwal's party should be seen as a sign of healthy democracy and not an unhealthy one.
"The victory of AAP is symbolic. Major political parties failed to live up to the hopes and aspirations of the people and AAP has given voice to the anger of the people. It is a sign of healthy democracy and not an unhealthy democracy," he said.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
19:14 Raman Singh expresses 'gratitude to the people of Chhattisgarh'
Chief Minister Raman Singh thanked the people of Chhattisgarh for BJP's imminent hat-trick in the Assembly elections in the state this evening, and said they had once again shown faith in the development works of his government.
"It is a historic day and I express my gratitude to the people of the state for showing faith in the development done by the BJP," Singh said, as the party seemed poised to secure majority after a closely contested battle with Congress.
"People have voted us to power for the third time and it is a victory of the people the state," he said.
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"It is a historic day and I express my gratitude to the people of the state for showing faith in the development done by the BJP," Singh said, as the party seemed poised to secure majority after a closely contested battle with Congress.
"People have voted us to power for the third time and it is a victory of the people the state," he said.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
19:08 Live! No laddoos, band baaja for AAP, just happy volunteers waving jhadoos
This is how Arvind Kejriwal celebrates his party's magnificent debut and his personal win.
At the AAP HQ in Delhi, there are no organised celebrations, no distribution of food packets, laddoos, no band baaja. Just many, many happy volunteers with candles and much waving of jhadoos.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
At the AAP HQ in Delhi, there are no organised celebrations, no distribution of food packets, laddoos, no band baaja. Just many, many happy volunteers with candles and much waving of jhadoos.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
19:03 Delhi has the youngest MLAs, average age just 43!
Delhi has emerged as the youngest assembly in terms of age of elected legislators from the four states, with an estimated average age of about 43 years for MLAs elected in the national capital.
In comparison, the average age of MLAs elected in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are estimated at 47 years and 48 years respectively, although a large number of leaders aged 60 and above have been voted in all the four states.
The average age of elected MLAs in Chhattisgarh is also nearly 48 years.
However, it is Madhya Pradesh which may have the youngest Chief Minister among the four states.
While Shivraj Singh Chouhan is aged 56, BJP's chief ministerial candidate in Delhi Harsh Vardhan is aged 58 years, while Rajasthan's Vasundhara Raje Scindia as also Chhattishgarh's Raman Singh are aged 61 years each, as per their election affidavits.
In Chhattisgarh, Congress leader Renu Jogi, wife of former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi, is also aged 61.
Among the main leaders who were in contention for chief ministerial positions in four states, the youngest, however, happens to be Aam Aadmi Party's Arvind Kejriwal at 45.
His party has emerged as the second largest after BJP in Delhi.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
In comparison, the average age of MLAs elected in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are estimated at 47 years and 48 years respectively, although a large number of leaders aged 60 and above have been voted in all the four states.
The average age of elected MLAs in Chhattisgarh is also nearly 48 years.
However, it is Madhya Pradesh which may have the youngest Chief Minister among the four states.
While Shivraj Singh Chouhan is aged 56, BJP's chief ministerial candidate in Delhi Harsh Vardhan is aged 58 years, while Rajasthan's Vasundhara Raje Scindia as also Chhattishgarh's Raman Singh are aged 61 years each, as per their election affidavits.
In Chhattisgarh, Congress leader Renu Jogi, wife of former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi, is also aged 61.
Among the main leaders who were in contention for chief ministerial positions in four states, the youngest, however, happens to be Aam Aadmi Party's Arvind Kejriwal at 45.
His party has emerged as the second largest after BJP in Delhi.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
18:57 Laddoos and leaders at BJP HQ
Right now, conversation and laddoos (we assume) at the BJP HQ in New Delhi. Narendra Modi, who arrived in the capital this afternoon, is holding a meeting with party leaders on the way ahead.
18:49 Gorakhpur Muslims celebrate BJP win in four states
Muslims in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, are celebrating the anticipated victory of BJP prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi in the 2014 general elections.
They distributed sweets and shouted BJP victory slogans. The party is heading for a four nil sweep in Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
"We are confident that the way in which people of the poll bound states have entrusted their support to the Bharatiya Janata Party, the party will also stand up to the expectations of the people.
They distributed sweets and shouted BJP victory slogans. The party is heading for a four nil sweep in Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
"We are confident that the way in which people of the poll bound states have entrusted their support to the Bharatiya Janata Party, the party will also stand up to the expectations of the people.
18:41 Won't take party in any wheeling-dealing: AAP
Arvind Kejriwal in his address to his supporters and the press said that the historic vote places enormous responsibility on the AAP.
"We wish to assure the citizens of Delhi that AAP shall not take part in any political wheeling-dealing that might ensue following this "hung verdict'.
"We have made a solemn promise to the voters of Delhi that we shall neither seek nor offer support to any part of the corrupt political establishment of the country.
"We wish to reiterate that the Delhi election is only the first step in our political journey. We are here to challenge the political establishment throughout the country.
Our next mission would be to offer a genuine political alternative in the Lok Sabha elections 2014. "
Sincere, simple and straight from the heart. We hope Kejriwal keeps his promise to the people that he and his party will always be rooted in honesty.
"We wish to assure the citizens of Delhi that AAP shall not take part in any political wheeling-dealing that might ensue following this "hung verdict'.
"We have made a solemn promise to the voters of Delhi that we shall neither seek nor offer support to any part of the corrupt political establishment of the country.
"We wish to reiterate that the Delhi election is only the first step in our political journey. We are here to challenge the political establishment throughout the country.
Our next mission would be to offer a genuine political alternative in the Lok Sabha elections 2014. "
Sincere, simple and straight from the heart. We hope Kejriwal keeps his promise to the people that he and his party will always be rooted in honesty.
18:28
BJP's Yashodhara Raje Scindia wins from Shivpuri seat by a margin of 11,145 votes by defeating her nearest rival Birendra Singh of Congress.
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18:26 26/11 disabled commando denied govt benefits wins AAP seat
Commando Surender Singh, who was injured fighting terrorists at the Taj Mahal hotel in the 26/11 attacks is now an Aam Aadmi Party candidate for the Delhi assembly elections, fighting corruption. That is old news.
What is news, is that he won!
Read his story.
Also read: Agree with AK or not, system in shambles!
#Assembly-Polls-2013
What is news, is that he won!
Read his story.
Also read: Agree with AK or not, system in shambles!
#Assembly-Polls-2013
18:16 Live! Kejriwal: Will sit in opposition, won't support any party
We'll be the opposition says, Arvind Kejriwal says after his historic win. It was by far the best speech of the day from all the winners. Grace and humility despite slaying the a stalwart like Sheila Dikshit. He also apologised for any unwitting mistakes.
"We will play the role of a constructive opposition and will not seek support from any party to form the govt," he said.
Pritish Nandy tweets: I had begun to believe we Indians are cynical, love to wallow in corruption. The votes for AAP have proved me wrong. Totally wrong.
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"We will play the role of a constructive opposition and will not seek support from any party to form the govt," he said.
Pritish Nandy tweets: I had begun to believe we Indians are cynical, love to wallow in corruption. The votes for AAP have proved me wrong. Totally wrong.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
18:06 Live! Kejriwal: Victory of people, no personal enmity with Sheila Dikshit
Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Yogendra Yadav trying to get people to settle down at the press conference outside his HQ in Delhi.
Kejriwal was the man of the match today after he beat Sheila Dikshit by around 20000 votes.
Kejriwal says, the elections were fought on honesty, truth and integrity. So far, politics was always equated with corruption and dirt. People had no other option and the people have shown that unless these parties change, the public has shown that they will oust them.
"We are very ordinary people. He names each winner in the AAP today, ordinary people, who defeated political stalwarts.
When ordinary people take extraordinary steps, people support them.
This is the victory of the people and India. They have shown parties like the BJP and the Congress
We are the first party to stop taking donations as soon as the target of Rs 20 crore was fulfilled. It has never happened in the history of elections in this country."
He says AAP has no personal enmity with Sheila Dikshit. It was about principles.
He says people have left their jobs to fight this election with AAP. These volunteers of AAP, have taken leave, shut shops, quit jobs, to make a difference, he said. He thanked the volunteers and their families for their involvement and unstinting work for the party.
The common man has arisen."
He reiterates that AAP will not give or take support from any party.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
Kejriwal was the man of the match today after he beat Sheila Dikshit by around 20000 votes.
Kejriwal says, the elections were fought on honesty, truth and integrity. So far, politics was always equated with corruption and dirt. People had no other option and the people have shown that unless these parties change, the public has shown that they will oust them.
"We are very ordinary people. He names each winner in the AAP today, ordinary people, who defeated political stalwarts.
When ordinary people take extraordinary steps, people support them.
This is the victory of the people and India. They have shown parties like the BJP and the Congress
We are the first party to stop taking donations as soon as the target of Rs 20 crore was fulfilled. It has never happened in the history of elections in this country."
He says AAP has no personal enmity with Sheila Dikshit. It was about principles.
He says people have left their jobs to fight this election with AAP. These volunteers of AAP, have taken leave, shut shops, quit jobs, to make a difference, he said. He thanked the volunteers and their families for their involvement and unstinting work for the party.
The common man has arisen."
He reiterates that AAP will not give or take support from any party.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
17:55 NCP downplays BJP poll show, finds fault with ally Congress
The NCP today sought to downplay the good performance of the BJP in the latest Assembly elections and claimed the "Modi factor" did not help the saffron party.
At the same time, the Sharad Pawar-led out party found fault with its ally Congress, saying it had become complacent and stopped making efforts to win elections.
"Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have been the bastions of BJP since the time of Jan Sangh (earlier avatar of BJP). The Modi factor did not work in States like Chhattisgarh and Delhi," Maharashtra NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said.
Taking potshots at Congress, he said, "Congress is not making additional efforts (to win polls). They want people to vote for them by default and this has led to their dismal performance."
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At the same time, the Sharad Pawar-led out party found fault with its ally Congress, saying it had become complacent and stopped making efforts to win elections.
"Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have been the bastions of BJP since the time of Jan Sangh (earlier avatar of BJP). The Modi factor did not work in States like Chhattisgarh and Delhi," Maharashtra NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said.
Taking potshots at Congress, he said, "Congress is not making additional efforts (to win polls). They want people to vote for them by default and this has led to their dismal performance."
#Assembly-Polls-2013
17:52
Arvind Kejriwal to address the press any minute now.
Shiv Aroor tweets: Anna Hazare fighting hard not to sound like a petulant hypocrite. He's probably more stunned than anyone else.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
Shiv Aroor tweets: Anna Hazare fighting hard not to sound like a petulant hypocrite. He's probably more stunned than anyone else.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
17:44 Delhi has voted against 15 years of Congress misgovernance: Vijay Goel
Delhi BJP chief Vijay Goel (and wannabe CM contender) today said that people here have voted against 15 years of Congress' misgovernance, while asserting that the saffron outfit will form the next government in the state.
"I think we will get the majority, and we will form government here. People have voted against 15 years of Congress' mis-governance, corruption, and inflation among other issues. When BJP will come to power, it will form a good government,' he said.
He further said that people have held former chief minister Sheila Dikshit responsible for the extent of development in the state, and voted accordingly.
"Sheila Dikshit has definitely lost, and since she has been the chief minister for the last 15 years, people have held her responsible and voted accordingly," he added.
"I think we will get the majority, and we will form government here. People have voted against 15 years of Congress' mis-governance, corruption, and inflation among other issues. When BJP will come to power, it will form a good government,' he said.
He further said that people have held former chief minister Sheila Dikshit responsible for the extent of development in the state, and voted accordingly.
"Sheila Dikshit has definitely lost, and since she has been the chief minister for the last 15 years, people have held her responsible and voted accordingly," he added.
17:41 Sena attributes poll results to resentment against Congress
BJP ally Shiv Sena today attributed saffron party's performance in the Assembly elections in four states to "resentment of the people against Congress".
"It is a phenomenal performance by BJP. The Congress has been trounced in three out of the four states. They could not even save their government in Delhi," Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut said.
Calling it a failure of the "Gandhi family", he said that Congress had been wiped out in Rajasthan.
Raut also said that Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's style of functioning helped him retain the power.
He also credited BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi for campaigning hard for the party.
"It is a phenomenal performance by BJP. The Congress has been trounced in three out of the four states. They could not even save their government in Delhi," Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut said.
Calling it a failure of the "Gandhi family", he said that Congress had been wiped out in Rajasthan.
Raut also said that Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's style of functioning helped him retain the power.
He also credited BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi for campaigning hard for the party.
17:30 Mantra behind Shivraj Singh Chouhan's hat-trick
A carefully cultivated image of family man coupled with simplicity, Shivraj Singh Chouhan led the BJP campaign presenting himself as one among the people promising further development to score an impressive hat-trick in Madhya Pradesh assembly election. Read
17:28 Rahul: Will learn from AAP to involve common man
Rahul Gandhi's speech follows:
Rahul says people have given the party its message, but the party has the ability to transform itself. And the Congress party is going to do just that.
The party was ready to transform itself.
He said he congratulated his opponents and said that he believed Sheila Dikshit had given good governance.
He said it was "our duty as institutions of the people to transform, ourselves. We need to give voice to the common man."
He said the Congress had to learn from the AAP to involve the common man. "Traditional parties did not do it. We will do it and we will do a better job," he said.
And a smattering of this and that: Speaking on Narendra Modi, he is the Gujarat CM was the leader of the BJP and it had its own perspectives. The Congress has a vision of this country, we have a perspective and our job is to push our perspective."
Gautam Chikermane tweets: First time, Rahul Gandhi spoke clearly, with conviction. If defeat can bring this transformation, Congress is on the right track.
Delhi tally so far: BJP:30 AAP: 23 CONG: 7 Others: 1
#Assembly-Polls-2013
Rahul says people have given the party its message, but the party has the ability to transform itself. And the Congress party is going to do just that.
The party was ready to transform itself.
He said he congratulated his opponents and said that he believed Sheila Dikshit had given good governance.
He said it was "our duty as institutions of the people to transform, ourselves. We need to give voice to the common man."
He said the Congress had to learn from the AAP to involve the common man. "Traditional parties did not do it. We will do it and we will do a better job," he said.
And a smattering of this and that: Speaking on Narendra Modi, he is the Gujarat CM was the leader of the BJP and it had its own perspectives. The Congress has a vision of this country, we have a perspective and our job is to push our perspective."
Gautam Chikermane tweets: First time, Rahul Gandhi spoke clearly, with conviction. If defeat can bring this transformation, Congress is on the right track.
Delhi tally so far: BJP:30 AAP: 23 CONG: 7 Others: 1
#Assembly-Polls-2013
17:08 Live! Sonia's first statement after defeat: Results terribly disappointing
Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi address the press.
Sonia Gandhi, speaking first, congratulated the BJP for their wins in MP and Rajasthan and said she was still hopeful of a win in Chhattisgarh.
She said workers from other states have worked very hard in the election campaign and the results were terribly disappointing.
She says there were many reasons for the defeat and it calls for deep introspection. "We have to look at the way our own party is equipped or not equipped in running an election. Obviously, people are unhappy. Price rise was an issue. Yet, I thought our chief minister in Rajasthan had run some very good programmes. So there is a question mark there. A great
deal of work was done in Rajasthan. We will take all necessary actions to rectify the situation, but the losses in the state polls are not a reflection on what will happen in the Lok Sabha elections. She said the PM candidate would be announced at an appropriate time.
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Sonia Gandhi, speaking first, congratulated the BJP for their wins in MP and Rajasthan and said she was still hopeful of a win in Chhattisgarh.
She said workers from other states have worked very hard in the election campaign and the results were terribly disappointing.
She says there were many reasons for the defeat and it calls for deep introspection. "We have to look at the way our own party is equipped or not equipped in running an election. Obviously, people are unhappy. Price rise was an issue. Yet, I thought our chief minister in Rajasthan had run some very good programmes. So there is a question mark there. A great
deal of work was done in Rajasthan. We will take all necessary actions to rectify the situation, but the losses in the state polls are not a reflection on what will happen in the Lok Sabha elections. She said the PM candidate would be announced at an appropriate time.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
16:50 12 ways the Congress can fight back!
The script has a seen-before feel about it. Elections are held to five state assemblies a year before the general election. The BJP sweeps the elections, and the Congress ends up as a poor loser.
So, what is it that the Congress can do to change its fortunes?
Rediff.com's Saisuresh Sivaswamy lists 12 points. Read this Rahul.
So, what is it that the Congress can do to change its fortunes?
Rediff.com's Saisuresh Sivaswamy lists 12 points. Read this Rahul.
16:44 Live! Cong hints at 'major announcement' after resounding rout
Top Congress sources have hinted at a "major announcement" soon, revealing that the party was taking the defeat seriously.
But party leaders did their best to deflect questions that pitted Narendra Modi against Rahul Gandhi, attributing their poor showing to factors ranging from disunity to the inability to read the popular pulse.
All Congress leaders, junior or senior, said that the Congress was not a one man show, but a party which believed in collective defeat and collective failure. -- NDTV
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But party leaders did their best to deflect questions that pitted Narendra Modi against Rahul Gandhi, attributing their poor showing to factors ranging from disunity to the inability to read the popular pulse.
All Congress leaders, junior or senior, said that the Congress was not a one man show, but a party which believed in collective defeat and collective failure. -- NDTV
#Assembly-Polls-2013
16:34
A Congress supporter at 24 Akbar Road, tweets Mihir Sharma. Possibly, the only man there.
16:32
In the Surat west, by-election of the Gujarat polls, BJP's Purnesh Modi has won by 78.30 per cent votes. The Congress candidate has got 10,000 votes less than his count in the December 2012 polls.
16:28 2014 will not be about Modi versus Rahul alone
- Narendra Modi will need to understand that the formula for success will have to be Local Leaders + Modi and not Modi alone...
-- Shivraj Singh Chauhan is in the running for prime minister...
-- The AAP will have to ally with other parties if it hopes to make any dent in the Lok Sabha election.
Dr B Venkatesh Kumar, Professor at the Centre for Governance and Public Policy at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, lists some learnings from the 2013 assembly election results. Read
-- Shivraj Singh Chauhan is in the running for prime minister...
-- The AAP will have to ally with other parties if it hopes to make any dent in the Lok Sabha election.
Dr B Venkatesh Kumar, Professor at the Centre for Governance and Public Policy at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, lists some learnings from the 2013 assembly election results. Read
16:23 Rahul is not in a hurry to become PM: Congress
Congress general secretary Janardhan Dwivedi today said, the party lost the assembly elections due to organisational weaknesses.
Which is precisely the term the party had used when it lost the UP polls.
He also admitted that "everything is not well in the central government".
Replying to questions from mediapersons, Dwivedi said, Congress is not in a hurry to make party vice president Rahul Gandhi its prime ministerial candidate.
"We lost the assembly elections due to organisational weaknesses and groupism", admitted Dwivedi.
Which is precisely the term the party had used when it lost the UP polls.
He also admitted that "everything is not well in the central government".
Replying to questions from mediapersons, Dwivedi said, Congress is not in a hurry to make party vice president Rahul Gandhi its prime ministerial candidate.
"We lost the assembly elections due to organisational weaknesses and groupism", admitted Dwivedi.
16:19
And of course, the jokes begin.
Arvind: Hey Sheila, want to hear a joke?
Sheila: Sure! Arvind
Arvind: Delhi
Sheila: I didn't get it
Arvind: Exactly!
#Assembly-Polls-2013
Arvind: Hey Sheila, want to hear a joke?
Sheila: Sure! Arvind
Arvind: Delhi
Sheila: I didn't get it
Arvind: Exactly!
#Assembly-Polls-2013
16:17 Gehlot wins by 18,748 votes
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot today won Sardarpura seat by defeating his nearest rival Shambhusingh Khetasar of the BJP. Gehlot won the seat by a margin of 18,478 votes. Out of 103 seats, of which results have been declared, Congress could bag only 10 seats.
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15:58
Narendra Modi tweets: BJP's victory across the states is spectacular. I congratulate Rajnath ji, Party leaders & Karyakartas for their hardwork in the elections.
Modi is at the BJP HQ in Delhi now. Vasundhara Raje Scindia is expected in Delhi shortly.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
Modi is at the BJP HQ in Delhi now. Vasundhara Raje Scindia is expected in Delhi shortly.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
15:56
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh defeats Congress' Alka Mudaliyar in Rajnandgaon constituency by 35,866 votes.
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15:54
Sir Sri Jhunjhunwala: Congress views Rahul Gandhi the way Yashraj Films views Uday Chopra. They think he's a superstar.Its everyone else who thinks he's a jackas.
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15:52 Modi arrives in Delhi, Mahindra Karma's wife wins from Dantewada
Narendra Modi has arrived at the BJP HQ in Delhi holding aloft a bouquet of flowers. Time to credit for the BJP win has arrived.
Results so far:
Delhi: BJP 25, AAP 19
Chhattisgarh: BJP 18, Cong 18
Madhya Pradesh: BJP 83, Cong+ 21
Rajasthan: BJP: 133, Cong 20
Meanwhile, Bastar tiger Mahendra Karma's wife wins from Dantewada. Karma was killed in a Naxal attack on a convoy carrying Congress leaders of Chhattisgarh in May this year.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
Results so far:
Delhi: BJP 25, AAP 19
Chhattisgarh: BJP 18, Cong 18
Madhya Pradesh: BJP 83, Cong+ 21
Rajasthan: BJP: 133, Cong 20
Meanwhile, Bastar tiger Mahendra Karma's wife wins from Dantewada. Karma was killed in a Naxal attack on a convoy carrying Congress leaders of Chhattisgarh in May this year.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
15:44 When Indira Gandhi spotted Sheila Dikshit
First elected to the Lok Sabha in 1984 from Kannauj Parliamentary Constituency of Uttar Pradesh, Sheila Dikshit served as a Minister under Rajiv Gandhi first as the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and later as a Minister of State in the Prime Minister's office.
While managing her father-in-law Uma Shankar Dikshit's affairs, Sheila's potential was noticed by Indira Gandhi. Impressed by her work, Gandhi nominated Sheila as a member of the Indian delegation to the UN Commission on status of women.
She served as Minister of State for Parliamentary affairs in Rajiv Gandhi's Cabinet between 1986-89 but was in brief hibernation after losing Lok Sabha elections in 1989 from Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh.
The Congress sprang a surprise in 1998 when it made her the president of faction-ridden Delhi Congress and then the Chief Minister. Dikshit led Congress to victory in 2003 and 2008, riding on the twin-plank of governance and development.
While managing her father-in-law Uma Shankar Dikshit's affairs, Sheila's potential was noticed by Indira Gandhi. Impressed by her work, Gandhi nominated Sheila as a member of the Indian delegation to the UN Commission on status of women.
She served as Minister of State for Parliamentary affairs in Rajiv Gandhi's Cabinet between 1986-89 but was in brief hibernation after losing Lok Sabha elections in 1989 from Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh.
The Congress sprang a surprise in 1998 when it made her the president of faction-ridden Delhi Congress and then the Chief Minister. Dikshit led Congress to victory in 2003 and 2008, riding on the twin-plank of governance and development.
15:41 Sheila Dikshit's weary shoulders had to carry poll campaign alone
75-year-old Dikshit's electoral fortunes came crashing down in the Delhi Assembly elections billed as a litmus test for Congress ahead of Lok Sabha polls next year and which witnessed the first-ever triangular contest. Congress and BJP were the traditional rivals since the first Delhi elections in 1993.
A stung Dikshit -- one of the most successful woman politicians -- probably could not have expected the scale of drubbing for Congress that came as a bolt from the blue as entry of Aam Aaadmi Party(AAP) altered the political landscape in the national capital.
With Dikshit herself losing from New Delhi at the hands of AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal, the future of the three-time Chief Minister appears to be uncertain.
Dikshit was the lone face of the Congress, except for a few fleeting appearances of Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, as she carried the burden of the poll campaign.
She campaigned hard across the city addressing around seven to eight rallies daily to take on formidable BJP which had deployed a battery of star campaigners including its Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
A stung Dikshit -- one of the most successful woman politicians -- probably could not have expected the scale of drubbing for Congress that came as a bolt from the blue as entry of Aam Aaadmi Party(AAP) altered the political landscape in the national capital.
With Dikshit herself losing from New Delhi at the hands of AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal, the future of the three-time Chief Minister appears to be uncertain.
Dikshit was the lone face of the Congress, except for a few fleeting appearances of Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, as she carried the burden of the poll campaign.
She campaigned hard across the city addressing around seven to eight rallies daily to take on formidable BJP which had deployed a battery of star campaigners including its Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
15:38
Arvind Kejriwal has maintained that he will neither take nor give support. All or nothing. Kejriwal wins by 22,000 votes, according to AAP.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
#Assembly-Polls-2013
15:33 Omar: Remember Sheila Dikshit transformed Delhi
UPA ally Omar Abdullah tweets: Congratulations to @ArvindKejriwal Stunning political debut. Now fight the good fight & live up to the promise the people of Delhi have seen. At the same time when the dust settles on this election I hope we still remember the amazing transformation of Delhi under Mrs Dixit's 15yrs.
15:31 Live! AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal defeats Sheila Dikshit
Arvind Kejriwal and Kumar Vishwas appear at the window of the AAP office in Delhi to a shower of petals. Amid chants of Bharat Mata ki jai, a beaming Kejriwal says it is a victory of the people, the country.
Kerjiwal and the AAP certainly took a risk by contesting the polls against Sheila Dikshit, but the party wanted the voter to know that they were not afraid and were serious about their debut.
If AAP loses, (BJP: 21, AAP: 18) Kejriwal will be the leader of the opposition in the assembly. If AAP wins, the chief minister of Delhi.
BJP still to get the magic figure of 35 seats.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
Kerjiwal and the AAP certainly took a risk by contesting the polls against Sheila Dikshit, but the party wanted the voter to know that they were not afraid and were serious about their debut.
If AAP loses, (BJP: 21, AAP: 18) Kejriwal will be the leader of the opposition in the assembly. If AAP wins, the chief minister of Delhi.
BJP still to get the magic figure of 35 seats.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
15:21 Live! AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal defeats Sheila Dikshit
Waving brooms - AAP's election symbol- and placards, jubilant supporters of the party today converged outside its office in large numbers after its impressive performance in the Delhi Assembly election.
The activists chanted "Vande Matram" and danced to the beating of drums outside the premises while police beefed up security.
AAP senior leader Kumar Vishwas told supporters, who were awaiting the final results, that the party has answered Sheila Dikshit and all others who had raised doubts about it.
Supporters were also seen applying colour on each other as celebrations started soon after the trends showed that the party was leading in over 26 seats.
Meanwhile, news comes in that Arvind Kejriwal beats Sheila Dikshit.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
The activists chanted "Vande Matram" and danced to the beating of drums outside the premises while police beefed up security.
AAP senior leader Kumar Vishwas told supporters, who were awaiting the final results, that the party has answered Sheila Dikshit and all others who had raised doubts about it.
Supporters were also seen applying colour on each other as celebrations started soon after the trends showed that the party was leading in over 26 seats.
Meanwhile, news comes in that Arvind Kejriwal beats Sheila Dikshit.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
15:15
Seats declared so far:
Delhi: BJP: 18, AAP: 16
Rajasthan: BJP: 118, Cong: 17
MP: BJP: 59, Cong: 17
Chhattisgarh: BJP: 11, Cong: 15
#Assembly-Polls-2013
Delhi: BJP: 18, AAP: 16
Rajasthan: BJP: 118, Cong: 17
MP: BJP: 59, Cong: 17
Chhattisgarh: BJP: 11, Cong: 15
#Assembly-Polls-2013
15:10 AAP's rise, a matter of concern for both BJP, Cong: Rudy
BJP today said the rise of Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi is a matter of concern for it as much as for Congress and maintained it could have won clear majority had it not been a three-cornered fight.
BJP General Secretary Rajiv Pratap Rudy said his party could have done even better if it had taken certain timely steps.
"In Delhi, space has been given to a local outfit - Aam Aadmi Party. There could be other reasons. BJP failed to position a chief ministerial candidate at the right time.
"The national channels also projected that national parties are unable to deliver. But BJP should be able to form government," he said.
Rudy conceded that rise of AAP is a matter of concern for both BJP and Congress. "Regional manifesto is setting the national agenda. This is what happened in Delhi. A great churning is taking place. AAP votes should actually have come to BJP. Then it would have been a landslide victory for BJP," he said.
Deputy leader of BJP in Rajya Sabha Ravi Shankar Prasad said AAP has put up good performance in Delhi but had it not been in the fray his party would have done better. He was, however, confident of a clear majority for BJP in Delhi.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
BJP General Secretary Rajiv Pratap Rudy said his party could have done even better if it had taken certain timely steps.
"In Delhi, space has been given to a local outfit - Aam Aadmi Party. There could be other reasons. BJP failed to position a chief ministerial candidate at the right time.
"The national channels also projected that national parties are unable to deliver. But BJP should be able to form government," he said.
Rudy conceded that rise of AAP is a matter of concern for both BJP and Congress. "Regional manifesto is setting the national agenda. This is what happened in Delhi. A great churning is taking place. AAP votes should actually have come to BJP. Then it would have been a landslide victory for BJP," he said.
Deputy leader of BJP in Rajya Sabha Ravi Shankar Prasad said AAP has put up good performance in Delhi but had it not been in the fray his party would have done better. He was, however, confident of a clear majority for BJP in Delhi.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
15:03
Shankkar Aiyar tweets: On the BBM Network. Ringtone for Congress "karwate badalte rahe saari raat hum...AAP ki kasam..."
More results: Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha Speaker Deependra Singh Shekhawat defeated. AAP defeats Cong veteran Sajjan Kumar's son in Sangam Vihar.
In GK BJP supremo Malhotra's son taken dwn by AAP
More results: Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha Speaker Deependra Singh Shekhawat defeated. AAP defeats Cong veteran Sajjan Kumar's son in Sangam Vihar.
In GK BJP supremo Malhotra's son taken dwn by AAP
14:46 Will AAP make a 'historic blunder' by refusing to ally
Mihir Sharma: AAP should learn from the Left's "historic blunder". Turn down a shot at power, and you're no longer seen as a credible player.
Results in Delhi: BJP: 15, AAP: 13. Cong: 4
The late West Bengal CM had turned down the offer to become the prime minister, which he later admitted was a historic blunder.
Also read: If experience means buying votes, than thank god we are inexperienced: AAP
#Assembly-Polls-2013
Results in Delhi: BJP: 15, AAP: 13. Cong: 4
The late West Bengal CM had turned down the offer to become the prime minister, which he later admitted was a historic blunder.
Also read: If experience means buying votes, than thank god we are inexperienced: AAP
#Assembly-Polls-2013
14:37 Live! AAP's Shazia Ilmi loses, Manish Sisodia wins
AAP's Shazia Ilmi loses by just 400 votes in RK Puram to the BJP candidate.
She is the only senior leader of the AAP to have lost. Is this the effect
the sting operation on Shazia Ilmi where it was alleged that she and Kumar Vishwas were involved in raising funds through illegal means.
The jury is still out on that.
She is the only senior leader of the AAP to have lost. Is this the effect
the sting operation on Shazia Ilmi where it was alleged that she and Kumar Vishwas were involved in raising funds through illegal means.
The jury is still out on that.
14:24 No wave but effect on their cadre is obvious: Omar
Deriving lessons from the just concluded assembly polls in five states, Omar shared his observations on Twitter and said, "Note to self 2014 - there is no 'wave' but the effect on their cadre is obvious. Can't afford to underestimate this going ahead."
This tweet was in reference to BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and BJP without naming them.
Jammu and Kashmir is scheduled for polls by end of 2014.
This tweet was in reference to BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and BJP without naming them.
Jammu and Kashmir is scheduled for polls by end of 2014.
14:22 Cong: Utterly outstanding performance by AAP
Mani Shankar Aiyar, an ardent critic of the AAP and Arvind Kejriwal, says he wants to congratulate the party on their "utterly outstanding performance. He has stopped the BJP from conquering Delhi. it was clear that the Congress was not going to come back," he says.
14:19 Anna warns Kejriwal against going for a 'khichdi sarkar'
With Aam Admi Party leading in a number of constituencies in Delhi, Anna Hazare today said Arvind Kejriwal could become chief minister one day and warned Congress that people will teach a lesson to it in the Lok Sabha elections.
Hazare, who had refused to campaign for Kejriwal's party, expressed happiness over AAP's performance in the Delhi elections where Sheila Dikshit has served as Chief Minister for 15 years.
"Definitely. Delhi is the Centre of politics of country's politics. It is not an easy task to defeat a government which is ruling there with just a broom in hand.
"The old parties have a lot of money. I feel happy that in such a situation, his party has emerged victorious and got 24 seats (leads)," Hazare told reporters when asked about AAP's performance.
At the same time, he cautioned Kejriwal against allying with any other party saying, "If an alliance government (Khichdi sarkar) is made, then it is of no use.
In such a government, corruption rules the roost. He should not take the support (of any other party). "If it is not possible to form a government, fresh elections should be held."
#Assembly-Polls-2013
Hazare, who had refused to campaign for Kejriwal's party, expressed happiness over AAP's performance in the Delhi elections where Sheila Dikshit has served as Chief Minister for 15 years.
"Definitely. Delhi is the Centre of politics of country's politics. It is not an easy task to defeat a government which is ruling there with just a broom in hand.
"The old parties have a lot of money. I feel happy that in such a situation, his party has emerged victorious and got 24 seats (leads)," Hazare told reporters when asked about AAP's performance.
At the same time, he cautioned Kejriwal against allying with any other party saying, "If an alliance government (Khichdi sarkar) is made, then it is of no use.
In such a government, corruption rules the roost. He should not take the support (of any other party). "If it is not possible to form a government, fresh elections should be held."
#Assembly-Polls-2013
14:14
Delhi results so far: AAP wins Greater Kailash. Saurabh Bhardwaj gets 42,924 votes to BJP's 29,897.
BJP wins 12, AAP 9, Cong 4, Others 1.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
BJP wins 12, AAP 9, Cong 4, Others 1.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
14:08 I have rules MP as your bhai, beta, mama: Chouhan
"In the last 10 years, I have ruled the state not as Chief Minister but as you brother, son and maternal uncle (Mama)," was the favourite punchline of Chouhan as he criss-crossed the the ravines of Chambal or the crowds of cities in Bhopal, Gwalior and Indore this assembly election.
14:03 Shivraj Singh Chouhan: Victory of party's way of thinking
Venkat Ananth tweets: "There is no Modi wave" - all Congress spokespersons. This looks like a terrible start to their introspection already.
Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who has scored a hat-trick, thanks party leaders and attributes the victory to the party and the organisation, the party workers, as well as the BJP's way of thinking.
Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who has scored a hat-trick, thanks party leaders and attributes the victory to the party and the organisation, the party workers, as well as the BJP's way of thinking.
13:56 What now for the Congress?
Tdoay's results may be a bitter pill that the Congress has to swallow -- that its future cannot be hitched to Rahul Gandhi unless he can resonate with the people, feels Saroj Nagi. Read
13:53
AAP'S Shazia Ilmi trailing by 200 votes after round 11 at RK Puram. BJP's Anil Sharma leading. AAP narrows the margin with the BJP. BJP: 32, AAP: 29
Exit polls had given the party, not more 14-15 seats.
AAP's Manish Sisodia wins in Patparganj.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
Exit polls had given the party, not more 14-15 seats.
AAP's Manish Sisodia wins in Patparganj.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
13:49 Live! Sheila Dikshit on defeat: Bewakoof hai na hum?
Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit accepting defeat issued a brief statement saying the party would analyse the reasons for defeat and thanked the people of Delhi for thanking her for 15 years.
When a reporter asked her whether she had failed to read the public mood, she quipped, "Bewakoof hai na hum?"
Kejriwal now leads with 18,000 votes against her.
When a reporter asked her whether she had failed to read the public mood, she quipped, "Bewakoof hai na hum?"
Kejriwal now leads with 18,000 votes against her.
13:44 Cong: Will analyse what went wrong
In the last Assembly polls, the Congress had won as many as 43 seats in the 70-member legislative Assembly and its fortunes have dwindled sharply this time with the party likely to get less than 10 seats.
Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi dismissed suggestions that the trends showed that there was a wave in favour of BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi in the country.
Congress leader and Union Minister Shashi Tharoor said his party has very capable and experienced political leaders who are surely going to analyse in detail and find what corrective measures are needed.
He said across the the country there were regional parties and areas where the BJP has no presence. "So we should not be too hasty in suddenly seeing a sort of tsunami in favour of party that has done well today," Tharoor said.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the next CM OF Madhya Pradesh, about to address a press conference now.
Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi dismissed suggestions that the trends showed that there was a wave in favour of BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi in the country.
Congress leader and Union Minister Shashi Tharoor said his party has very capable and experienced political leaders who are surely going to analyse in detail and find what corrective measures are needed.
He said across the the country there were regional parties and areas where the BJP has no presence. "So we should not be too hasty in suddenly seeing a sort of tsunami in favour of party that has done well today," Tharoor said.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the next CM OF Madhya Pradesh, about to address a press conference now.
13:37
In Delhi, BJP and AAP have won 5 seats, Cong: 1.
Cong's Jyotiraditya Scindia admits that the party has failed and failed miserably in MP, Rajashtan and Delhi.
Sachin Pilot says the party needs to accept the results with humility. It's a setback but it's not the end.
Rahul Gandhi, meanwhile, still missing in action.
Cong's Jyotiraditya Scindia admits that the party has failed and failed miserably in MP, Rajashtan and Delhi.
Sachin Pilot says the party needs to accept the results with humility. It's a setback but it's not the end.
Rahul Gandhi, meanwhile, still missing in action.
13:32
BJP CM candidate and Delhi's next chief minister, Harsh Vardhan, heading towards the counting centre.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
#Assembly-Polls-2013
13:16 BJP on AAP: All parties rundown political opponents
BJP's Balbir Punj strikes a conciliatory note explaining why it was so dismissive about the Aam Admi Party.
He says AAP was a new, unknown commodity. And so when the Congress said it was the B-team of the BJP, the BJP said likewise.
He said AAP's stand on national issues was unknown and still remains unknown. Since their policies were not clear, people (parties) make their own assumptions.
He says it is not very unusual for any political party to rundown competitors. Whatever we are guilty of, others are also guilty of the same thing.
Leads: BJP: 33, AAP: 28
He says AAP was a new, unknown commodity. And so when the Congress said it was the B-team of the BJP, the BJP said likewise.
He said AAP's stand on national issues was unknown and still remains unknown. Since their policies were not clear, people (parties) make their own assumptions.
He says it is not very unusual for any political party to rundown competitors. Whatever we are guilty of, others are also guilty of the same thing.
Leads: BJP: 33, AAP: 28
12:58
Sir Sri Jhunjhunwala: Many Congrats to the AAP. They faced one difficulty after another and didn't quit.They stood for something and have been rewarded.
12:57 Grudging respect for debutants AAP from BJP
The BJP admits that they would have easily got a strong majority had it not been for "the third player -- a debutant -- which changed the scene. That's the beauty of democracy."
The BJP had said that the AAP was a B-team of the Congress.
Grudging respect for the AAP, which at a lead of 27 seats in Delhi, is nothing short of a spectacular debut.
The AAP, meanwhile, is holding a meeting at its HQ in Delhi. Top leaders squatting on chatais. This sense of simplicity interwoven with integrity is what seems to have got it its phenomenal innings.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
The BJP had said that the AAP was a B-team of the Congress.
Grudging respect for the AAP, which at a lead of 27 seats in Delhi, is nothing short of a spectacular debut.
The AAP, meanwhile, is holding a meeting at its HQ in Delhi. Top leaders squatting on chatais. This sense of simplicity interwoven with integrity is what seems to have got it its phenomenal innings.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
12:54 Cong: Sheila Dikshit's loss may be due to anti-incumbency
First tweet from Vasundhara Raje Scindia: It is the victory of the People of Rajasthan. Their belief in Suraaj will soon turn the dream of a New and Developed Rajasthan into reality.
Vasundhara Raje maintains a lead of 22,399 votes in Jhalrapatan.
Jayanti Natrajan says the possible reason for Sheila Dikshit's loss is three years of anti-incumbency.
Vasundhara Raje maintains a lead of 22,399 votes in Jhalrapatan.
Jayanti Natrajan says the possible reason for Sheila Dikshit's loss is three years of anti-incumbency.
12:51 Modi congratulates Chouhan, Vasundhara
BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi today congratulated Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Rajasthan BJP president Vasundhara Raje after the counting trends showed that the saffron party is leading in the two states.
Giving his first reaction to conclusive trends of both the states, where counting is going on, Modi, who had campaigned extensively in all the four states where elections were held, congratulated the leaders of MP and Rajasthan.
He seemed to have reserved his comment on Chattisgarh and Delhi where the situation is still unclear.
"Called Shivraj ji to congratulate him for BJP's wonderful performance in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly Elections!" Modi tweeted. In an another tweet, Modi said, "spoke to Vasundhara ji & congratulated her for the historic victory of BJP in Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha elections".
Giving his first reaction to conclusive trends of both the states, where counting is going on, Modi, who had campaigned extensively in all the four states where elections were held, congratulated the leaders of MP and Rajasthan.
He seemed to have reserved his comment on Chattisgarh and Delhi where the situation is still unclear.
"Called Shivraj ji to congratulate him for BJP's wonderful performance in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly Elections!" Modi tweeted. In an another tweet, Modi said, "spoke to Vasundhara ji & congratulated her for the historic victory of BJP in Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha elections".
12:40
Sir Sri Jhunjhunwala tweets: "BREAKING : Rahul Gandhi calls emergency meeting at home to discuss voter's escape velocity from Congress Party.
Kiran Bedi tweets, CM of Delhi was on receiving end last 3+years.CWG, Ramlila Ground, Jantar Mantar, Nirbhya case, Coalgate, 2 G, Vadra+ insensitive policing.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
Kiran Bedi tweets, CM of Delhi was on receiving end last 3+years.CWG, Ramlila Ground, Jantar Mantar, Nirbhya case, Coalgate, 2 G, Vadra+ insensitive policing.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
12:36
AAP's Manish Sisodia leads by 7000 votes in Patparganj, bags 28,890 votes so far, BJP trails with 21,567. Sisodia says he expected a wider margin.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
#Assembly-Polls-2013
12:34 Yashodhara Raje leads by 12,000 votes
BJP MP, Yashodhara Raje Scindia, is leading by around 12,000 votes from the Shivpuri constituency in Madhya Pradesh.
The erswhile royal whose affidavit filed during nomination papers showed she had just Rs 15,400 cash in her hand, owns a dinner set worth over Rs 1.54 crore.
She is the aunt of Madhya Pradesh Congress Campaign Committee Chairman and Union Minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia, the son of the late Madhavrao Scindia.
The erswhile royal whose affidavit filed during nomination papers showed she had just Rs 15,400 cash in her hand, owns a dinner set worth over Rs 1.54 crore.
She is the aunt of Madhya Pradesh Congress Campaign Committee Chairman and Union Minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia, the son of the late Madhavrao Scindia.
12:28 Poor loser Gehlot blames defeat on BJP's slander campaign
Apart from Sheila Dikshit, Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot has also conceded defeat, but remained a poor loser.
Gehlot claimed that BJP has been spreading lies about the Congress in their election rallies, he tweeted. And said that despite the loss, the Congress would will continue to work for the welfare of the people in the state.
Gehlot claimed that BJP has been spreading lies about the Congress in their election rallies, he tweeted. And said that despite the loss, the Congress would will continue to work for the welfare of the people in the state.
12:24
Congress marginally ahead in Chhattisgarh after running neck and neck at 45 seats each. Leads so far: Cong: 49, BJP: 40.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
#Assembly-Polls-2013
12:23 Counting for Mizoram tomorrow
The state that people seem to have forgotten -- Mizoram. Counting of votes for the 40-member Mizoram assembly, elections to which was held on November 25, will be held tomorrow.
A total of 142 candidates, including six women, are in the fray. The ruling Congress has contested all the 40 seats as has Mizoram Democratic Alliance (MDA). MDA constituent Mizo National Front (MNF) has contested in 31, Mizoram People's Conference (MPC) in eight and Maraland Democratic Front (MDF) contested in one seat.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
A total of 142 candidates, including six women, are in the fray. The ruling Congress has contested all the 40 seats as has Mizoram Democratic Alliance (MDA). MDA constituent Mizo National Front (MNF) has contested in 31, Mizoram People's Conference (MPC) in eight and Maraland Democratic Front (MDF) contested in one seat.
#Assembly-Polls-2013
12:21 Arvind Kejriwal leads by 15,000 votes against Sheila Dikshit
Arvind Kejriwal leads by 15,000 votes against Delhi goliath, three-term chief minister Sheila Dikshit. Party celebrations in full earnest outside their office, jhadus waving madly.
The Congress has not even registered a double-digit lead:
Leads: BJP 35, AAP 26, CONG 7
#Assembly-Polls-2013
The Congress has not even registered a double-digit lead:
Leads: BJP 35, AAP 26, CONG 7
#Assembly-Polls-2013
12:14 I had full faith in my people, I knew I would win: Vasundhara Raje
With the trend of Rajasthan assembly polls predicting a landslide victory for the BJP, the party's chief ministerial candidate Vasundhara Raje Scindia, claimed that she was always confident of winning.
"I had full faith in my people," Raje said in her first reaction on spectacular results in the state (BJP 139 vs Cong 36).
It has also been reported that Raje was holding a two-hour-long special prayer at the Tripura Sundari Temple in Banswara district when she got the news that her party was ahead.
Later, wearing the party colours -- a saffron chiffon sari, she reached Jhalawar and spoke to reporters.
"I had thought that we would reach 120-125, but it is going to be more than that. During the Suraj Sankalp Yatra, the mood against the state government was quite evident."
When asked that whether she considers it a semi-final for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, she said, "Yes, I accept that it was semi-final and it will only help us in Lok Sabha elections."
However, instead of giving the full credit to BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi for their victory, she maintained that it was the joint effort of all senior members including party president Rajnath Singh.
In the Jhalarapatan seat from where Raje is contesting, she is leading with over 17,000 votes after round six.
It is expected that she will be leaving for Delhi sometime this evening to have a closed-door meeting with senior party leaders. Narendra Modi is also expected in the capital today.
-- Shahnawaz Akhtar
#Assembly-Polls-2013
"I had full faith in my people," Raje said in her first reaction on spectacular results in the state (BJP 139 vs Cong 36).
It has also been reported that Raje was holding a two-hour-long special prayer at the Tripura Sundari Temple in Banswara district when she got the news that her party was ahead.
Later, wearing the party colours -- a saffron chiffon sari, she reached Jhalawar and spoke to reporters.
"I had thought that we would reach 120-125, but it is going to be more than that. During the Suraj Sankalp Yatra, the mood against the state government was quite evident."
When asked that whether she considers it a semi-final for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, she said, "Yes, I accept that it was semi-final and it will only help us in Lok Sabha elections."
However, instead of giving the full credit to BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi for their victory, she maintained that it was the joint effort of all senior members including party president Rajnath Singh.
In the Jhalarapatan seat from where Raje is contesting, she is leading with over 17,000 votes after round six.
It is expected that she will be leaving for Delhi sometime this evening to have a closed-door meeting with senior party leaders. Narendra Modi is also expected in the capital today.
-- Shahnawaz Akhtar
#Assembly-Polls-2013
12:01 Live! With BJP's spectacular wins, Modi hotfoots it to Delhi
Narendra Modi,who Vasundhara Raje Scindia, Rajasthan's next CM, has credited to a great extent, the party's win in the state is arriving in Delhi this afternoon.
A senior BJP leader said, "He is neither elated, nor feeling low. I would say, he's stoic. He asked us to see how the results of the four states are affecting the 72 Lok Sabha seats. The BJP leaders are meeting in the evening to decide on the further action to be taken in each state and take decisions on the formation of government." -- Sheela Bhatt from New Delhi.
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A senior BJP leader said, "He is neither elated, nor feeling low. I would say, he's stoic. He asked us to see how the results of the four states are affecting the 72 Lok Sabha seats. The BJP leaders are meeting in the evening to decide on the further action to be taken in each state and take decisions on the formation of government." -- Sheela Bhatt from New Delhi.
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11:59
Sheila Dikshit resigns as Delhi chief minister.
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11:47
Outside Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan's residence the din of celebrations drowns out any attempts at sound bites from reporters on the field.
BJP: 152, Cong: 65
BJP: 152, Cong: 65
11:37
Omar Abdullah who has confessed to being glued to TV watching the outcome of the state polls, tweets: "Notes to self for #2014. Never underestimate the underdog/newcomer with a fresh face and message," he says with reference to AAP.
"Big public meetings don't always mean votes but poorly attended ones definitely indicate big trouble. Voters will see through crude attempts to buy support with last minute populist schemes," he says.
That's with reference to the poorly-attended Rahul Gandhi rally in Delhi where Sheila Dikshit had to urge the people to wait and listen to him speak.
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"Big public meetings don't always mean votes but poorly attended ones definitely indicate big trouble. Voters will see through crude attempts to buy support with last minute populist schemes," he says.
That's with reference to the poorly-attended Rahul Gandhi rally in Delhi where Sheila Dikshit had to urge the people to wait and listen to him speak.
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11:33 Cong: Party wants Rahul as PM candidate
Congress's Rajeev Shukla still has a smile on his face despite the devastating loss across three states. The party is neck and neck with the BJP in Chhattisgarh at 45:45.
Shukla says that for the 2014 polls the party wants Rahul Gandhi to be announced as the next PM candidate, but the decision rests with the party high command.
Shukla says that for the 2014 polls the party wants Rahul Gandhi to be announced as the next PM candidate, but the decision rests with the party high command.
11:30 More gloom in the Sheila camp
BJP's Chief Ministerial candidate Harsh Vardhan leading by over 14,000 votes against Congress' V K Monga in Krishna Nagar constituency.
These figures will add to the gloom at Sheila Dikshit's residence, which she will have to vacate, very shortly for Dr Harsh Vardhan.
So far, Kejriwal has 8130, as against Sheila's 3710 in the New Delhi constituency.
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These figures will add to the gloom at Sheila Dikshit's residence, which she will have to vacate, very shortly for Dr Harsh Vardhan.
So far, Kejriwal has 8130, as against Sheila's 3710 in the New Delhi constituency.
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11:26 Delhi: AAP: 25, bjp: 35
In Delhi, the AAP has more or less stayed the course with leads in 25 seats. The BJP has 35, the Cong has 7.
J-K CM Omar Abdullah said on Twitter, "I'm glued to my TV waiting to watch the trends & results start coming in. Call it morbid curiosity.
He added, "Which was the post poll survey that gave #AAP 6 seats? You need to sack your pollsters, they clearly stayed at home to fill questionnaires."
Kiran Bedi: Another gift of last 3 years of collective effort. In one Rajasthan seat, NOTA leading. That's a good debut!
Meanwhile, the Congress leading in Jungpura, AAP 1300 votes behind in New Delhi. Kejriwal, ahead by 5000 votes.
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J-K CM Omar Abdullah said on Twitter, "I'm glued to my TV waiting to watch the trends & results start coming in. Call it morbid curiosity.
He added, "Which was the post poll survey that gave #AAP 6 seats? You need to sack your pollsters, they clearly stayed at home to fill questionnaires."
Kiran Bedi: Another gift of last 3 years of collective effort. In one Rajasthan seat, NOTA leading. That's a good debut!
Meanwhile, the Congress leading in Jungpura, AAP 1300 votes behind in New Delhi. Kejriwal, ahead by 5000 votes.
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11:14 Live! In Karwal Nagar (north-east Delhi) NOTA leads
Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit is trailing behind Arvind Kejriwal (AAP) by over 4,000 votes in New Delhi constituency.
In Karwal Nagar, in north-east Delhi, NOTA (None of the Above) leads.
The apex court had given the path-breaking verdict this September, holding voters have a right to reject all candidates contesting polls in a constituency by pressing NOTA.
Following the court order, the Election Commission had introduced the option in assembly polls for Mizoram, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and now Delhi.
Scores of voters across the city said they exercised the NOTA option to "alter" the nature of political contest.
In Karwal Nagar, in north-east Delhi, NOTA (None of the Above) leads.
The apex court had given the path-breaking verdict this September, holding voters have a right to reject all candidates contesting polls in a constituency by pressing NOTA.
Following the court order, the Election Commission had introduced the option in assembly polls for Mizoram, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and now Delhi.
Scores of voters across the city said they exercised the NOTA option to "alter" the nature of political contest.
11:08 Shazia Ilmi leading in Delhi
AAP spokesperson Shazia Ilmi is now leading in RK Puram with a slender margin of 250 votes.
Leads so far in Delhi: 34, AAP: 25, Cong: 8, Others: 3.
If Delhi delivers a hung assembly (BJP-30, AAP-25, Cong-14), there may be another election with the general elections in May. The AAP has maintained right from the beginning that it will not align with any party. Unless, of course, Arvind Kejriwal changes his mind and takes support of the Cong to form the government in Delhi.
Leads so far in Delhi: 34, AAP: 25, Cong: 8, Others: 3.
If Delhi delivers a hung assembly (BJP-30, AAP-25, Cong-14), there may be another election with the general elections in May. The AAP has maintained right from the beginning that it will not align with any party. Unless, of course, Arvind Kejriwal changes his mind and takes support of the Cong to form the government in Delhi.
11:01 Rajasthan CM concedes defeat
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is leading over his Congress rivals from both Budhni and Vidisha seats.
While Chouhan, seeking a record third straight term for BJP, is leading by 12,777 votes over his Congress rival Mahendra Singh Chouhan in Budhni, he is ahead by 2312 votes in Vidisha where Congress' Shashank Bhargava is trailing.
Chouhan is a sitting MLA from Budhni. He had represented Vidisha five times in the Lok Sabha. The seat is now held by Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says he refuses to accept that this is a semi-final to the 2014 polls.
And Rajasthan's CM Ashok Gehlot concedes defeat. He says the campaign was all about development in Rajasthan but the slander campaign by the BJP seem to have worked.
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While Chouhan, seeking a record third straight term for BJP, is leading by 12,777 votes over his Congress rival Mahendra Singh Chouhan in Budhni, he is ahead by 2312 votes in Vidisha where Congress' Shashank Bhargava is trailing.
Chouhan is a sitting MLA from Budhni. He had represented Vidisha five times in the Lok Sabha. The seat is now held by Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says he refuses to accept that this is a semi-final to the 2014 polls.
And Rajasthan's CM Ashok Gehlot concedes defeat. He says the campaign was all about development in Rajasthan but the slander campaign by the BJP seem to have worked.
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10:55 Live! Rajasthan's next CM Vasundhara Raje: Modi is a factor for win
Rajasthan's next chief minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia says the people of Rajasthan were tired of non-governance of the Congress. She says Modi is a factor. People have seen what Modi has done in Gujarat and that the model can be followed everywhere.
Leads: BJP: 124, Cong: 21, Others: 19
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Leads: BJP: 124, Cong: 21, Others: 19
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10:51
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan leading over Congress rival Shashank Bhargava by 1168 votes in Vidisha.
Congress's Shashi Tharoor, gracious enough to admit that the verdict in Delhi shows that people were dissatisfied with the party.
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Congress's Shashi Tharoor, gracious enough to admit that the verdict in Delhi shows that people were dissatisfied with the party.
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10:47
Mihir Sharma ?@mihirssharma 8m Arnab Goswami is right: the Congress decided to run away from the UPA's record this year, instead of defending it. And this is what happens.
10:47
Jhaadu ka Jaadu Chal Gaya, says one AAP supporter, outside the New Delhi office.
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10:44
The only way the Congress can reverse the trend before 2014 is for Sonia Gandhi to lead the Congress charge from the front, her final electoral battle as it were, taking Modi head-on, with son as understudy, Rediff.com's political pundit Saisuresh Sivaswamy.
10:39
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan leading over Congress rival Shashank Bhargava by 1168 votes in Vidisha.
10:36 Jhadus waved in celebration at AAP office
The jhadu, the symbol of the Aam Admi Party is being waved vigorously outside the party office in Delhi.
Kiran Bedi, who had been offered a ticket by AAP as their chief ministerial candidate, had said she was unwilling to join the party, but remained a well wisher.
Bedi tweets: AAP was born when Congress refused to set up an SIT on Coalgate in July 2011!Had it done so!Aap may not have been there today to beat them!
Kiran Bedi, who had been offered a ticket by AAP as their chief ministerial candidate, had said she was unwilling to join the party, but remained a well wisher.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)
offered a ticket to Kiran Bedi and even offered to make the former IPS
officer their chief ministerial candidate, she has expressed her
unwillingness to join the party.
Read more at: http://www.firstpost.com/politics/am-non-political-dont-want-to-be-aaps-cm-candidate-kiran-bedi-1066697.html?utm_source=ref_article
Read more at: http://www.firstpost.com/politics/am-non-political-dont-want-to-be-aaps-cm-candidate-kiran-bedi-1066697.html?utm_source=ref_article
Bedi tweets: AAP was born when Congress refused to set up an SIT on Coalgate in July 2011!Had it done so!Aap may not have been there today to beat them!
10:30 The mirage that is the Aam Admi Party
While on AAP also read this column on Rediff.com: AAP has been vociferous since its inception and has mainly raised issues pertaining to corruption. A political party must have crisp and specific standon all issues which concern the nation not just corruption or secularism; and AAP has failed to deliver on all these counts, says Aditya Shah and Aadit Kapadia. Read
10:29 Cong, BJP sing a different tune: Welcome fresh voice like AAP
The injection of a fresh ideas and fresh voice in Indian politics is always welcome, Shashi Tharoor says of the AAP.
It's a sentiment that is being echoed by Nirmala Sitharaman, who categorically says the BJP officially has not approached AAP leaders.
Delhi: BJP: 30, AAP: 25, Cong: 14 Margin has narrowed.
Sheila Dikshit had earlier dismissed the AAP saying "is that even a party!"
Also read: Aam Aadmi Party: The Incorruptibles?
It's a sentiment that is being echoed by Nirmala Sitharaman, who categorically says the BJP officially has not approached AAP leaders.
Delhi: BJP: 30, AAP: 25, Cong: 14 Margin has narrowed.
Sheila Dikshit had earlier dismissed the AAP saying "is that even a party!"
Also read: Aam Aadmi Party: The Incorruptibles?
10:20
Mihir Sharma: Suggested line for Congress spokespersons: We cannot comment today. Must wait for Mizoram results. We are a national party
10:19
Pritish Nandy tweets: Congress needs a leader like Deve Gowda now... since it has been reduced to a third front.
10:17 Rajasthan: BJP: 133, Cong: 25
BJP state president Vasundhara Raje was leading from her home constituency of Jhalarapatan in Jhalawar district by a margin of 3,923 votes against her nearest rival of Congress Meenakshi Chandrawat.
National People's Party Convenor and Lok Sabha Kirori Lal Meena is leading by a margin of 1,675 in Lalsot constituency against Congress and BJP candidates.
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot was leading in his Sardarpura constituency of Jodhpur district by a margin of 4,619 votes against his BJP rival Shambhu Singh Khetasar.
Congress' Zahida Khan was leading by a margin of 5,342 votes over her nearest rival of BJP Kunwar Jagat Singh, son of Natwar Singh, from Kaman constituency of Bharatpur district.
Congress' ministers Mahendra Jeet Singh, Hemaram Choudhary, and Brij Kishore Sharma were leading in Bagidora, Gudhamalani, and Hawamahal Constituencies respectively against their BJP rivals.
National People's Party Convenor and Lok Sabha Kirori Lal Meena is leading by a margin of 1,675 in Lalsot constituency against Congress and BJP candidates.
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot was leading in his Sardarpura constituency of Jodhpur district by a margin of 4,619 votes against his BJP rival Shambhu Singh Khetasar.
Congress' Zahida Khan was leading by a margin of 5,342 votes over her nearest rival of BJP Kunwar Jagat Singh, son of Natwar Singh, from Kaman constituency of Bharatpur district.
Congress' ministers Mahendra Jeet Singh, Hemaram Choudhary, and Brij Kishore Sharma were leading in Bagidora, Gudhamalani, and Hawamahal Constituencies respectively against their BJP rivals.
10:13
A peeved Abhishek Manu Singhvi tells CNN IBN's Rajdeep Sardesai, "You don't have to rub it in. We have performed badly in Rajasthan. But there is no Modi wave, possibly it's a Modi failure."
BJP 132: Cong 25.
BJP 132: Cong 25.
10:09 Sheila Dikshit trails Arvind Kejriwal!
Unbelievable, but true: Three-term Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit trails, with Arvind Kejriwal in the lead from the New Delhi constituency.
Leads in Delhi: BJP: 34, AAP: 24
A havan is being organised outside Sheila Dikshit's residence as the dismal figures of the Congress come in. All the prayers don't seem to be working at the moment.
Leads in Delhi: BJP: 34, AAP: 24
A havan is being organised outside Sheila Dikshit's residence as the dismal figures of the Congress come in. All the prayers don't seem to be working at the moment.
10:09 Shivraj Singh Chouhan set for a third term
And prayers that seem to have been orgainsed at Shivraj Singh Chouhan's residence. The Madhya Pradhesh CM's wife has been sitting at a havan inside his official residence. With the BJP for a landslide win in MP (107 of the 168 leads), Chouhan is set for a third term in office.
10:08 Live! David vs Goliath: Kejriwal leads by over 1500 votes vs Sheila
Arvind Kejriwal leading by over 1,500 votes in New Delhi constituency from where Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit is contesting.
BJP set to form government in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Harsh Vardhan says AAP seems to have cut into Congress votes in Delhi.
BJP set to form government in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Harsh Vardhan says AAP seems to have cut into Congress votes in Delhi.
09:55 Live! Chhattisgarh: Slain Salwa Judum leader's wife leads, BJP trails
Only saving grace for the Congress seems to be Chhattisgarh. Leads so far:
Cong: 37
BJP: 32
The wife of Salwa Judum founder and Congress leader Mahendra Karma, who was killed in the Naxalite attack in Bastar, was leading in Dantewada constituency. Both the parties are contesting all 90 seats.
Cong: 37
BJP: 32
The wife of Salwa Judum founder and Congress leader Mahendra Karma, who was killed in the Naxalite attack in Bastar, was leading in Dantewada constituency. Both the parties are contesting all 90 seats.
09:48 MP: BJP set to retain power
The ruling BJP is leading in 90 of the 140 as against Congress in 37 in the 230-member Madhya Pradesh Assembly, counting for which in currently underway.
The BSP is ahead in one seat and others on three, in the counting of postal ballots for the 136 out of the total 230 Assembly constituencies in the state. The counting of votes for the Assembly elections began simultaneously at 51 district headquarters in the state amid tight security.
BJP+ 90
Cong+ 37
Ind and others: 3
The BSP is ahead in one seat and others on three, in the counting of postal ballots for the 136 out of the total 230 Assembly constituencies in the state. The counting of votes for the Assembly elections began simultaneously at 51 district headquarters in the state amid tight security.
BJP+ 90
Cong+ 37
Ind and others: 3
09:44
Congress spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi says that although the BJP is leading in all four states, it is not indicative of a Narendra Modi wave in the country.
09:43
In 2003, this is what Rediff said:
For the BJP, the win is truly historic for three reasons: first, it has more than trebled its strength in the 200 member assembly (it had just 33 members in the outgoing assembly); secondly, it is the first time it has got a majority in the state; and thirdly, it will now give the state its first woman chief minister, Vasundhara Raje Scindia.
For the BJP, the win is truly historic for three reasons: first, it has more than trebled its strength in the 200 member assembly (it had just 33 members in the outgoing assembly); secondly, it is the first time it has got a majority in the state; and thirdly, it will now give the state its first woman chief minister, Vasundhara Raje Scindia.
09:40 Early leads for BJP in Delhi
BJP's state unit chief Vijay Goel on Friday had said AAP may come second in the political race.
"There is no doubt about the presence of AAP and they have made this contest triangular. But whose chances have been dented by them, only time will tell," he said.
On Saturday, Delhi minister Dr A K Walia also agreed to Delhi's being a triangular contest, though he claimed that the Congress will win the verdict on Sunday.
"There is no doubt about the presence of AAP and they have made this contest triangular. But whose chances have been dented by them, only time will tell," he said.
On Saturday, Delhi minister Dr A K Walia also agreed to Delhi's being a triangular contest, though he claimed that the Congress will win the verdict on Sunday.
09:38
Celebrations outside the AAP office in Delhi.
Leads: 61/70
BJP: 27
AAP: 20
Cong: 12
Others: 3
Leads: 61/70
BJP: 27
AAP: 20
Cong: 12
Others: 3
09:36
Shiv Aroor: The 'we respect the people's verdict' soundbites have begun from Congress HQ.
09:28 BJP leads in 80 seats in Rajasthan
Some of the constituencies in which BJP candidates are leading are Aspur, Bhilwara, Mandal, Pindwara-Abu, and Udaipur district against their nearest rivals of Congress.
BJP candidate Narpat Singh Rajvi is leading by 663 votes from Vidhyadhar Nagar constituency of Jaipur district against his nearest rival of Congress Vikram Singh Shekhawat. Gulab Chand Kataria of BJP is leading by 1091 votes from Udaipur against his nearest rival of Congress.
Congress candidate Mewaram Jain is leading by a margin of 1025 votes against his BJP rival in Barmer constituency.
Independent Ritu Banawat is leading by 346 votes from Bayana seat against her rivals of BJP and Congress.
Rajasthan witnesses a keen fight between Congress led by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and BJP's Vasundhara Raje with both the parties facing each other in all the 200 constituencies. As many as 2,087 candidates are in the fray in the desert state.
BJP candidate Narpat Singh Rajvi is leading by 663 votes from Vidhyadhar Nagar constituency of Jaipur district against his nearest rival of Congress Vikram Singh Shekhawat. Gulab Chand Kataria of BJP is leading by 1091 votes from Udaipur against his nearest rival of Congress.
Congress candidate Mewaram Jain is leading by a margin of 1025 votes against his BJP rival in Barmer constituency.
Independent Ritu Banawat is leading by 346 votes from Bayana seat against her rivals of BJP and Congress.
Rajasthan witnesses a keen fight between Congress led by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and BJP's Vasundhara Raje with both the parties facing each other in all the 200 constituencies. As many as 2,087 candidates are in the fray in the desert state.
09:26
Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit's residence wears a deserted look.
09:25 Manish Sisodia leads, Arvind Kejriwal and Shazia Ilmi trails
In Delhi, only Manish Sisodia is leading. Manish Sisodia - the main strategist of the party - said that their
party candidates might have been approached by BJP members with a
"mandate", which they have declined.
Arvind Kejriwal and Shazia Ilmi are trailing.
Arvind Kejriwal and Shazia Ilmi are trailing.
09:22
BJP candidate Samaran Grasiya leading in Pindwara-Abu Constituency of Rajasthan's Sirohi district against his nearest rival of Congress.
09:20 Leads in Rajasthan
Opposition BJP is leading in 64 seats while ruling Congress was ahead in 18 constituencies in Rajasthan as per early trends of counting in the Assembly elections.
Some of the constituencies in which BJP candidates are leading are Aspur, Bhilwara, Mandal, Pindwara-Abu, and Udaipur district against their nearest rivals of Congress.
Rajasthan witnesses a keen fight between Congress led by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and BJP's Vasundhara Raje with both the parties facing each other in all the 200 constituencies. As many as 2,087 candidates are in the fray in the desert state.
Some of the constituencies in which BJP candidates are leading are Aspur, Bhilwara, Mandal, Pindwara-Abu, and Udaipur district against their nearest rivals of Congress.
Rajasthan witnesses a keen fight between Congress led by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and BJP's Vasundhara Raje with both the parties facing each other in all the 200 constituencies. As many as 2,087 candidates are in the fray in the desert state.
09:18 Delhi leads so far
Delhi: Opposition BJP is leading in 20 seats while Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Admi Party was ahead in 17 seats in Delhi Assembly polls. As per early trends, ruling Congress and BSP were ahead in 8 and 3 seats each.
Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit is leading in her New Delhi constituency where she is facing Kejriwal and BJP's Vijender Gupta. Health Minister A K Walia is also leading in Laxmi Nagar constituency.
Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit is leading in her New Delhi constituency where she is facing Kejriwal and BJP's Vijender Gupta. Health Minister A K Walia is also leading in Laxmi Nagar constituency.
09:15 Live! Crow for Sheila's supper? AAP leads Cong in Delhi
BJP's Harsh Vardhan, who is more than likely to be Delhi's next chief minister, says there is no sympathy for the Sheila Dikshit government. "Her government has failed miserably and has failed to deliver. There are corruption issues, the CWG scam, so it's not an anti-incumbency factor. She has to be blamed for what her defeat."
Delhi: 32/70
BJP: 14,
AAP: 10 (Phenomenal debut for a first-time party. Sheila Dikshit will have to eat several hats today. She had said of the AAP: Is that even a party!"
Cong: 5
Others: 3
Delhi: 32/70
BJP: 14,
AAP: 10 (Phenomenal debut for a first-time party. Sheila Dikshit will have to eat several hats today. She had said of the AAP: Is that even a party!"
Cong: 5
Others: 3
09:07
Rahul Gandhi may have to roll up his kurta sleeves in real earnest and get to work if the Congress is routed in the four states today. Today's results may be a bitter pill that the Congress has to swallow -- that its future cannot be hitched to Rahul Gandhi unless he can resonate with the people, feels Saroj Nagi. Read
09:05 State polls: Advantage BJP, but it is not a Modi wave
While we wait for the first results to come in, the leads so far, in all four states indicate that the BJP is set to win in the four states. Read Seema Mustafa's column on Rediff, where she says that while Narendra Modi may be the talisman of his party, it is still not certain if he can claim this space among the people of India. Read
09:01 Live! Lotus in full bloom: BJP leads in ALL four states
Harsh Vardhan says he expects the party to get not less than 40 seats. So far the leads for the 23/70 seats in Delhi are: BJP:9, Cong and AAP neck-and-neck with 4 each, others: 5.
BSP, the third largest party in the last assembly election, fielded candidates in 69 seats, NCP in nine and Samajwadi Party in 27 seats. A total of 224 independents were also in the fray.
BSP, the third largest party in the last assembly election, fielded candidates in 69 seats, NCP in nine and Samajwadi Party in 27 seats. A total of 224 independents were also in the fray.
08:57 Celebrations at AAP office
Huge cheer goes up at the AAP office as AAP gets the first leads in the Delhi counting as per NDTV. AAP is leading in the Narela
08:54
Sympathy vote for the Congress in Dantewada, apparently. The Congress is leading.
08:51 Sheila Dikshit watches TV after many moons
In Delhi, Sheila Dikshi is apparantly watching TV after a week, according to a staffer at her residence. The CM had told the Indian Express that she had been staying away from the TV "noise".
Arvind Kejriwal is taking on the Delhi chief minister from the New Delhi constituency. If Dikshit wins, this will be her fourth term as CM.
Arvind Kejriwal is taking on the Delhi chief minister from the New Delhi constituency. If Dikshit wins, this will be her fourth term as CM.
08:46 Live! AAP leads in Delhi, BJP leads in MP, Raj, Chhattisgarh
First reactions from BJP's chief ministerial candidate for Delhi. Even before the first trends come in, Harsh Vardhan says, it looks like he will win. That confidence may not be unfounded.
Most exit polls projected BJP to emerge as the single largest party in the 70-member Delhi assembly. India Today-ORG survey said BJP will win 41 seats and gave Congress 20 seats and AAP just six.
Times Now-C Voter Survey gave BJP 29 seats, Congress 21 and AAP 16. ABP-Nielsen projected BJP as getting 37 seats, Congress 16 seats and AAP 15.
'Today's Chanakya' gave 29 seats to BJP with a plus minus margin of 9 seats, 10 seats to Congress with a plus minus margin of 5 seats and a whopping 31 seats to AAP with a plus minus margin of 9 seats.
Most exit polls projected BJP to emerge as the single largest party in the 70-member Delhi assembly. India Today-ORG survey said BJP will win 41 seats and gave Congress 20 seats and AAP just six.
Times Now-C Voter Survey gave BJP 29 seats, Congress 21 and AAP 16. ABP-Nielsen projected BJP as getting 37 seats, Congress 16 seats and AAP 15.
'Today's Chanakya' gave 29 seats to BJP with a plus minus margin of 9 seats, 10 seats to Congress with a plus minus margin of 5 seats and a whopping 31 seats to AAP with a plus minus margin of 9 seats.
08:40 Confident of win, says Kejriwal
Aam Admi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal has said he was "confident of the results" after he cast his vote in New Delhi assembly constituency.
"I am very confident of the results. It will not be my victory but that of the people," said Kejriwal.
AAP leader Manish Sisodia too cast his vote in Patparganj.
The fate of 810 candidates contesting for the 70-member Delhi assembly will be decided today. Over 11.9 million voters are eligible to exercise their franchise.
"I am very confident of the results. It will not be my victory but that of the people," said Kejriwal.
AAP leader Manish Sisodia too cast his vote in Patparganj.
The fate of 810 candidates contesting for the 70-member Delhi assembly will be decided today. Over 11.9 million voters are eligible to exercise their franchise.
08:37 Live! Will the broom sweep the Cong away from Delhi?
Delhi Assembly election result is being seen as an indicator of the mood of the urban electorate ahead of the general election.
The Election Commission has made elaborate security arrangements for the counting with 20 companies of Central Paramilitary Force and Delhi police keeping a tight vigil at 14 counting centres across the city.
While BJP fielded candidates in 66 constituencies, Congress and AAP contested in all the 70 seats. BSP, the third largest party in the last assembly election, fielded candidates in 69 seats, NCP in nine and Samajwadi Party in 27 seats. A total of 224 independents were also in the fray.
Leads so far: In Rajasthan: Congress: 2, BJP: 2
In Chhattisgarh: BJP: 4, Cong: 3
In Madhya Pradesh: Cong: 8, BJP: 7
In Delhi: AAP: 1
The Election Commission has made elaborate security arrangements for the counting with 20 companies of Central Paramilitary Force and Delhi police keeping a tight vigil at 14 counting centres across the city.
While BJP fielded candidates in 66 constituencies, Congress and AAP contested in all the 70 seats. BSP, the third largest party in the last assembly election, fielded candidates in 69 seats, NCP in nine and Samajwadi Party in 27 seats. A total of 224 independents were also in the fray.
Leads so far: In Rajasthan: Congress: 2, BJP: 2
In Chhattisgarh: BJP: 4, Cong: 3
In Madhya Pradesh: Cong: 8, BJP: 7
In Delhi: AAP: 1
08:25 In Delhi, it's Sheila vs Harsh Vardhan vs Kejriwal
Counting of votes for the closely watched Delhi Assembly election, considered significant ahead of Lok Sabha polls next year, began this morning amid tight security.
The electoral fate of three-time Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, her challengers from BJP Harsh Vardhan and Aam Admi Party Arvind Kejriwal and over 800 other candidates will be known today.
The polling had taken place on December 4. Delhi Assembly election result is being seen as an indicator of the mood of the urban electorate ahead of the general election.
The electoral fate of three-time Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, her challengers from BJP Harsh Vardhan and Aam Admi Party Arvind Kejriwal and over 800 other candidates will be known today.
The polling had taken place on December 4. Delhi Assembly election result is being seen as an indicator of the mood of the urban electorate ahead of the general election.
08:22 What the exit poll figures say
Exit polls on television channels on Monday predicted a clear win for the BJP in Madhya Pradesh and Delhi, while the polls suggest a tie between Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress with around 18 seats each and a vote share of 28 per cent in Delhi. Read more
08:19 Chhattisgarh: Exit polls indicate Raman Singh may scrape through
Naxal-affected Chhattisgarh had recorded the highest-ever polling of around 75 per cent as elections were held on Tuesday in 72 constituencies in the second phase, which went off peacefully barring an incident in which one person was killed and two others injured, in firing by Central Reserve Police Force personnel following a scuffle.
While the second phase of polling recorded 74.7 per cent polling, the first phase of elections in the Naxal-affected areas of Bastar in the state, in which 18 constituencies went to polls on November 11, witnessed 75.53 per cent. The state recorded a voter turnout of 71.09 per cent in the 2008 assembly elections.
Exit poll figures indicate the BJP may scrape through by a whisker.
While the second phase of polling recorded 74.7 per cent polling, the first phase of elections in the Naxal-affected areas of Bastar in the state, in which 18 constituencies went to polls on November 11, witnessed 75.53 per cent. The state recorded a voter turnout of 71.09 per cent in the 2008 assembly elections.
Exit poll figures indicate the BJP may scrape through by a whisker.
08:15 Will Cong get only 55 seats in Rajasthan?
Rajasthan, which went to polls on 1 December for 199 Assembly constituencies, has seemingly voted against the Gehlot's sop politics.
Exit polls have supported the BJP's confidence that it will evict the Congress' Ashok Gehlot government in the state. The halfway mark is at 100. The Congress is seen as getting only 55.
So far, the Congress leads in one seat in Madhya Pradesh.
Exit polls have supported the BJP's confidence that it will evict the Congress' Ashok Gehlot government in the state. The halfway mark is at 100. The Congress is seen as getting only 55.
So far, the Congress leads in one seat in Madhya Pradesh.
08:10 In Rajasthan, Vasundhara Raje set to make a comeback?
In Rajasthan, at least according to the exit polls, voters have bid farewell to Ashok Gehlot. BJP's Vasundhara Raje Scindia is set to make a resounding comeback.
There are 37 centres across the state for the counting of votes in 33 districts.
Of 4.08 crore electors, 75.20 per cent exercised their franchise to elect 199 MLAs out of 2,087 contestants.
There are 37 centres across the state for the counting of votes in 33 districts.
Of 4.08 crore electors, 75.20 per cent exercised their franchise to elect 199 MLAs out of 2,087 contestants.
08:07 Kejriwal claims AAP leaders have received calls from BJP
Arvind Kejriwal claims many AAP leaders have received calls from the BJP. But Kejriwal has maintained the party will neither support BJP nor Congress. In Delhi, the exit polls suggest the Congress may be third.
Counting is set to begin shortly for the four state elections -- Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Delhi.
The counting of seats for Mizoram will be held tomorrow.
Counting is set to begin shortly for the four state elections -- Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Delhi.
The counting of seats for Mizoram will be held tomorrow.
08:00 Live! Counting of seats for four states to begin shortly
Good morning and welcome to the Live! updates on the four of the five-state elections.
Parties prepared their lines ahead of the counting of seats ahead of poll results to four important states that can set the tempo for the 2014 Lok Sabha election that is barely four-five months away.
For those disenchanted with political parties, there is the Aam Aadmi Party, which according to exit polls, is set to make a record debut in Delhi.
Read as the semifinal before next year's Lok Sabha polls, a strong BJP showing in the assembly polls to Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi and Chhattisgarh will boost Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi's candidature for prime ministership.
Parties prepared their lines ahead of the counting of seats ahead of poll results to four important states that can set the tempo for the 2014 Lok Sabha election that is barely four-five months away.
For those disenchanted with political parties, there is the Aam Aadmi Party, which according to exit polls, is set to make a record debut in Delhi.
Read as the semifinal before next year's Lok Sabha polls, a strong BJP showing in the assembly polls to Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi and Chhattisgarh will boost Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi's candidature for prime ministership.
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