Telangana Election Results: Telangana proved to be a non-Congress, non-BJP state: Chandrasekhar Rao

Assembly Election Results 2018 LIVE UPDATES: The Congress took significant leads in BJP-ruled Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh and was locked in a close fight in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh. The central state is headed for a thriller as several rounds of counting saw a see-saw battle between the two parties. The Congress is leading in 115 seats and BJP in 105 seats, as per the latest trends. BJP leaders say the trends will depict a different picture in MP later in the day and will be in favour of their party. Congress too is claiming to be in contact with anti-BJP parties in MP. In Telangana, Chandrasekhar Rao's Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) appeared set to retain power in Telangana with him returning again as the CM. TRS was seen leading in over 85 seats in the southern state. The Congress is likely to wrest power from BJP after a five-year gap in Rajasthan. The Congress is leading in 98 seats while the ruling BJP is ahead in 70 seats. Congress has a lead on 58 seats in the 90-member Chhattisgarh Assembly. The BJP is leading in 17 seats. The Mizo National Front returned to power in Mizoram after 10 years, capturing 21 seats in the 40-member Assembly and inflicting a humiliating defeat on the Congress.

बैकग्राउंड

The trends will start pouring in from 8 a.m and a clear picture is expected to emerge in all the states by 11 a.m. The results will test the popularity of incumbent governments in Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telangana as also the potency of challenge of the opposition. The BJP is in power in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the Congress in Mizoram and the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) in Telangana. The link will start functioning from 8 am and will show updates continuously. Exit polls conducted so far have predicted the Congress party's return in Rajasthan and a clean sweep for the TRS in Telangana. The exit polls have also given the Congress an edge over the BJP in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh in fiercely-contested battles. The surveys predicted that Mizoram, the only Northeast state now with the Congress, may see a hung Assembly with the Mizo National Front (MNF) holding the edge. The outcome will be a test for electoral strategy of Congress President Rahul Gandhi who assumed office in December last year. It will also have a bearing on efforts to forge opposition unity for the 2019 elections and if the Congress will emerge as the natural leader of the proposed front. The grueling polls for the 680 assembly seats saw persevering leaders toiling hard for their respective parties and their electoral fortunes will be decided today. The elections are of immense significance as they will test PM Narendra Modi’s popularity ahead of the prestigious Lok Sabha polls. The BJP had won 62 out of the 65 Lok Sabha seats in Rajasthan, MP and Chhattisgarh in 2014. The confidence of the opposition will go up and alliances will be easier to form if it becomes apparent that the BJP is losing ground in the Hindi heartland. In all the states the postal ballots will be taken up first at 8 am followed by electronic voting machines at 8:30am. You can catch all the LIVE Updates below and can also watch LIVE Coverage on our website www.abplive.in

11/12/2018 23:15:27

Congress party seeks an appointment late tonight with the Governor to stake their claims to form the govt in Madhya… https://t.co/urJp9mDEul

11/12/2018 20:15:35

I learnt a lot from 2014 election defeat. It was the best thing to have happened to me. It taught many things, including humility. Modiji taught me what not to do in politics: Rahul Gandhi

11/12/2018 20:14:53

We are going to provide these states a vision. We are going to provide these states a govt that they can be proud of. BJP has failed to provide a vision for the country going forward: Rahul Gandhi.

11/12/2018 19:03:16

Congress president Rahul Gandhi will take the final call Wednesday on who will be the chief minister in Rajasthan after taking in account the opinion of the newly elected MLAs. Congress legislature party will meet on Wednesday.

11/12/2018 19:01:19

An exciting see-saw battle is on in #MadhyaPradesh, with trends from counting centres at times putting the Congress… https://t.co/mHBWDsOsdo

11/12/2018 19:00:54

Buoyed by the massive victory of Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) in the Telangana Assembly elections, party President K. Chandrashekhar Rao said he would play a crucial role in national politics. He said that he would work to evolve an alternative to both Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress with a new economic model.

11/12/2018 17:30:35

Asaduddin Owaisi: After seeing K Chandrasekhar Rao from very close quarters I feel that this nation deserves a leader like him&I hope that next step he'll take will be successful&I'll stand shoulder to shoulder with him ensuring that in '19 election there's a non-Congress & non-BJP govt.

11/12/2018 17:29:51

Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal CM in Delhi: This is the semi-final of the final match as 2019 elections will be held in next 2-3 months. For 2019 final match game is clear, now we are just waiting for the elections.The countdown for 2019 has begun.This is the beginning of the end.

11/12/2018 17:29:37

Asaduddin Owaisi, AIMIM: I say this with all responsibility that K Chandrasekhar Rao has all capabilities & capacities to ensure that a non-Congress govt comes into existence when the next parliament election takes place & this country requires a non-Congress & a non-BJP govt.

11/12/2018 15:14:41

TRS president and Telangana caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao wins Gajwel assembly constituency by a margin of over 51,000 votes.

11/12/2018 15:12:25

Sanjay Kakade, BJP Rajya Sabha MP: I knew we would lose in Rajasthan & Chhattisgarh but MP trends have come as a surprise. I think we forgot the issue of development that Modi took up in 2014. Ram Mandir, statues & name changing became the focus. (ANI)

11/12/2018 15:03:22

Telangana caretaker minister and TRS candidate Talasani Srinivas Yadav wins from Sanath Nagar constituency by 30,217 votes.

11/12/2018 13:43:07

Ramgopal Yadav, SP: BJP's wrong policies have destroyed the country and this is a result of that. Any talk of an alliance will be done once the whole picture is clear (ANI)

11/12/2018 13:42:54

BSP chief Mayawati firm on not giving support to BJP in Rajasthan, MP and Chhattisgarh: Sources

11/12/2018 13:11:01

The environment that is being created in the country is anti-BJP. BJP got over 160 seats in 2013 but has 100 less today. Congress from 21 has gone beyond the half-way mark. We want to form people's government and not Congress government: Sachin Pilot, Congress.

11/12/2018 12:59:17

Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena: I won't say these are victories of Congress but this is an anger of the people. Self-reflection is needed

11/12/2018 12:23:41

Chhattisgarh - The Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) of former chief minister Ajit Jogi was ahead in five seats and its ally Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was leading in one seat. The Gondwana Gandtantra Party (GGP) was leading in one seat. Five ministers in the BJP government Brijmohan Agrawal (Raipur City South), Kedar Kashyap (Narayanpur constituency), Mahesh Gagda (Bijapur), Dayaldas Baghel (Nawagarh) and Amar Agrawal (Bilaspur) - were trailing.

11/12/2018 12:15:13

#ABPResults - We will definitely form the government in #Rajasthan. We have received the mandate. Will invite independents as well: Ashok Gehlot, #Congress https://t.co/DklVA2CsOX pic.twitter.com/Ai6ew5nvIz— ABP News (@abpnewstv) December 11, 2018

11/12/2018 11:55:05

Official ECI trends: Congress leading on 99 seats, BJP leading on 79 seats, BSP on 2, CPM on 2 and others on 16 seats in Rajasthan.

11/12/2018 11:53:35

BJP begins attempts to form government in Madhya Pradesh, says in touch with 10 probable winners of other parties: Sources

11/12/2018 11:51:46

Official ECI trends: Congress leading on 53 seats, BJP leading on 16 seats, Janata Congress on 4 seats, & others on 2 seats in Chhattisgarh.

11/12/2018 11:51:30

Official ECI trends: Mizo National Front leading on 21 seats, Congress leading on 4 seats, BJP leading on 1 seat, and Independents on 7 seats in Mizoram.

11/12/2018 11:37:42

#ABPResults: Madhya Pradesh (230 seats) now swings in favour of BJP. The saffron party is at 111, Congress 109. Others 10. https://t.co/DklVA2CsOX pic.twitter.com/z32fcgmmcs— ABP News (@abpnewstv) December 11, 2018

11/12/2018 11:23:23

#ABPResults: If the trends are to be believed, Congress will certainly form government in #Rajasthan, MP and Chhattisgarh. The results are an indication of the anger of people of Rajasthan against the BJP govt. Thank people of Rajasthan and the party leadership: Sachin Pilot,Cong pic.twitter.com/C0Orwc60im— ABP News (@abpnewstv) December 11, 2018

11/12/2018 11:06:42

Mizoram Assembly polls
Total seats: 40

Trends available: 40
Party Leading
MNF 23
ZPM 9
CONG 6
BJP 2
Others 0 (PTI)

11/12/2018 11:03:14

Three-four rounds still left, we will win with comfortable majority, according to data available with me: Kailash Vijayvargiya, BJP

11/12/2018 11:00:30

Celebrations outside Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) party office in Hyderabad as it takes big lead in initial trends.

11/12/2018 10:58:20

Rajasthan: #Visuals from BJP state office in Jaipur. #AssemblyElections2018 pic.twitter.com/Ii8MIT3Ftk— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2018

11/12/2018 10:31:00

Congress reaches majority mark in Madhya Pradesh.

11/12/2018 10:38:11

PM Modi ahead of #WinterSession: This session is important, many issues of public importance will be taken up. I have faith that all the members of the Parliament will respect this sentiment and move ahead. Our efforts are that discussions are held on all issues.

11/12/2018 10:14:08

Official ECI trends: Congress leading on 82 seats, BJP leading on 62 seats, others on 21 seats in Rajasthan.

11/12/2018 09:58:48

Sweets being distrubted outside TRS MP Kalvakuntla Kavitha Rao. The results are indicating a crushing win for the TRS in Telangana.

11/12/2018 09:55:18

Official ECI trends: Congress leading on 63 seats, BJP leading on 45 seats, others on 15 seats in Rajasthan

11/12/2018 09:50:21

Official ECI trends: Mizo National Front leading on 2 seats, BJP leading on 1 seat in Mizoram.

11/12/2018 09:45:40

Madhya Pradesh: BJP zooms past Congress and is now leading in 110 seats. Congress is at 107. Others 8.

11/12/2018 09:43:50

Trends at 9:43 am: TRS 66, Cong 32, BJP 2 , Others 9

11/12/2018 09:41:57

Official ECI trends: Congress leading on 47 seats, BJP on 34, independents on 7 & others on 3 in Rajasthan.

11/12/2018 09:38:52

Congress is ahead in 51 seats, which is 5 more than majority mark in the assembly. BJP is ahead 30 seats. If Congress manages to win the elections, it will form government after 15 years.

11/12/2018 09:36:47

Sensex at 34,458.86, down by over 500 points

11/12/2018 09:35:05

Chhattisgarh - Congress is leading in 54 seats and is most certainly forming the government. BJP is trailing with 30 seats. Others have 6.

11/12/2018 09:30:47

Madhya Pradesh is stepping towards a humdinger as BJP has reduced the margin to 6 seats. Congress is ahead in 104 seats while Others have 5 seats.

11/12/2018 09:00:15

In Indore's 9 seats, BJP is leading in 7 seats. Trends and leads available after an hour of counting shows Congress ahead in all the five states.

11/12/2018 08:56:00

Telangana is seeing a close contest between Congress+ and TRS. Both are locked at 30 seats after 50 minutes fo counting. BJP is ahead in 3 seats while the rest have 4.

11/12/2018 08:46:19

In Telangana's 199 seats - Congress+ is ahead in 22 while KCR's TRS is leading in 15 seats. BJP is at 2 while Others have 3.

11/12/2018 08:44:49

Congress veteran and former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot is leading from Sardarpura seat in Jodhpur.

11/12/2018 08:42:48

In early trends of 66 seats out of 199 in Rajasthan, the Congress party along with its alliance is ahead in 43 seats. BJP is leading in mere 22 seats. The Congress has forged ahead and doubled the lead. Other parties which include independents are ahead in 2 seats.

11/12/2018 08:41:08

Madhya Pradesh: Shivpuri is an important seat for the Bharatiya Janata Party and Yashodhara Raje is running ahead from this seat.

11/12/2018 08:38:27

MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan is leading from Budhni seat. Chouhan is facing Congress candidate Arun Yadav. Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje is leading in Jhalrapatan.

11/12/2018 08:33:13

Congress+ is giving TRS a close fight in Telangana where it is ahead in 7 seats. KCR's party is leading in 6 seats. BJP is ahead in 1 while Others at 3.

11/12/2018 08:25:29

In Rajasthan, the Bharatiya Janata Party is trailing behind Congress. Congress+ is leading in 7 seats while BJP is at 5. Others haven't scored yet.

11/12/2018 08:21:05

Initial trends at 8:20 am - BJP is leading in 5 seats while the Congress is ahead in 3 seats. Other parties haven't opened their account yet.

11/12/2018 08:15:55

Early Trends - Congress leading in 4 seats, BJP ahead in 3. BJP and Congress ahead in 2 seats each. Congress' Sachin Pilot ahead from Tonk seat.

11/12/2018 08:12:08

Initial trends - Congress leading in 2 seats in Madhya Pradesh

11/12/2018 08:08:16

First trend in favour of TRS and Congress in Telangana .

11/12/2018 08:05:02

Counting of votes for Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and Telangana begins. Postal ballots being counted now.

11/12/2018 07:44:43

Strongroom opened in Bhopal for counting of votes

11/12/2018 07:12:33

Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje leaves for temple ahead of counting of votes

11/12/2018 06:56:49

Hectic political parleys marked the eve of counting of votes for five state assemblies, billed as semi-finals before the 2019 national polls, with the Congress asserting that the mandate from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telengana and Mizoram would send a "clear message" against the Narendra Modi government at the Centre.

11/12/2018 06:56:14

Nearly 20,000 government staff will be deployed for counting of votes for the Rajasthan Assembly elections today. Counting will take place at 35 centres including two centres each in Jaipur and Jodhpur, Rajasthan Chief Election Officer Anand Kumar said.

11/12/2018 06:55:16

Counting of votes for the 40-member Mizoram Assembly will begin from 8 am amid elaborate security arrangements, state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Ashish Kundra said. The election was held on November 28 and its result will decide whether Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla of the Congress will be able to return for a third consecutive term in office. Mizoram is the last bastion of the Congress in the northeast.

11/12/2018 06:54:41

Counting of votes will be taken up to decide the fate of 1,821 candidates trying their luck for 119 assembly seats in Telangana.

11/12/2018 06:53:51

A flurry of activity was witnessed in Hyderabad on Monday, a day ahead of the counting of votes for the assembly elections, with the BJP hinting at supporting K Chandrasekhar Rao's TRS in forming the government if it fell short of a majority and AIMIM pledging support.

11/12/2018 06:52:25

Fate of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan's bid for his fourth term in office will be known today with counting of votes for the state's 230 assembly seats scheduled to begin at 8 am, while the challenger Congress expects to return to power after a 15-year gap.

11/12/2018 06:51:54

Counting of votes will be held Tuesday for the Chhattisgarh Assembly polls, being viewed as a prestige battle for three-term Chief Minister Raman Singh of the BJP and the opposition Congress' fight for resurgence.