The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), set for a record seventh straight term in Gujarat, has announced swearing-in ceremony on Monday. The event will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Leads show the BJP leading in 158 seats (up 59) in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state. With just under 20 seats, Congress is looking at its worst show ever. The Aam Aadmi Party, or AAP, which launched an aggressive campaign to make it a three-cornered contest for the first time in Gujarat, has made inroads in the western state, largely at Congress's expense. Three prominent AAP candidates, including its chief minister face Isudan Gadhvi, have lost their seat.
Himachal Pradesh, however, has proved to be a face-saver for Congress, which has taken a clear lead over the BJP after neck and neck contest after five hours of counting. The poll outcome in the hill state will decide the revival of the grand old party, which now holds power only in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, both of which will go to polls in 2023.
In the by-elections in five states including the high-profile Lok Sabha seat of Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav, the Samajwadi Party is leading in all three seats in Uttar Pradesh. Biju Janta Dal is leading in Padampur.
Here are the LIVE UPDATES on Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh Election Results:
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) clinched 23 out of 27 Scheduled Tribe seats in Gujarat as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the new entrant in the state's politics, swept aside Congress to find a footing in the tribal belt.
Although it could win only one seat, the AAP emerged as a direct challenger to BJP in nine of the 27 ST-reserved seats.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today led the Gujarat election victory celebrations at the BJP's headquarter in Delhi. The BJP raced to its best-ever result in Gujarat, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) cutting into Congress votes.
- The progress BJP has made under JP Nadda ji's leadership is being felt by all the party workers across the nation.
- It is commendable that in these elections, people have truly celebrated the festival of democracy and ensured that not even in a single booth was re-election or re-polling required.
- Not just in Gujarat, but we had a big win in the UP by-election too - in Rampur. This is also indicative of what is to come in Bihar.
- Like Nadda ji has highlighted that the difference in the win-loss in Himachal Pradesh was less than 1%. This has never been the case in Himachal. Every 5 years Himachal generally changes govt, but it is a swing of about 4-5%. This less-than-1% swing shows that the people of Himachal as well as the BJP karyakartas of Himachal kept the BJP in and worked for the BJP's win. Today I assure everyone in Himachal, that even though we missed out a victory due to less than 1%, our determination for the development of Himachal Pradesh will still be 100%.
- The reason why the BJP is loved so much across the nation is because the people of this nation know that BJP has the conviction and courage to take the bold and tough decisions. This is also reflected in the ever-growing support and trust that BJP is gaining with time.
- Today's win in Gujarat for the BJP is the biggest win for any state ever in independent India. And this massive victory is because of Modi ji. The reason we got this is because of Vikaaswaad ki rajniti - Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwaas, aur sabka prayaas.
- Today, because of PM Narendra Modi ji, the poorest of the poor gets to live a life of dignity. The poor gets electricity, gets education, gets headlthcare, gets safety for women, gets an opportunity to rise in life. These are the reasons why we as well as the people of Gujarat have broken all records.
Chants of "Modi, Modi" welcomed the Prime Minister at the party headquarters in Delhi. The PM will address the party workers shortly.
The PM was, per usual, was the star campaigner for the BJP in the Gujarat elections. The party's seventh consecutive win in Gujarat, and its best so far, has shattered talk of a latent anti-incumbency.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is at the Delhi BJP headquarters, leading the party's celebrations this evening after the party's best-ever result in Gujarat state polls.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Thursday claimed that BJP's win in Gujarat Assembly poll has sounded the bugle for the party's success in the 2024 general election. The people of Gujarat, where BJP recorded seventh win in the assembly poll, have showered their love and admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said.
"Gujarat Bugle for India! By showering (sic) this historic mandate out of their love and admiration for Hon PM Shri @narendramodi Ji, people have shown the path for 2024," Mr Sarma tweeted.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday said the BJP's grand victory in the Gujarat polls is an expression of people's immense love for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's good governance. Adityanath also congratulated all workers and members of the Gujarat BJP.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked party workers for ensuring victory in his home state of Gujarat. "To all hardworking BJP Karyakartas I want to say - each of you is a champion! This historic win would never be possible without the exceptional hardwork of our Karyakartas, who are the real strength of our Party," he said in a Tweet.
Congress has two contenders besides Pratibha Singh: Sukhvinder Sukhu and Mukesh Agnihotri. That's why the party feared BJP's "Operation Lotus"
"We have won #HimachalElections. I want to thank the people, our workers and leaders. I want to thank Priyanka Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra also helped us with this. Sonia Gandhi's blessings are also with us": Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, according to news agency ANI.
Jignesh Mewani has won from Vadgam. Mr Mewani, who contested on Congress ticket, was up against BJP's Manilal Vaghela.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday presented his party's flag to Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia) founder Shivpal Singh Yadav in Saifai, indicating a possible merger of the SP and the PSPL. As SP candidate Dimple Yadav gained a massive lead of over two lakh votes in the Mainpuri Lok Sabha bypoll, both the leaders sat together in Saifai in Etawah district, where Akhilesh Yadav presented his party's flag to his uncle.
Political sparring over the Gujarat election result saw some lighter moments when an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) spokesperson described her party as "chhotu makkhi party", inspiring a sharp comeback from a BJP leader.
Gujarat Congress in-charge Raghu Sharma resigns, taking responsibility for the party's disastrous performance in the elections
AAP Chief Ministerial face Isudan Gadhvi loses in Khambaliya by 19,000 votes to Ayar Mulubhai Hardasbhai Bera of the BJP.
As BJP inches closer to a record-breaking victory in Gujarat, state Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Thursday said that the people have given a befitting reply to those who insulted the state. (Read full story here)
In the BJP's record victory in Gujarat today, Muslim-dominated constituencies played a part even though the party did not field a single Muslim.
On its way to victory in Himachal, the Congress is now taking cautious steps to ensure that its flock stays together. Party observer Rajeev Shukla told reporters that MLAs may be moved to Chandigarh, 90 km away, "for convenience", and said BJP's poaching attempts will not succeed if the Congress crosses 40, five above the majority mark in the 68-member assembly.
Samajwadi Party candidate Dimple Yadav has taken a comfortable lead in the Mainpuri Lok Sabha constituency, while nominees of the RLD and the SP are ahead in the Khatauli and the Rampur Sadar seats respectively, according to trends for the bypolls in Uttar Pradesh.
Arvind Kejriwal's AAP, which was eyeing a big entry into the Gujarat political landscape with this election, is ahead in six seats. Gujarat has 182 seats and the majority mark stands at 92.
BJP candidate Hardik Patel said that the people elected the party for the work it has done in the state. "It's a win for BJP's work. We'll focus on the work to be done in the next 20 years. There was no competition with AAP. Viramgam made Hardik Patel win for the further development of the constituency," he said, according to news agency ANI.
BJP candidate Kantilal Amrutiya is leading from Morbi assembly seat of Gujarat, which falls under the Kachchh Lok Sabha segment. Morbi was recently in news after 130 people died in a bridge tragedy there.
The BJP appears set to scoop up almost every seat in the Congress-dominated tribal belt. The Grand Old Party is leading in less than 20 seats -- one of its poorest performances till date in the state. The Congress, which had always had its core voter group among the poor and underprivileged in the state, had dominated the tribal belt since 1950s. This is the first time the BJP is making such a wide inroad in the area.
Aam Aadmi Party's Hemant Khava is leading from Jamjodhpur assembly seat. Mr Khava is up against Chimanbhai Dharmshibhai Bokheria of BJP and Chirag Kalaria of Congress.
The BJP appears set to scoop up almost every seat in the Congress-dominated tribal belt. The Grand Old Party is leading in less than 20 seats -- one of its poorest performances till date in the state. The Congress, which had always had its core voter group among the poor and underprivileged in the state, had dominated the tribal belt since 1950s. This is the first time the BJP is making such a wide inroad in the area.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead his party's celebrations this evening at its Delhi headquarters at 6 pm. The BJP appears to have rung up its best-ever result in Gujarat, where the PM held more than 30 rallies in the final few weeks of his party's campaign. (Read full story here)
The verdict was clear in Gujarat from the get-go, as the BJP took a giant lead over the Congress soon after counting of votes began.
Chief Minister Jairam Thakur has won from Seraj. Mr Thakur was up against Chet Ram Thakur (Congress) and Adv Gita Nand Thalur (AAP), along with candidates for other parties and independents.
The Congress is leading in the Sardarshahar assembly seat in Rajasthan's Churu district, according to trends available for the bypoll on Thursday morning. In the initial round, the Congress has got 6,853 votes followed by the BJP with 3,862 votes, and Rashtriya Loktantrik Party of Nagaur MP Hanuman Beniwal with 3,007 votes, according to the Election Commission.
Samajwadi Party candidate Dimple Yadav leads with a margin of 54,797 votes.
Chief Minister Jairam Thakur is leading in Seraj, trends show. Mr Thakur is contesting from Seraj for the third straight time. He is up against Chet Ram Thakur (Congress) and Adv Gita Nand Thalur (AAP), along with candidates for other parties and independents
The Aam Aadmi Party, or AAP, which launched an aggressive campaign to make it a three-cornered contest for the first time in Gujarat, is leading in seven seats in the western state. The party, however, is yet to open an account in Himachal Pradesh which is witnessing a close fight between ruling BJP and Congress.
After an early lead for the ruling BJP, the Congress has picked up pace in Himachal Pradesh. Stakes are higher for the Congress as its chances in Gujarat are dim. The BJP is fighting the tradition of the state changing its government every election.
The BJP has contacted three Independents - KL Thakur, Ashish Sharma (Cong rebel) and Hoshiar Singh - who are leading in Himachal Polls, sources told NDTV.
BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya credited the BJP's steller show in Gujarat to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also said that the party will win 40 seats in Himachal.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel is leading by over 30,000 seats in Ghatlodia. Bhupendra Patel is up against Amee Yajnik of the Congress and Vijay Patel of the AAP.
BJP candidate Kantilal Amrutiya is leading from Morbi assembly seat of Gujarat, which falls under the Kachchh Lok Sabha segment. Morbi was recently in news after 130 people died in a bridge tragedy there.
The BJP has raced ahead in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state Gujarat, crossing the 140-seat target set by chief strategist Amit Shah within an hour of counting. Early trends show the Congress lagging behind in the 20s and AAP set to open its account -- an outcome that appears to bear out predictions aabout Arvind Kejriwal's party eating into Congress votes. It will also play into the hands of the BJP, giving the party a huge edge in seats traditionally dominated by the Congress. (Read full story here)
While the BJP is nearing 150-mark (as per trends) in Gujarat, its main challenger the Congress is ahead in 27 seats (down 51). Despite the poor show, the party says its "confident" of forming the government. "We are confident of forming the government in Gujarat, given the kind of response we got during our campaign," state Congress chief Jagdish Thakor told NDTV.
Exit polls may have cast the Congress to a very distant second place in Gujarat, but the Congress insists it's going to win the state today.
BJP candidate Rivaba Jadeja, wife of cricketer Ravindra Jadeja, is leading in Jamnagar North constituency, early trends show. Rivaba Jadeja is up against party stronghold Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, Congress chose to stick to its veteran leader Bipendrasinh Jadeja.
Congress candidate Jignesh Mevani is ahead in Vadgam, early trends show. The Dalit leader is up against BJP's Manilal Vaghela and Dalpat Bhatiya of the Aam Aadmi Party.
AAP is ahead in eight seats in Gujarat with its state chief Gopal Italia is leading in Katragam. Gopal Italia is contesting against Vinod Moradiya of the BJP and Kalpesh Variya of the Congress.
Chief Minister Jairam Thakur is leading in Seraj, trends show. Mr Thakur is contesting from Seraj for the third straight time. He is up against Chet Ram Thakur (Congress) and Adv Gita Nand Thalur (AAP), along with candidates for other parties and independents.
BJP's Hardik Patel is leading from Viramgam, one of the 182 assembly constituencies. Hardik Patel, who switched from Congress to the BJP this June contested against Congress' Lakha Bharwad and Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Amarsinh Thakore.
The BJP, which has been in power for 27 years in Gujarat, relied heavily on 'Brand Modi' in a bid to contain the anti-incumbency factor. While PM Modi held several rallies and mega road shows in Gujarat, Home Minister Shah was in the state for almost two months, micromanaging the campaign and the election strategy.
BJP is way ahead of the Congress in Gujarat. Early leads show the party leading in 90 seats (up 22). The Congress, which ran a "silent campaign" in the elections is ahead in 28 seats (down 25).
The entire stretch outside the BJP office in Delhi has been decorated with the party flags ahead of the results of the Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh assembly elections today. Exit polls predicted a mega victory for BJP in the Prime Minister's home state and in Himachal, though by a narrow margin.
The BJP is gaining in nine seats in Gujarat, early leads showed shortly after counting of votes through ballot votes began at 8 am. Congress, which ran a "silent campaign", is down in four seats.
The verdict of BJP-ruled Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh will be delivered today as counting begins. Exit polls predicted mega victory for BJP in the Prime Minister's home state and in Himachal, though with a narrow margin.
Polling for 68 assembly seats in Himachal Pradesh was held on November 12, with the state recording a 75.6 per cent turnout, breaking the 2017 record.
Apart from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president J P Nadda, chief ministers of BJP-ruled states including Yogi Adityanath, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Himanta Biswa Sarma and Pramod Sawant addressed election rallies in Gujarat. Almost all the Union ministers of the BJP took part in the campaign.
Unemployment, price rise and land acquisition for big projects were among the key issues in Gujarat. Political parties also raised issue of farmers not getting proper compensation for crop damage due to excess rains during the campaign.
Isudan Gadhvi rose to prominence after exposing a ₹ 150 crore scam of illegal deforestation in Gujarat's Dang and Kaparada talukas on his news shows. This had forced the Gujarat government to take action. Click here to know more about the AAP leader.
The BJP won 99 seats in the 2017 assembly polls. This time, the party is projected to win in the range of 117-151 seats in a House of 182.