Madhya Pradesh result: The Congress has sought an appointment with the governor on government formation.
After a marathon 24-hour counting, the Congress has successfully managed to end the BJP's winning streak in Madhya Pradesh as it emerged as the single-largest party with 114 seats, two short of the majority, the final result released by the Election Commission shows. The BJP, which gave a close fight despite strong anti-incumbency, settled down with 109 seats. Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party or BSP has managed to win two seats, the election body said.
The votes between Congress and the BJP started swinging widely within hours after counting of votes for the 230-member assembly began at 8 am on Tuesday. The drama continued till late evening after which the Congress managed to gain a slight lead over the BJP.
Sensing victory, the Congress opened backchannel talks with the BSP, Samajwadi Party (SP), Gondwana Gantantra Party (GGP) and independents who were leading, the sources said.
Mayawati, who had snubbed the Congress before the polls and refused to tie-up in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, is believed to have called her winning party lawmakers for a meeting in Delhi.
The election was held in Madhya Pradesh on November 28 and 75% of the state's 5.03 crore voters exercised their franchise, with around 1.64 lakh people having voted on an average in each constituency.
In 2013 polls, BJP had won 165 seats while Congress and BSP got 58 and 4. Three independent MLAs also won the polls.
Here are the LIVE updates on Madhya Pradesh:
The Congress had not announced any Chief Ministerial candidate in the run-up to the elections.This morning, Rahul Gandhi had dispatched party veteran AK Antony to test the waters. At a meeting in the evening, the state legislature party decided Mr Gandhi should be the one to pick a name.
Congress leader Shobha Ojha has informed that the MLAs have unanimously decided that a decision on the Chief Minister will be taken by party chief Rahul Gandhi.
The Madhya Pradesh Congress has passed a resolution, empowering party's high command to take a decision regarding Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister.
Congress leaders Kamal Nath, Jyotiraditya Scindia receives observer AK Antony at the Bhopal Airport in Madhya Pradesh. The party MLAs' meeting begins at 4 PM today, reports news agency ANI.
Shivraj Chouhan to media- What these people have promised - loan waiver in 10 days - Rahul (Gandhi) has said they will change the CM if they don't deliver in this regard. I hope Congress delivers.
- We have won 109 seats. We will be responsible in the role of opposition.We would provide constructive criticism
I called up Kamal Nath (Congress leader) to congratulate him. And all I want to tell the new government is work for the people. We devised schemes for people, for farmers, for the poor. I want the new government to take over from here. We are all a part of democratic set up: Shivraj Chouhan
Shivraj Chouhan addresses media - The BJP members worked tirelessly for the campaign.
- The party chief worked very hard. I am grateful to the national head, and people of the country.
- In 2008, we got lesser vote share, but we won 143 seats. This time we got 40 percent votes... but we got 109 seats.
- If anyone's to blame for the poll performance, it's me.
- Despite the best of efforts by the central government, the party couldn't perform. It is perhaps because of me.
Since we didn't receive the majority, we won't stake claim to form the government, says former Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan
If anyone has got hurt because of any of my gestures, I apologise: Shivraj Chouhan
"Will be an honour to serve, party will decide": Jyotiraditya Scindia on chief minister race
Jyotiraditya Scindia, who is one of the frontrunners in chief ministerial race, made it clear he was ready for the job, if his party were to give it to him.
"It would be an honour to serve as chief minister," Mr Scindia told NDTV, shortly after the Congress staked claim to form the next government in Madhya Pradesh.
Along with BSP and Congress, four legislators have assures support to the Congress, which has won 114 seats in the 230-member assembly.
Congress leader Kamal Nath visited former chief minister Shivraj Chouhan at his residence today.
Mr Nath, who is among the frontrunners for the chief ministerial post, said that the Congress will fulfill its promise made to voters in the state.
"Farmers, unemployment are our biggest issues. We will try to address their concerns," he said.
Congress leader Narendra Saluja said that the party enjoys the support of 121 legislators.
"We have met Governor and staked claim to form Govt, we have the support of 121 MLAs, the situation is clear," he said.
Shivraj Chouhan submits resignation letter to Governor Anandiben PatelShivraj Chouhan submitted his resignation letter to Governor Anandiben Patel. Mr Chouhan has said that the BJP will not try to stake claim to form the government in the state.
The BJP won 109 seats, seven short of the halfway mark. The Congress with 114 seats has emerged as the single-largest party.
Independents, BSP, SP extend support to Congress
The Congress will form the government with the help of Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samajwadi Party. Four Independent legislators have also extended support to the Congress.
Here's how the final tally looks like:
Congress - 114
Independent - 4
BSP - 2
SP - 1
Congress leaders reach Governor's residence to stake claim of the government.
Kamal Nath is expected to pay a courtesy visit to Shivraj Singh Chouhan at 1 PM, news agency ANI said quoting Shobha Oza.
"At 4 PM we have a meeting of party MLAs and AK Antony is coming as observer and after it we will put in a word with Rahul Gandhi," he said.
"Party High Command To Decide On Chief Minister": Jyotiraditya Scindia
Jyotiraditya Scindia, who led the Congress campaign in Madhya Pradesh,
said that various factors led to BJP's defeat in the state. "Not only farmers, multiple factors led to BJP's defeat in Madhya Pradesh," he said.
He, however, evaded question on who will head the government in the state. "The Congress High Command will decide on the chief minister," he said.
Samajwadi Party extends support to Congress in forming the government in Madhya Pradesh
Shivraj Singh Chouhan to resign as chief minister
Outgoing chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who was aiming for a fourth term in the state, said that he will not try to stake claim to form government in the state.
"I bow my head to the decision of the people. The BJP will not be staking claim to form the government in Madhya Pradesh. I am now going to go and meet the governor and let her know our decision," Mr Chouhan said.
The Congress is the single-largest party in the state with 114 seats, while the BJP has managed to win 109 seats.
Congress leaders to meet Governor afternoon
Senior Congress leaders Madhavrao Scindia, Kamal Nath, Digvijaya Singh are expected to meet Governor Anandiben Patel at 12 pm. On Tuesday, the Congress leaders had requested an appointment with the Governor for formation of government in the state. Congress has emerged as the biggest party in the state with 114 seats.
"BSP will support Congress in Madhya Pradesh": Mayawati- If you see, over the last many decades, it was the Congress that ruled most of the states in India. But it was not working for the benefit of the people. Hence regional leaders had to come out and create their own parties to reach out to the people.
- Had the Congress performed well, the BJP would not have been able to expand its base.
- We fought these elections to ensure that the BJP does not come back to power. While BSP has performed well, we did not do as well as we had thought.
- Our aim is to keep the BJP out of power. And that is why we have decided to support the Congress in Madhya Pradesh.
13 ministers in Shivraj Chouhan cabinet lost their seat
Thirteen minister in the outgoing Madhya Pradesh cabinet, however, failed to hold their turf.
While state Revenue Minister Umashankar Gupta lost his seat to Congress' PC Sharma, Sharad Jain, lawmaker from Jabalpur was defeated by Vinay Saxena of the Congress.
Minister of Higher Education Jaibhan Singh Pawaiya lost his Gwalior seat to Congress leader Pradhyuman Singh Tomar by over 11,000 votes.
Congress' Manoj Singh Chaudhary snatched Hatpipliya from Education Minister Deepak Joshi and Health Minister Rustam Singh was defeated by Raghuraj Singh Kansana of the Congress in Morena.
Animal Husbandry Minister Antar Singh Arya lost to Congress candidate Gyarsilal Rawat in Sendhwa (ST) constituency by about 18,000 votes.
Women and Child Development Minister Archana Chitnis lost Burhanpur to Independent candidate Thakur Surendra Singh and Civil Supplies Minister Omprakash Dhurve couldn't save Shahpura from Congress candidate Bhoopendra Maravi.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan has won from his traditional Budhni seat by a margin of 58,999 votes, defeating former union minister and senior Congress leader Arun Yadav.
Congress seeks appointment with governor on government formation
The Congress has requested an appointment with the Governor to form government in the state. On Tuesday, as the party was involved in a neck-to-neck battle with the BJP, its senior leaders opened up backchannel talks with the BSP and other smaller parties to help it form the government.
The BJP, which gave a close fight despite strong anti-incumbency, settled down with 109 seats. Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party or BSP has managed to win two seats, the election body said.
The 24-hour thriller in Madhya Pradesh finally ended today as Congress emerged as the single-largest party in the state. The party managed to win 114 seats, two short of majority, the Election Commission said.