BIG WIN: Congress emerges victorious in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, leads in Madhya Pradesh

Correspondent

NewsBits.in

JAIPUR/BHOPAL/RAIPUR: Congress snatched key states from BJP, winning Assembly elections in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. 

The party was also also set to achieve a simple majority in Madhya Pradesh. 

The win is one of the biggest for the party in recent years, as three major states in the heartland are now in its kitty. 

In Rajasthan, the victory was expected as opinion polls and surveys had suggested a rout for BJP. However, the party didn't do as bad as expected. Congress managed to win 99 seats while BJP got 73. Others include BSP (6), RLP (3), CPIM (2), BTP (2) and RLD (1).

In Chhattisgarh, Congress swept the state with 68 seats and relegated BJP (15) to a distant second position. Ajit Jogi-Mayawait's alliance couldn't play a major role. They got 7 seats. Jogi's party got five seats while BSP won in two seats. However, the toughest fight was witnessed in Madhya Pradesh. 

Here, Congress and  BJP were into a neck-to-neck fight till midnight. Congress appeared to have a slight edge later in the night. It had 115 seats while BJP was leading in 108 seats. Independents, SP, BSP and GGP had pledged support to the Congress.

For BJP it has been a big defeat. Especially, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections that are scheduled in 2019. After Congress' victory, Rahul Gandhi addressed the media. He said that Modi came to power based on issues of employment, corruption and farmers.

"But the reality is Mr. Modi was involved in Rafale corruption and failed on the remaining issues", said Gandhi. "The country is not happy with Modi. Demonetisation hurt economy, led to job losses", he further said. 

In Telangana, TRS (88) was far ahead of all other parties and Maha Kutami couldn't perform well. Congress secured 19 seats. TDP, AIFB got one each. AIMIM won seven seats while BJP could get just one. In Mizoram, MNF was set to form the government.