Election results day comes to an end
Thank you for following our live blog on results day. To recap, the Bharatiya Janata Party won stunning election victories in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand on Saturday, a personal triumph for Prime Minister Narendra Modi that could now ensure his party’s near-domination of politics in India.
The results routed the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance, as well as the Bahujan Samaj Party, once a dominant power in a state where the BJP last ruled in 2002.
Read | Modi magic to Hindu card: 5 reasons that helped the BJP win UP elections
The BJP and Congress were neck-and-neck in Manipur and Goa where smaller parties will now hold the balance of power.
For the Congress, some consolation came from Punjab, where the party rode anti-incumbency to decisively boot out the Akali Dal-BJP alliance.For AAP supremo and Delhi chief minster Arvind Kejriwal, the poll results punctured his national ambitions for now.
For comprehensive reports, analyses, maps and data interactives, follow our complete election coverage here.
EC orders re-polling in Uttarakhand constituency
The Election Commission has ordered a re-polling at booth number 128 of Lohaghar assembly constituency on March 15 after results in an EVM didn’t show up due to a technical glitch. The results will be announced at 6 pm that day, the EC said.
Early in the day, chief minister Harish Rawat who lost from the two seats he contested, hinted that glitches in the EVM machines could have helped BJP. “I salute Modi wave and EVM magic” he said.
Chidambaram calls Modi ‘the most dominant political figure’
Former finance minister P Chidambaram said PM Narendra Modi has emerged as the “most dominant political figure” after the assembly polls, while seeking to differ that the election results are a referendum on note ban.
The results will increase the BJP’s tally in the Upper House and a majority there will make it possible for the NDA government to start radical reforms during its remaining term to accelerate the economic growth, the Congress leader said.
“The elections today have clearly established that the most dominant political figure in India is Prime Minister Modi. And he has a pan-India appeal,” Chidambaram told a gathering at Indian Merchants Chamber in Mumbai.
Chidambaram said it would be a “simplistic conclusion” to attribute the note ban to the runaway BJP win in UP. A variety of other factors were at play during the polls and it was not a “referendum” on the surprise move to ban the high value notes, he said.
Read more | Modi 360 and Modi 24X7: Politics of hope, aggression, magnetism
Congress supports Mayawati’s demand for probe into EVM tampering
The Congress supported Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati’s demand for a probe into EVMs used in the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls and asked the Election Commission to seriously look into her charges.
“Whether her doubts are founded or unfounded, it is a matter to be addressed by EC in order to erase all doubts about the integrity, honesty and impartiality of the electoral process which is intrinsic to uphold the democratic traditions of our country,” Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said.
In talks with all non-BJP MLAs to form govt: Digvijay
We are in talks with all non-BJP MLAs to form the government, says Congress leader Digvijay Singh. He calls the results an “outright rejection” of the earlier government.
He also laughs off Manohar Parrikar’s claims that the BJP could stake claim on the government. “It reflects the utter frustration of Parrikar,” he says, adding that Parrikar ought to be the defence minister and fulfil his duties rather than interfering in Goa politics.
The Congress has won 17 seats in the state out of 40, the BJP 13 and other parties have won 10. The Aam Aadmi Party failed to open an account in Goa.
Not in the race for UP CM post: Shrikant Sharma
BJP leader Shrikant Sharma said he is not in the race for UP chief ministership but will “not run away” if the party entrusts him with any responsibility.
Sharma trounced his nearest rival, leader of Congress parliamentary party Pradeep Mathur, by a record margin of over one lakh votes.
“The victory is of the Modi-Amit Shah combine, but it signifies the faith that people have developed for the Prime Minister,” the national spokesperson of the BJP said, adding that it shows that people were eagerly waiting to get rid of “corruption, bad governance and criminalization”.
Who will be Modi’s pick for Uttar Pradesh CM post? Here’s a list of probables
AAP has become ‘B-team’ of BJP: Congress
Congress accused the Aam Aadmi Party with helping BJP in Punjab and Goa assembly polls by becoming the saffron party’s “B-team”.
It said the AAP will now be “ousted” in upcoming civic polls in national capital, like it was in the elections held in the two states. “AAP contests only in those states where the BJP and Congress are in direct contest so that it can help the BJP by becoming its B-team,” Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala told reporters.
Surjewala said the Congress is “indebted” to voters in Punjab and Goa, where AAP contested polls, for “disrupting those who call themselves disruptionist”.
Will support non-Congress govt in Manipur: NPF
The Naga People’s Front says they will support any non-Congress government and that they will write to Manipur governor. In a statement, the NPF “reiterates its stand to rid the region of the Congress party,” pledging their support for a “non-Congress coalition government.
NPF with 4 seats pledges support to non-Congress coalition govt in Manipur. #ManipurElection2017 #ElectionResults @htTweets pic.twitter.com/f6yjUOGGnT
— Utpal Parashar (@utpal_parashar) March 11, 2017
The NPF won four seats, the Congress 28 and BJP 21 out of the 60 seats counted so far.
Will stake claim in Goa, says Parrikar
BJP’s Manohar Parrikar says the party will stake claim if it manages to get enough support. “We are not trying to pass on the buck, we are all responsible for a fractured mandate,” he said.
Congress wins 17 seats, BJP 13 after results for all 40 seats in Goa were declared.
The results in Goa were more disappointing for the AAP. It failed to win a single seat in a house of 40, with even its chief ministerial candidate Elvis Gomes losing. The former bureaucrat lost from Cuncolim, signalling a massive let down for the party that was looking to give itself an electoral boost before the next round of assembly elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.
‘No merit’: EC responds to Mayawati’s EVM allegations
Election Commission says there is “no merit” in Mayawati’s allegations that EVM tampering affected the election results. EC says it has ”firm conviction and complete satisfaction” that the equipment cannot be tampered with.
All 40 seats in Goa declared
Results of all 40 seats in Goa declared: Congress wins 17, BJP 13, NCP 1, MGP 3, GFP 3 and Independent 3.
BJP sweep in UP has ‘dangerous’ portend for country: Left parties
The BJP sweep in Uttar Pradesh has “dangerous” portend for the country as it would encourage “divisive and harmful” Hindutva politics, the Left parties said.
The parties attributed the saffron party’s success to “communal” appeal and called for unity of the Left and other secular forces to meet the challenge posed by the NDA major.
BJP's sweeping victory in UP has been accomplished by a mix of communal appeal & putting together a caste coalition.https://t.co/x3pACczvU0
— CPI (M) (@cpimspeak) March 11, 2017
“While acknowledging the massive mandate BJP has received, it also has implications that are dangerous for the country as it will encourage the brand of Hindutva politics, which is divisive and harmful,” CPI(M) Politburo said in a statement.
Now, Harish Rawat hints at EVM tampering
Outgoing Congress chief minister Harish Rawat on Saturday hinted at possible tampering of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to tweak the poll outcome, reports IANS
Addressing a press conference, Rawat said: “I want to thank ‘Modi Kranti’ (revolution) and EVM ‘chamatkar’ (miracle).”
When reporters asked if he was hinting at tampering of EVMs, he said he did not say anything of the sort. “You know everything. I am not confusing you. I leave it to you to understand.” He added that the Election Commission of India must explain why the poll process was stretched over such a long duration.
UP and Goa CMs resign
Akhilesh Yadav submits his resignation as Uttar Pradesh chief minister to Governor Ram Naik. Goa chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar also resigns.
Congress to seek support of like-minded parties in Goa: Digvijay
As Goa heads for a hung Assembly, the Congress said it will seek support from like-minded parties to make a majority and form the next government.
“We will not mind approaching like-minded parties such as Goa Forward if we require additional numbers to form the next government,” AICC general secretary in-charge of Goa affairs Digvijay Singh told reporters in Panaji.
Of the total 40 assembly seats, results have been announced for 30. Congress has won 11 while the ruling BJP got 10. In the remaining 10 seats, BJP and Congress were leading in four each. The majority mark in the coastal state is 21 seats.
Congress loses all four seats in Amethi, BJP wins three
Congress lost all the four assembly seats in Amethi district, the pocket borough of Nehru-Gandhi family, with the BJP bagging three of them.
Sitting MLA Rakesh Pratap Singh from SP retained his Gauriganj seat, defeating Congress nominee Mohammad Naeem by more than 26,000 votes. Samajwadi Party and Congress had joined hands for the assembly election but their candidates had contested against each other in some of the seats.
BJP nominee Garima Singh polled 63,912 in Amethi defeating her nearest rival and tainted minister Gayatri Prasad Prajapati of Samajwadi Party who received 58,941 votes.
‘Fed up of politics,’ says Irom Sharmila
“I am fed up of politics, won’t fight elections again,” Irom Sharmila tells HT. The rights activist and People’s Resurgence and Justice Alliance party nominee got fewer than 100 votes, losing to the incumbent chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh in Manipur.
“But I want my party, Peoples Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA) to survive,” she said. For 16 years, Sharmila was a role-model for the people of Manipur, a fearless activist who staged the world’s longest hunger strike against what is widely seen as a draconian law.
Read more | Manipur polls: Emotional Irom Sharmila quits politics after debut debacle
Govt should probe EVM tampering allegations: Akhilesh Yadav
“If questions have been raised by the Bahujan Samaj Party on EVMs, government should probe it. I will also look at it on my level,” says Akhilesh Yadav speaking to reporters in Lucknow. He says he accepts the mandate of the people.
“Perhaps people didn’t like the expressway and voted for bullet train, says Akhilesh. He also says that the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance will continue.
“In politics, you can never say what happens. Until someone does work better than us, our work will speak,” says Akhilesh.
Rahul Gandhi congratulates Modi, says ‘our fight continues’
‘I congratulate Narendra Modi and the BJP on their victory in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand,’ tweets Rahul Gandhi. “I thank everyone in Punjab for their immense faith and support. This is a mandate for a brighter future for Punjab and it’s youth. My heartiest congratulations to Capt Amarinder Singhji and all our party workers who worked tirelessly.”
To all Congress workers across India: We stand resolute and committed to our values and our belief in an India united in strength and purpose. Our fight continues and will not end till we win the hearts and minds of people.
Hope Ram temple will be constructed soon: Shiv Sena
The Shiv Sena congratulated BJP for its stunning victory in Uttar Pradesh and said that the Ram temple will now be constructed soon in Ayodhya.
“Ram’s period of exile has ended. We now hope that Ram temple will be constructed soon in Ayodhya,” Sena MP Sanjay Raut told reporters in Mumbai. “The assembly results in five states are out. We welcome the win of BJP. We also congratulate the Prime Minister on this victory,” he added.
Referring to Congress’ win in Punjab, Raut said that people have voted for change wherever there was a credible alternative to the incumbent government.
Read more | BJP’s win paves way for constructing Ram Temple in Ayodhya: VHP
Latest results on Manipur assembly elections
51 seats declared in Manipur out of 60: Congress wins 22, BJP 20, NPF 3, NPP 4, LJP 1, IND 1.
Rawat says ‘deficiencies in leadership’ led to defeat
Harish Rawat speaks to the media shortly after resigning as chief minister of Uttarakhand. “I accept Congress’ defeat in the election and I concede that there were deficiencies in my leadership which led to this.”
The genesis of Rawat’s downfall could be traced to political instability that shook Uttarakhand last year. The young state was brought under President’s rule on March 27, the first in its 16-year history, after nine Congress legislators revolted against the Rawat government and sided with the opposition BJP.
Read more | Behind BJP landslide, a sting in Rawat’s tale, mass exodus
PM Modi says party win is victory for good governance
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has tweeted: “Gratitude to the people of India for the continued faith, support and affection for the BJP. This is very humbling and overwhelming.
I thank the people of Uttar Pradesh from the bottom of my heart. This is a historic win for the BJP and for good governance.
As the Varanasi MP, I am thankful for having received the trust and love of the people of Varanasi.
Every moment of our time, everything we do is for welfare and well-being of the people of India. We believe in the power of 125 crore Indians.
Congratulations to Amit Shah, party office bearers and state units for their exemplary work in taking the party to new heights.
I salute the hardwork of BJP Karyakartas. They have tirelessly worked hard at the grassroots level & won the confidence of the people.
Am overjoyed that BJP has received unprecedented support from all sections of society. Huge support from the youth is gladdening.
I thank people of Punjab for giving Akali Dal and BJP the opportunity to serve for 10 years & for the support we got in these polls.”
BJP will form govt in four states, says Amit Shah
This is the biggest mandate since Independence, said BJP chief Amit Shah, addressing a press conference at the party’s headquarters in Delhi. The party is leading in more than 300 seats in the politically crucial state of Uttar Pradesh. Shah said the BJP will form government in four states -- UP, Manipur, Goa and Uttarakhand. “The people accepted politics of performance. This historic mandate will take the country in a new direction,” said Shah. “Move past Hindu-Muslim, a voter is a voter,” he told the gathering. “Politics of development should take place.” The results will be seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies, including the shock recall of 500-and 1000-rupee banknotes. Shah said the people’s faith in the prime minister had only increased after the demonetisation move.
Harish Rawat resigns as Uttarakhand CM
Harish Rawat resigns from the post of Uttarakhand’s chief minister after losing in both seats - Haridwar rural and Kichha - after his party suffered a bruising defeat. The BJP leads in the state with 56 seats out of 70, with the Congress winning only 12.
UP BJP chief credits Modi for huge gains
BJP’s Uttar Pradesh chief Keshav Prasad Maurya credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi , BJP workers and the people of the state for the party’s massive gains. The BJP is leading in more than 300 seats of the state’s 403-member assembly, which is up by an estimated 270-plus since the previous polls. Maurya said the chief minister will be decided by the party’s central parliamentary board.
Celebrations at BJP headquarters as Amit Shah arrives
Celebrations at BJP's Delhi Headquarter; senior leaders including Amit Shah & Arun Jaitley present inside #ElectionResults pic.twitter.com/WCDrgmpaxh
— ANI (@ANI_news) March 11, 2017
Shivpal hits out at Akhilesh, calls loss ‘defeat of arrogance’
Samajwadi Party senior leader Shivpal Yadav criticised his nephew and incumbent chief minister Akhilesh Yadav for the massive defeat that the party is staring at in the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. “Pride went before the fall (sic). This is not a defeat of the samajwadis but of arrogance and of those who removed Netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav, from party’s post of national president) and humiliated me,” said Shivpal, who won from the Jaswant Nagar seat. The two have been on opposite sides of a bitter family feud since June 2016 over control of the party.
PM Modi speaks to Amarinder Singh, congratulates him on Punjab win
Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks to Amarinder Singh, congratulates him on Punjab win. The ruling SAD-BJP combine is lagging behind in the state with leads in only 17 seats. The Congress is leading in 77 seats.
The Aam Aadmi Party stands second 21 seats.
BJP wins Ayodhya back from Samajwadi Party
Riding the Modi wave, BJP’s Ayodhya candidate, Ved Prakash Gupta, has defeated sitting Samajwadi Party MLA Tej Narayan Pandey, who was a minister in the Akhilesh Yadav government, by 26,806 votes. This was Gupta’s first win in his third attempt from Ayodhya. He had contested the election on a BSP ticket in 2007 and from the SP in 2012. He described his win as the victory of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision.
BJP chief Amit Shah to address press conference at 3.30pm
BJP chief Amit Shah will address a press conference at 3.30pm. Early counting showed the BJP’s vote share in Uttar Pradesh to be more than 40% (the party got 42% votes in Lok Sabha elections in 2014), a stunning achievement likely to be credited to Amit Shah, Modi’s chief election strategist.
Riding ‘Brand Modi’, BJP on its way to power in UP, Uttarakhand
The Bharatiya Janata Party is on course for stunning election victories in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, in a personal triumph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that might ensure his party’s near-domination of politics in India.
The biggest surprise is from the battleground state of Uttar Pradesh, where counting trends signal ringing endorsement for Modi’s stewardship of the economy, especially the controversial decision to scrap 500- and 1000-rupee banknotes.
We accept people’s mandate, says Samajwadi Party’s Shivpal Yadav
“I thank the people of Jaswant Nagar for my victory. Rest, we accept people’s mandate,” says Samajwadi Party’s Shivpal Yadav. Shivpal was locked in a bitter public battle with his nephew and Mulayam Singh Yadav’s son AKhilesh Yadav till recently.
Latest results on Manipur assembly elections
BJP wins 13, Congress 13, NPF 3 and Others 3
Latest results on Goa assembly elections
BJP wins 8; Congress 8, NCP 1, MGP 1, GFP 3
BSP chief Mayawati questions voting machines, challenges Modi, Shah
“The BJP has won even in Muslim areas... Voting machines were tampered with... It’s a shocking result in UP... I openly challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah to write the Election Commission and ask for a review of the voting process and machines,” says BSP chief Mayawati at a press conference.
Trends show the BJP is leading in 310 of the state’s 403 seats, leaving the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance way behind at 68 seats. The Bahujan Samaj Party, once a dominant power, faces decimation.
“Either the EVMs did not accept votes other than BJP, or the votes of other parties have gone to BJP in the EVMs.”
“I request the Election Commission of India to suspend the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand assembly election results and get a foreign investigative team to probe the voting machines.”
Digambar Kamat wins Goa’s Margaon seat
Congress’ Digambar Kamat, a former Goa chief minister, has won from the Margaon seat. The Congress (10) and BJP (11) are neck and neck in the state’s 60-member assembly.
Parkash Singh Badal to resign
“Tomorrow, I will submit my resignation to the governor,” says Parkash Singh Badal.
The struggle will continue, says Arvind Kejriwal
As trends dealt a blow to the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party’s national ambitions with a poor show in Punjab and Goa, the Delhi chief minister said: “We bow to the people’s mandate. The struggle will continue.”
Jitin Prasada in neck-and-neck contest with BJP rival
Congress leader Jitin Parasada is fighting a close battle with his BJP rival on Tilhar seat of Shahajahanpur, trailing by around 100 votes. This is the maiden assembly election for the former minister.
Five reasons why Arvind Kejriwal’s AAP lost the Punjab race
1.SPLIT IN THE RANKS The Aam Aadmi Party’s campaign energy was slowed down by a series of rebellions sparked off by the removal of state convenor Sucha Singh Chhotepur, with a number of party members and volunteers deserting the party. AAP’s negotiations with celebrity politician Navjot Singh Sidhu too fell through early in the campaign cycle.
2.CONTROVERSIES GALORE The party’s youth manifesto showed a picture of a broom, AAP’s election symbol, alongside the Golden Temple. Party chief Arvind Kejriwal kicked off another scandal by staying at the house of a former Khalistani Commando Force militant days before elections. Its MP, Bhagwant Mann, got in trouble with police for allegedly inciting violence against journalists who were covering his rally.
3.THE ‘OUTSIDER’ Kejriwal’s team of strategists was seen as ‘outsiders’ and even internally seen as sidelining state leaders. The party lost a lot of time in projecting its chief ministerial face in a state where big leaders carry massive name recall.
4. ‘ANTI-PUNJABI’ IMAGE The party was up against the sweeping perception that it doesn’t understand Punjab -- neither its politics nor its culture. Kejriwal made a series of attempts in the last leg of the campaign to fight the party’s “anti-Punjabi/anti-Sikh” image, but the damage was done.
5. CORRUPTION TAINT For a party challenging the incumbent SAD-BJP government on the issue of corruption, frequent allegations that AAP had failed to keep a record of donations affected the party’s claims of being open and transparent.
Will discuss the reasons: Parkash Singh Badal on Punjab defeat
Parkash Singh Badal says: “We will discuss the reasons in the core committee meeting and analyse each aspect of our performance in the elections”
Assembly elections 2017: Personalities win the day, not real issues
“We rejoiced when the 2014 general elections signalled a paradigm shift in our election campaigns from the purely political and personal to development. Now the people can get their teeth into the real issues that plague much of India we thought. But there seems to have been a reversal of priorities in these elections to five states, one of which is so important that all parties went hell for leather to woo voters. And those who have emerged victorious have done so by at best skimming the surface of development issues.”
Latest trends from Uttarakhand and Manipur assembly election results
Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav to address media at 5pm
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav to address media at 5pm. Midday counting trends show the BJP is leading in 310 of the state’s 403 seats, leaving the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance way behind at 68 seats.
PM Modi to arrive at BJP headquarters at 4pm
PM Modi to arrive at BJP headquarters at 4pm; likely to address BJP workers. The Uttar Pradesh assembly election results signal a resounding endorsement of Prime Minister Modi’s policies, including the controversial decision to recall 500- and 1000-rupee banknotes, and will boost his chances for a second term in the national elections in 2019.
Amarinder Singh wins from Patiala (Urban)
Amarinder Singh has won from Patiala (Urban) seat by a margin of over 51,000 votes. Amarinder, who turned 75 on Wednesday, is all set to take over as the next chief minister of Punjab in what is considered his last stint in active politics since he had already declared that the 2017 polls would be his last elections. “CLP meeting has been called tomorrow (Sunday) at 2pm,” Singh has said.
Harish Rawat loses both seats
Uttarakhand’s incumbent chief minister Harish Rawat has lost from both seats – Kichha and Haridwar rural. The Congress looks set for a heavy defeat in the state as trends showed the party leading in just 11 seats, 21 down from the last time. The BJP, ahead in 55, appears headed for a sweeping victory.
Latest trends in assembly election results in Goa, Uttarakhand
BJP’s UP vote share more than 40%, show early trends
The Modi juggernaut appeared unstoppable as the BJP led in 305 of Uttar Pradesh’s 403-seat assembly. Early counting showed the party’s vote share in UP to be more than 40% (the BJP got 42% votes in Lok Sabha elections in 2014). Analyses of the data indicated that the BJP not only held on to its traditional support base but expanded its appeal among a cross section of castes and sub-castes that traditionally voted for the Samajwadi Party and the BSP.
Latest trends in assembly election results in UP, Punjab
BJP celebrates Uttar Pradesh assembly election results
WATCH: BJP UP state president Keshav Prasad Maurya celebrates in Lucknow as BJP leading in Uttar Pradesh pic.twitter.com/PkH2RNMAqm
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 11, 2017
A big wave of support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi has propelled his Bharatiya Janata Party to an insurmountable lead in assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, setting the stage for the party’s near-domination of politics in India.
Midday counting trends show the BJP leading in 305 of the state’s 403 seats, leaving the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance way behind at 71 seats. The Bahujan Samaj Party, once a dominant power, faces decimation.
Kejriwal lost in Punjab because of his wrong intentions: Sidhu
“We will have to raise Punjab with policy... People expect that we will push Punjab on the path of progress... Kejriwal lost because his intentions were wrong,” says Navjot Singh Sidhu. The AAP wooed and then shooed away former BJP leader Navjot Singh Sidhu who took away with him MLAs Navjot Kaur and Pargat Singh.
“This is the revival of the Congress, it is just the beginning. The Congress will spread from here.”
Harish Rawat loses in Haridwar (Rural), a BJP bastion
Harish Rawat loses in Haridwar (Rural), a BJP bastion. Charges of the corruption and autocratic working style against Rawat were the issues raised by the BJP in the two-month long campaign in Uttarakhand.
Nation stands with PM Modi, says Piyush Goyal
Union minister Piyush Goyal says: “Today nation is standing with PM Modi. This is the victory of people of UP and Uttarakhand.” Staking his personal reputation, Modi unleashed a high-octane campaign in Uttar Pradesh, where the BJP last ruled in 2002. He held 23 public rallies and two road shows in about a month.
CLICK HERE FOR REGULAR UPDATES ON UTTAR PRADESH ASSEMBLY ELECTION RESULTS
Congress says vote-bank politics has won, development has lost in UP
We respect the mandate, but development has lost and votebank politics has won:Rajiv Shukla,Congress on #uttarpradeshpolls2017 pic.twitter.com/Ir8CTqPvyD
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 11, 2017
The BJP is cruising ahead in 308 seats , with the Samajwadi Party-Congress combine leading in just 70 seats.
CLICK HERE FOR REGULAR UPDATES ON UTTAR PRADESH ASSEMBLY ELECTION RESULTS
Forget 2019, plan for 2024, tweets Omar Abdullah
How the hell did almost all the experts/analysts miss this wave in UP? It's a tsunami not a ripple in a small pond.
— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) March 11, 2017
Punjab, Goa & Manipur would certainly suggest that the BJP isn't unbeatable but strategy needs to shift from criticism to positive alternate
— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) March 11, 2017
At this rate we might as well forget 2019 & start planning/hoping for 2024.
— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) March 11, 2017
Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore on Congress’ political future
Congress ka haath paapon se kaala ho chuka hai, isey ab janata kabhi nahin sweekar karegi: Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore,BJP #ElectionResults pic.twitter.com/8sFzkrBaLB
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 11, 2017
CLICK HERE FOR REGULAR UPDATES ON UTTAR PRADESH ASSEMBLY ELECTION RESULTS
AAP CM candidate for Goa, Elvis Gomes, currently at third position in Cuncolim, Congress candidate first
AAP candidate Elvis Gomes is currently at the third position in Cuncolim. The AAP had urged voters to choose the new entrant over the Congress, which has deep roots in Goa. The party chose Gomes, a former bureaucrat, as its candidate for the chief minister’s post. CLICK HERE FOR REGULAR UPDATES ON GOA ASSEMBLY ELECTION RESULTS
BJP edges past Congress in Manipur: Trends
In Manipur, counting is underway in 29 of the 60-seat assembly. The BJP, at 13, has nosed ahead of the Congress that is leading in 11 constituencies. The state’s three-time chief minister, Okram Ibobi Singh, has won his Thoubal seat, defeating debutant Iron Sharmila.
CLICK HERE FOR REGULAR UPDATES ON MANIPUR ASSEMBLY ELECTION RESULTS
Akhilesh Yadav likely to meet UP governor at 2pm
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav is likely to meet the governor at 2pm to tended his resignation. The BJP is cruising ahead in 295 seats, with the Samajwadi Party-Congress combine leading in just 74 seats.
Latest trends from Uttarakhand: BJP leading in 51 seats and Congress in 15
Latest trends from Uttarakhand: BJP is leading on 51 seats and Congress on 15. Trends suggest a clean sweep for the BJP in Uttarakhand, where the Congress is now in power. State chief minister Harish Rawat is trailing in two seats that he is contesting. CLICK HERE FOR REGULAR UPDATES ON UTTARAKHAND ASSEMBLY ELECTION RESULTS
AAP’s national ambitions hit by trends
Trends so far have dealt a blow to the Aam Aadmi Party’s national ambitions. It is yet to open its account in Goa. In Punjab, where exit polls showed the Arvind-Kejriwal-led party was neck and neck with the Congress, it is placed third, even behind the Akali Dal-BJP combine. If the trends hold, the dismal show could hurt AAP’s maiden foray in Gujarat.
People have rejected SP-Congress alliance: BJP’s Yogi Adityanath
The BJP’s Yogi Adityanath says: “People have rejected the SP-Congress alliance in a big way, this is a vote for development.” The results of the assembly polls would be seen a test for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies, including the controversial decision to recall 500- and 1000-rupee banknotes, and boost his chances for a second term in the national elections in 2019. A strong showing by his party will also provide fresh impetus to politically unpalatable but industry-friendly labour and land reforms.
Congress ahead in Punjab, party workers celebrate
Congress leading in Punjab: Party workers celebrate in Chandigarh #ElectionResults pic.twitter.com/n7XFz6U5KM
— ANI (@ANI_news) March 11, 2017
The Aam Aadmi Party is trailing behind the Congress and the ruling Akali Dal-BJP combine in Punjab. The Congress is leading in 64 seats. The AAP is leading in 23 seats and the ruling alliance in 31.
Besieged by a string of electoral reverses, the Congress desperately needs a win in Punjab to turn around its national political fortunes. The party’s Punjab campaign was based on discrediting the ruling Badal family.
Irom Sharmila loses to Manipur CM Ibobi Singh: TV
Activist Irom Sharmila, making her political debut, has lost to Okram Ibobi Singh, Manipur’s three-time chief minister from Thoubal constituency, say TV reports
BJP announces firecracker show in UP
The BJP has announced a firecracker show at 10.30am to celebrate its early surge in Uttar Pradesh. After two hours of counting, the BJP was cruising ahead in about 270 of 390 seats for which trends were available, with the Samajwadi Party-Congress combine leading in just 77 seats. The Bahujan Samaj Party was at the third position with leads in 30 seats. The halfway mark in the state’s 403-member house is 202.
Possible scenarios and implications at national level: If BJP makes clean sweep
If the BJP is on the winning side in all five states, it would embolden the NDA government at the Centre to go for the jugular by accelerating economic reforms, especially the long-pending ones in the labour sector. The results would silence the snipers in the BJP and the Sangh Parivar, who have strong reservations against the Centre’s reforms agenda. A spectacular performance by the BJP will accentuate its domination of the country’s political landscape and further marginalise opposition parties, especially the Congress that looks clueless about how to stop the Modi juggernaut. It could lead to renewed attempts by them to forge a mahagathbandhan or grand alliance, which was instrumental in the BJP’s defeat in Bihar assembly polls. CLICK HERE FOR REGULAR UPDATES ON UP ASSEMBLY ELECTION RESULTS
Congress crosses halfway mark in Punjab
Trends show Congress ahead in 61 seats in Punjab, crosses halfway mark. Leading in 27 seats, Akalis nose ahead of Arvind Kejriwal’s AAP (24).
Gurpreet Singh Ghuggi leading in Batala
Gurpreet Singh ‘Ghuggi’ leading in Batala. Gurpreet Singh Waraich, 45, popularly known as ‘Ghuggi’, is a graduate and has acted in several movies. He began his career with the Jalandhar Doordarshan.
BJP’s Laxmikant Parsekar loses from Mandrem: TV
The BJP’s Laxmikant Parsekar has lost from Mandrem, according to television reports. Parsekar lost to his Congress rival Dayanand Sopte in the North Goa constituency.
Latest trends from Punjab
Latest trends from Punjab: Congress - 51, SAD+BJP - 27, AAP - 24,Others - 1
Shivpal Yadav leading in Jaswant Nagar seat
Shivpal Yadav is leading in the Jaswant Nagar seat. Shivpal was publicly locked in a bitter battle with his nephew and chief minister Akhilesh Yadav over control of the party till recently.
BJP ahead in UP, SP-Congress lag behind
The BJP is ahead in 210 Uttar Pradesh seats. The SP-Congress combine is ahead in 60 seats and the BSP is leading in 30. The majority mark in the state assembly is 202 seats. In the political bellwether, Uttar Pradesh, regional groups built along caste lines such as the ruling Samajawadi Party and opposition Bahujan Samaj Party are seeking to keep the BJP away from power. CLICK HERE FOR REGULAR UPDATES ON UP ASSEMBLY ELECTION RESULTS
Harish Rawat trailing in both seats
Uttarakhand’s incumbent chief minister Harish Rawat trailing in both seats of Kiccha and Haridwar rural.
For regular updates on Uttarakhand assembly election results click here
BJP workers celebrate party’s early surge in UP
BJP leading in Uttar Pradesh: Party workers celebrate in Lucknow #ElectionResults pic.twitter.com/SmmoBRNKSV
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 11, 2017
The Bharatiya Janata Party is surging ahead of the Samajawadi Party-Congress combine in Uttar Pradesh, in keeping with exit poll predictions, according to early trends.
Congress candidate Navjot Singh Sidhu leading in Amritsar East
Congress candidate Navjot Singh Sidhu is leading in Amritsar East. In Punjab, the stakes are highest for the Congress, which is banking on Amarinder Singh’s charisma and Navjot Sidhu’s bluster to carry it past the majority mark.
Amarinder Singh leading by 3,500 votes in Patiala
Amarinder Singh is leading by 3,500 votes in Patiala. The former Punjab chief minister is contesting from two seats – Patiala (Urban) and Lambi, where he is up against chief minister Parkash Singh Badal. Patiala (Urban) was earlier held by Amarinder’s wife Praneet Kaur.
Trends: BJP surges ahead in UP
BJP is leading in more than 120 seats in Uttar Pradesh
Swami Yatishwaranand leading ahead of Harish Rawat in Haridwar Rural
Swami Yatishwaranand leading ahead of Harish Rawat in Haridwar Rural. The chief minister had earlier decided to contest from the traditional BJP bastion.
Mulayam Singh Yadav’s daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav trailing from Lucknow Cantt seat
Mulayam Singh Yadav’s daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav trailing from Lucknow Cantt seat. The Samajwadi Party chief’s ‘choti bahu’ is up against sitting MLA Rita Bahuguna Joshi of the BJP.
Sidhu ahead in Amritsar East
Congress’ Navjot Singh Sidhu is leading in the Amritsar East constituency
Latest trends from Punjab: Will AAP’s national ambitions succeed?
Punjab official EC trends: SAD 2, Congress 1 and AAP 1 #ElectionResults
— ANI (@ANI_news) March 11, 2017
Poll results in Punjab and Goa will have a significant bearing on the national ambitions of the Aam Aadmi Party, which won 67 of Delhi’s 70 seats. Victory could propel them into the big league, and perhaps, even establish the AAP as a leader in an anti-BJP/anti-Congress alliance. A failure, however, could dent the party’s hopes ahead of Gujarat elections later this year, where it plans to fight the ruling BJP.
Latest trends in UP: BJP leading on 5 seats of Lucknow
Latest trends in UP: BJP leading on 5 seats of Lucknow. The results will be seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies, including the shock recall of 500- and 1000-rupee banknotes – a decision that opposition parties slammed as anti-poor and turned into a poll plank.
Uttarakhand: Congress and BJP are leading on seat each
Congress and BJP are leading on seat each in Uttarakhand. The BJP looks set to dislodge the Congress as four out of five exit polls have given a clear majority to the saffron party. One poll forecast a close fight in the 70-member legislature.
SP’s Shivpal Yadav on early trends in Uttar Pradesh
Samajwadi Party’s Shivpal Yadav says: “The counting has begun, we will clinch a big win.” Mulayam Singh Yadav’s brother Shivpal was recently locked in a bitter power struggle with chief minister and the SP chief’s son Akhilesh Yadav.
Latest trends in Uttar Pradesh
Latest Trends: BJP 23, SP+ 10, BSP 5, Others 3 #ElectionResults pic.twitter.com/r6P4104fv7
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 11, 2017
Parkash Singh Badal leading in Lambi
Punjab Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh had brought party vice-president Rahul Gandhi to Lambi and vowed to politically end five-time chief minister Parkash Singh Badal.
Punjab: Parkash Singh Badal leading from Lambi. Capt Amarinder Singh second and AAP's Jarnail Singh third #ElectionResults pic.twitter.com/L8xN3TnN5b
— ANI (@ANI_news) March 11, 2017
Raja Bhaiya leading in Kunda
In Kunda (Pratapgarh), Independent candidate Raghuraj Pratap Singh, popularly known as Raja Bhaiya, is leading. If he wins, this will be his sixth term
Irom Sharmila trailing in Manipur
Irom Sharmila is trailing in Manipur. Sharmila co-founded the the People’s Resurgence and Justice Alliance.
Results 2017: Decider for the Aam Aadmi Party’s national ambitions
Poll results in Punjab and Goa will have a significant bearing on the national ambitions of the Aam Aadmi Party, which won 67 of Delhi’s 70 seats. Victory could propel them into the big league, and perhaps, even establish the AAP as a leader in an anti-BJP/anti-Congress alliance. A failure, however, could dent the party’s hopes ahead of Gujarat elections later this year, where it plans to fight the ruling BJP.
States step up security arrangements amid counting of assembly election votes
#UttarPradeshElection2017 : Drone cameras being used for surveillance near a counting centre in Lucknow #ElectionResults pic.twitter.com/yP5j1ms0hf
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 11, 2017
Uttar Pradesh: BSP leading in Bulandshahr
The Bahujan Samaj Party’s candidate is leading in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr.
Jailed politician Mukhtar Ansari leads in UP’s Mau
Jailed politician Mukhtar Ansari leads in Mau. A four-time legislator from Mau Sadar, Ansari is in jail since 2005. The constituency voted on March 4, the sixth and second-last phase of voting in Uttar Pradesh.
BJP leads in Shamli
First leads in, BJP ahead in Uttar Pradesh’s Shamli West
Stakes are the highest for the Congress ahead of assembly election results
The stakes are the highest for the Congress in these five assembly elections as exit polls predict that the party is set to lose Manipur—where it has been in power for 15 years – and Uttarakhand. The Congess, which is neck and neck with the AAP in Punjab, is banking on its alliance with the Samajwadi Party for a good show in the crucial state.
If results are as the exit polls show, the grand old party of India will be reduced to just one big state —Karnataka, which goes to polls next year.
The Congress has faced a series of drubbings – in Maharashtra, Haryana, Rajsthan, Assam and Delhi – and will be looking for a win in Punjab to reverse the tide.
Update on Punjab assembly election results
Counting has begun in all the 54 centres at 27 locations in Punjab for 117 assembly seats. #ElectionResults pic.twitter.com/Viidui6oxu
— ANI (@ANI_news) March 11, 2017
Counting of assembly election votes begins
Counting of assembly election votes begins in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur.
What the assembly election results could mean for the BJP
The results will be seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies, including the shock recall of 500- and 1000-rupee banknotes – a decision that opposition parties slammed as anti-poor and turned into a poll plank.
A win for the BJP could give fresh impetus to politically unpalatable economic reforms, especially those in the labour sector.
Here is what the exit polls say on Uttarakhand and Goa
In Uttarakhand, the BJP looked set to dislodge the Congress as four out of five exit polls gave a clear majority to the saffron party. One poll forecast a close fight in the 70-member legislature.
Three exit polls suggested that the BJP could retain power in Goa. The AAP, which ran a high-voltage campaign in its debut outing in the state, was seen as failing to have had an impact in the 40-member assembly.
Drubbing on the cards for Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP combine?
In Punjab, all exit polls unanimously predict a drubbing for the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP combine. But the polls are divided on whether the Congress or the Aam Aadmi Party, which is fighting its debut assembly election in the state, will form the next government.
Two exit polls predicted a photo-finish while two other are split between the Congress and the AAP in the 117-member assembly. The halfway mark is 59.