Rajasthan election results highlights: Congress set to form government, seeks appointment with governor

Congress emerged the single largest party in thee Rajasthan assembly polls whose results were declared on Tuesday, winning 99 seats on its own, and one more with RLD. The election is seen as a major test of popularity of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.Due to the death of one candidate, elections were countermanded in one seat, effectively making it an election for 199 seats, putting the majority at 100 seats.Read: Rajasthan election results 2018: All you need to knowThe counting of votes is taking place at 35 centres, including two centres each in Jaipur and Jodhpur.Rajasthan is known to be a swing state with the people electing a new government in every election. This year, incumbent chief minister Vasundhara Raje is fighting to retain her position as chief minister even as the BJP has thrown in all its might to ensure a victory in the desert state.Also Read: Assembly elections 2018: Who will top the closely-fought contest in Rajasthan?The Congress is banking on anti-incumbency and is hoping to return to power after spending five years in the opposition. Among the key candidates who are contesting the elections for the Congress are Sachin Pilot and former chief minister Ashok Gehlot.Exit polls have predicted a close fight between the Congress and the BJP with the former have a marginal advantage in the state.In 2013, the BJP had won a huge mandate of 163 assembly seats with the Congress winning only 23 seats in the 14th assembly election in the state.The results of Rajasthan assembly election were declared along with four other states — Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Mizoram and Telangana- which went to polls over the last month.Here are the highlights of the Rajasthan assembly election results:

10:40 pm IST

Congress leaders to meet Rajasthan governor tomorrow

Rajasthan Congress general secretary Sushil Sharma: We have given a letter to the Governor & have sought an appointment tomorrow. A high level delegation will meet him tomorrow, he has given us the appointment of 7 pm tomorrow.

10 pm IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulates assembly election winners

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Congress, KCR and the Mizo National Front (MNF) for their victories. 

 

 

9:30 pm IST

Results not as expected: Arun Jaitley

I think result was certainly not as expected&it’s an opportunity to pause and analyse, for results were not as per expected. In both Chhattisgarh&MP we were in power for 15 yrs&we have done well. I don’t think there was aniti-incumbency but fatigue factor does come in: Arun Jaitley, Union finance minister.

9:05 pm IST

Vasundhara Raje submits resignation

Outgoing Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje submitted her resignation to governor Kalyan Singh on Tuesday evening.

8:45 pm IST

Vasundhara Raje congratulates Congress

Outgoing Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje in Jaipur: I would like to congratulate Congress. I accept this mandate by the people. BJP has worked a lot for them in these 5 years, I hope the next party takes those policies and works forward.

7:54 pm IST

Rahul Gandhi addresses media after Congress takes 2 states, leads in 1

‘Time for change,’ says Rahul Gandhi as Congress takes Rajasthan

6:18 pm IST

‘Grand victory’

“This is a grand victory. We’re forming government in 3 states what can be better than that,” says Ashok Gehlot after Congress takes Rajasthan

5:34 pm IST

Rajasthan’s gaupalan minister Otaram loses to independent

Rajasthan’s gaupalan minister Otaram has lost the Sirohi seat to independent candidate Sanyam Lodha with a margin of 10,253 votes. Lodha is a Congress rebel.

5:30 pm IST

CPI(M) leading in two seats in Rajasthan

After drawing a blank in the last election in Rajasthan, the CPI(M) is leading in two seats, both of which were held by the BJP.

The Left party’s Balwan Poonia is leading with 73,725 votes in Bhadra constituency of Hanumangarh district. His nearest rival is BJP’s Sanjeev Kumar.

In Shree Dungargarh constituency of Bikaner district, the CPI(M)’s Giridharilal Mahiya is leading with 72,361 votes. Congress candidate Mangalram is at the second position in this seat.

In the 2013 elections, the CPI(M) or the Communist Party of India (Marxist) had failed to win any seat. It won three in 2008 elections.

4:57 pm IST

RLD offers support to Congress to form govt in Rajasthan

National vice-president of the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) Jayant Chaudhary issues a letter, stating “Respecting the mandate of the people, party President Chaudhary Ajit Singh has directed the MLA of the party to help Congress form a stable government.”

4:51 pm IST

Congress’ legislature party meet on Wednesday

The Congress in Rajasthan will hold its legislature party meeting Jaipur on Wednesday to decided on who will be the chief minister.

“The Congress Legislature Party meeting will take place tomorrow. AICC general secretary K C Venugopal has arrived for the meeting,” state Congress chief chief Sachin Pilot said.

3:58 pm IST

Rajasthan revenue minister loses Pachpadra seat

BJP candidate and Rajasthan revenue minister Amra Ram loses Pachpadra seat to Congress candidate Madan Prajapat by a margin of 2,395 seats.

3:43 pm IST

Newly elected Congress MLAs to meet in Jaipur tomorrow

Newly elected Congress MLAs will be meeting in Jaipur tomorrow.

According to latest ECI trends, the Congress party is leading on 98 seats, BJP is leading on 65 seats, BSP on 5, CPM on 2 and others on 16 seats in Rajasthan.

3:32 pm IST

Sachin Pilot reaches Khasa Kothi to meet Congress observer Venugopal

Sachin Pilot reaches Khasa Kothi to meet Congress observer KC Venugopal, Rajasthan in charge Avinash Pande and four co incharges. Ashok Gehlot will also attend the meet.

2:57 pm IST

Rajasthan assembly speaker wins by a record 74,542 votes

Rajasthan assembly speaker Kailash Meghwal has won by a record 74,542 votes in Bhilwara’s Shahpura seat.

2:18 pm IST

Congress leaders Sachin Pilot, Ashok Gehlot win from Tonk, Sardarpura constituencies respectively

Senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot has won from Sardarpura while Sachin Pilot has won from Tonk constituency.

Rajasthan pradesh Congress committee chief Sachin Pilot has won the Tonk assembly constituency, defeating BJP’s only Muslim candidate in the state and Transport Minister Yoonus Khan.

Meanwhile, BJP’s Rajpal Singh Shekhawat has lost from Jhotwara constituency in Rajasthan

1:55 pm IST

Raje wins from Jhalrapatan seat

CM Vasundhara Raje wins from Rajasthan’s Jhalrapatan seat.

According to latest ECI trends, Congress leading in 100 seats, BJP leading in 73 seats, BSP in 5, CPM in 2 and others in 19 seats in Rajasthan.

13:29 pm IST

BJP’s Vasudev Devnani wins Rajasthan’s Ajmer North seat

BJP candidate Vasudev Devnani wins Rajasthan’s Ajmer North seat.

1:03 pm IST

Talking to like-minded parties to form govt: Sachin Pilot

We are marching towards a full majority. The BJP stands defeated in the face of Congress workers’ hard-work and dedication. We will form govt with clear majority but we are in touch with like-minded independents and parties who are against the BJP.

12:47 pm IST

Sachin Pilot in talks with 8 independents in Rajasthan: ANI

Congress’ Sachin Pilot is in talks with 8 independents in Rajasthan, reports ANI.

12:38 pm IST

Trends show Congress marching ahead to victory in Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh: Pilot

“Trends show Congress marching ahead to victory in Rajasthan, MP and Chhattisgarh, confident trend will continue across country,” said Sachin Pilot.

Also Watch: Trends make it clear that Congress is forming govt in Rajasthan with full majority: Sachin Pilot

12:26 pm IST

Will get clear majority, still we would want independent, parties to support us: Gehlot

“Numbers can go up and down but public’s mandate is in the favour of Congress. We will get clear majority, still we would want independent candidates and parties other than BJP to support us if they want,” said senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot

12:19 pm IST

This result will set tone for 2019 elections: Ashok Gehlot

“Rahul Gandhi raised key issues, like Rafale, farmers’ woes and oil, which benefitted the party in the assembly elections. This (Rajasthan) result will set tone for 2019 elections,” said Ashok Gehlot.

11:57 am IST

Congress leading in 10 seats out of 19 in Jaipur district

The Congress is leading in 10 seats out of 19 seats in Jaipur district.

After 9th round, BJP’s Gulab Chand Kataria is trailing by 2,300 votes, while Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje is leading by 17,327 votes in Jhalrapatan.

11:49 am IST

Congress benefitted as Rahul Gandhi raised key issues: Ashok Gehlot

Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said Rahul Gandhi raised key issues concerning the people because of which Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “graph came down”.

He also said that Gandhi first cornered PM Modi and Amit Shah in Gujarat and played issue-based politics. The senior Congress leader said the Congress benefitted as Gandhi raised issues concerning price rise, farmers, the Rafale issue on which Modi and the BJP did not have answers.

11:43 am IST

Congress should get a comfortable majority in Rajasthan: Sachin Pilot

“People have blessed us. We should get a comfortable majority in Rajasthan,” said Sachin Pilot.

11:35 am IST

This result is a gift for Rahul Gandhi: Sachin Pilot

“Rahul Gandhi became party president exactly a year ago this day, so this result is a gift for him. Congress will form government in three states,” said Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot.

11:31 am IST

Congress forming govt in Rajasthan: Sachin Pilot

“Trends make it clear that Congress is forming government in Rajasthan with full majority, we had 21 seats last time. We should wait for the final numbers. Congress leadership and MLAs will decide who will get what role,” said Sachin Pilot

11:09 am IST

Rahul Gandhi will decide on who will be the CM: Ashok Gehlot

“Ashok Gehlot said Rahul Gandhi will decide on who will be the Rajasthan chief minister,” said Rahul Gandhi.

As per latest official ECI trends, Congress is leading in 91 seats, BJP is leading in 79 seats, others in 24 seats in Rajasthan.

10:54 am IST

Congress races ahead in Rajasthan, 12 BJP ministers trailing

Early trends indicated that the Congress was headed for a majority in Rajasthan, while 12 of its ministers trailing behind their rivals. State Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria and Transport Minister Yoonus Khan are among those trailing after the initial rounds of counting, according to the state election commission’s website.

Independents are leading in 10 seats and candidates of other parties are ahead in five seats.

10:47 am IST

Congress leads in Rajasthan: Official ECI trends

Official ECI trends show Congress leading in 91 seats, BJP leading in 71 seats, others in 22 seats in Rajasthan.

10:28 am IST

State assembly speaker leading in Bhilwara’s Shahpura

State Assembly Speaker Kailash Meghwal is leading by 3,411 votes in Bhilwara’s Shahpura seat.

The ministers trailing are -- state Social Justice Minister Arun Chaturvedi (Civil Lines), Water Resources Minister Rampratap (Hanumangarh), Agriculture Minister Prabhu Lal Saini (Anta), UDH Minister Srichand Kriplani (Nimahera), Gaupalan Minster Otaram Devasi (Sirohi seat) and Health Minister Kalicharan (Malvia Nagar). Barmer MP Sonaram is also trailing

10:23 am IST

Discuss throw gold medallist in 2010 Commonwealth leading from Sadulpur

Congress candidate and discus throw gold medallist in the 2010 Commonwealth Games Krishna Poonia is leading in the Sadulpur constituency by 646 votes, according to chief electoral officer.

10:17 am IST

Cong takes early lead, several ministers trailing

The Congress is leading in in 82 seats, while the BJP is ahead in 62 seats in the 200-member Rajasthan assembly, according to the state election commission’s website. Several state ministers are trailing behind after the initial rounds of counting.

10:12 am IST

Rajasthan cooperative minister trailing in Degana

Rajasthan’s Cooperative Minister Ajay Singh trailing by a margin of 1,311 votes in Degana seat.

10:07 am IST

Rajasthan environment minister trailing in Lohawat seat

Rajasthan Environment Minister Gajendra Singh trailing by a margin of 1,375 votes in Lohawat

9:54 am IST

Congress ahead in Rajasthan: Official ECI trends

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

9:47 am IST

Former CM Gehlot leading in Sardarpura

Former CM and Congress candidate Ashok Gehlot leading with a margin of 5,112 votes in Rajasthan’s Sardarpura.

Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje leading by 4055 votes from Jhalrapatan.

9:39 am IST

Water resource minister trailing in Rajasthan

Rajasthan Water Resource Minister Rampratap trailing by margin of 658 votes in Hanumangarh seat, while Social Justice Minister Arun Chaturvedi trailing by a margin of 2,467 votes in the civil lines constituency in Jaipur.

Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje leading in Jhalrapatan constituency with a margin of 4055 votes. Congress candidate Manvendra Singh trailing.

9:17 am IST

Congress leading on 15, BJP leading on 13 seats in Rajasthan: Official EC trends

Official election commission trends show the Congress leading on 15 seats and BJP leading on 13 seats.

9:13 am IST

Congress workers celebrate outside Sachin Pilot’s residence as initial trends show the party leading

Congress party workers begin celebrations outside Sachin Pilot’s residence as initial trends show the party leading.

Latest trends show Congress leading in 76 seats while BJP is leading in 59.

8:49 am IST

Early trends show Sachin Pilot ahead in Tonk

As per latest trends, Sachin Pilot is leading in Tonk.

The trends show Congress leading in 67 seats while BJP is leading in 48.

8:45 am IST

Congress workers bring firecrackers to party office in Jaipur

Congress workers brought firecrackers to party office in Jaipur after early trends show Congress leading in Rajasthan.

As per latest trends, Congress is shown to lead in 38 seats while BJP is shown to lead in 29.

8:29 am IST

Early trends show Congress leading in Rajasthan

As per early trends, Congress is shown to lead in 20 seats, whereas the BJP is shown to lead in 10.

8:24 am IST

Vasundhara Raje gains lead in her constituency Jhalrapatan, as per early trends

Early trends show Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje taking lead in her constituency Jhalrapatan

The current strength on Rajasthan Assembly is 200 - BJP 160, INC 25, BSP 2, Independents 7.

8:16 am IST

As per latest trends, Congress ahead of BJP in Rajasthan

As per latest trends, Congress is shown to lead in 12 seats while BJP is shown to lead in 5.

8:10 am IST

A party needs 100 seats to form govt in Rajasthan

In Rajasthan, a party needs 100 seats to form government and the BJP says it is confident of a return to power.

In 2013, the BJP won 163 seats with 45.17% vote share — its highest ever poll victory. In contrast, the Congress won 21 seats with 33.07% vote share.Yet, a curious trend has emerged in the state in the past 20 years, where neither the BJP nor the Congress has come to power for a consecutive term.

Read: Can BJP buck Rajasthan’s alternating power trend, or is it Congress’ turn?

8:00 am IST

Counting of votes begins in Rajasthan

The counting of votes has begun in Rajasthan. The counting will take place at 35 centres including two centres each in Jaipur and Rajasthan is known to be a swing state with the state electing a new government in every election.

7:55 am IST

Rajasthan assembly elections saw top leaders of both the Congress and the BJP campaigning extensively

The assembly elections saw top leaders of both the Congress and the BJP campaigning extensively in the state speaking on issues such as construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya, caste of Hindu god Hanuman, caste and family of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, apart from farm and water crisis, jobs, reservation to certain castes, the alleged inaccessibility of chief minister Vasundhara Raje and her cabinet colleagues.

7:52 am IST

BJP contesting all seats in Rajasthan on its own

The BJP is contesting on its own in all seats. Farmer leader Hanuman Beniwal’s Rashtriya Loktantrik Party and Bharatya Tribal Party have put up candidates in several segments and may impact a few seats in their areas of influence.

7:29 am IST

Vasundhra Raje leaves for Tripura Sundari temple ahead of counting

Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara leaves for Tripura Sundari temple in Banswara to pray before the counting for Rajasthan elections 2018 begins.

7:24 am IST

Interesting fact: Rajasthan voters are known to elect a new government every five years

Rajasthan voters are known to elect a new government every five years and if exit polls are anything to go by history may repeat in assembly elections 2018, which witnessed a direct fight between the Congress and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

The 200-member assembly is witnessing a bilateral fight between the ruling BJP and the Congress, in a state that has alternated between the two every five years for the last two decades.

Read: Who will top the closely-fought contest in Rajasthan?

7:19 am IST

Counting of votes to begin at 8 am

The counting of votes will begin at 8 am.The results today will seal the fates of 2274 candidates who contested the elections. Due to the death of one candidate, elections were countermanded in one seat, effectively making it an election for 199 seats. To form a government in the state, any party will need to win 100 seats.

6:46 am IST

Give signed round-wise results to candidates, media: EC to CEOs

Ahead of counting of votes in five states which went to polls recently, the Election Commission has reminded the chief electoral officers that round-wise results should be shared with the candidates without fail. Reminding the CEOs of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and Telangana of its April 2014 instructions, it said the observer and returning officers will sign the candidate-wise results for the round after checking everything.

6:37 am IST

Voting trends, result to be telecast at public places through LED screens: CRO

“Voting trends and result will be telecast at public places for the first time in the state through 350 LED screens, “ said Rajasthan chief election officer Anand Kumar.

6:23 am IST

Three-layered security in place: CEO

Rajasthan chief election officer Anand Kumar said ample security arrangements have been made at the counting centres and nearby locations, with a three-layered security in place.

6:21 am IST

Preparations complete for counting of votes:CEO

The Chief Election Office (CEO) has said that all preparations have been completed ahead of counting of votes on Tuesday for the polls.

Voting for 199 of the total 200 assembly seats in the state took place on December 7.

6:18 am IST

Nearly 20,000 govt staff deployed for counting of votes

Nearly 20,000 government staff will be deployed for counting of votes for the Rajasthan Assembly elections .

Counting will take place at 35 centres including two centres each in Jaipur and Jodhpur, Rajasthan Chief Election Officer Anand Kumar told reporters Monday.