Counting day: Congress ahead in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, close fight in Madhya Pradesh

As votes were counted in five state elections seen as a semi-final ahead of the 2019 general election, the Congress was leading in two BJP-ruled Hindi heartland states, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, and was locked in a tight race in Madhya Pradesh. It was trailing in Mizoram, which it governed, while the ruling TRS appeared set to keep Telangana comfortably.

Why the results matter

For the BJP, the polls were the last test of its policies before seeking another term at the Centre. A strong result for the Congress was expected to lift its standing in any opposition front against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Celebrations began at the Congress headquarters in Delhi and its office in Jaipur as leads grew.

Reactions

Sachin Pilot said it was clear the Congress would form the government in Rajasthan with a full majority, and that reports suggested the party was heading for power in all three states. BJP’s Shaina NC said a negative result would not affect the 2019 election, congratulated the Congress and said her party had put up a fight, citing Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s 15 years in office and Vasundhara Raje, who had been written off. She called Chhattisgarh the only shock, given Raman Singh’s record.

State by state

• Madhya Pradesh: the biggest prize, with Chouhan seeking a fourth term. A Congress win would raise the question of leadership among Kamal Nath, Digvijaya Singh and Jyotiraditya Scindia, who had kept a truce through the campaign.
• Chhattisgarh: the Congress built a large lead in a three-way contest; the alliance led by Ajit Jogi and Mayawati was ahead in 8 seats.
• Rajasthan: Raje had hoped to break the trend of governments being voted out, and the BJP narrowed the gap. The Congress still had to choose between Sachin Pilot and two-time chief minister Ashok Gehlot.
• Telangana: BJP state leader K Laxman, whose party was projected to win only five of 119 seats, offered to back K Chandrashekar Rao. The TRS turned the offer down, and Laxman was rebuked by his party.
• Mizoram: the Mizo National Front led in 25 of 40 seats, with the Congress ahead in only 9.

What happened next

Final results: in Madhya Pradesh the Congress won 114 seats to the BJP’s 109 and Kamal Nath became Chief Minister; in Rajasthan the Congress won 99 to the BJP’s 73 and Ashok Gehlot took office; in Chhattisgarh the Congress won 68 and Bhupesh Baghel became Chief Minister. The TRS won 88 seats in Telangana under K. Chandrasekhar Rao, and in Mizoram the MNF won 26, with Zoramthanga as Chief Minister.

Originally published on 11 December 2018. Rewritten on 9 October 2026.

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