Chhattisgarh (CG) Assembly Election Results 2018 Live Updates: Congress poised to wrest power from BJP after 15 years

Chhattisgarh (CG) Election Results 2018 Live Updates: After the first round of voting, Congress candidates were ahead of their rivals in 61 of the 90 seats in the battle for an Assembly where the half-way mark is 46, while BJP candidates were ahead in 23 constituencies. With this, the Congress appeared to be heading for a landslide victory in the state, dealing a major blow to the ruling BJP. While CM Raman Singh managed to reverse the trend after initially trailing to the Congress, all his cabinet Ministers were way behind their rivals. In the outgoing Assembly, the BJP had 49 members and the Congress 39. The BJP has ruled Chhattisgarh since 2003.

ABP News Bureau Last Updated: 11 Dec 2018 11:11 PM

11/12/2018 23:11:02

So, this is it. Congress is all set to wrest power from BJP after 15 long years in Chhattisgarh. Thank you for staying tuned.

Keep following ABP Live for all election related news.

11/12/2018 22:25:58

As many as thirteen women have been elected to the Chhattisgarh Assembly in 2018. This is a rise from the 10 and 11 women who became MLAs after the 2013 and 2008 polls respectively, a State election official said on Tuesday.

11/12/2018 22:19:19

11/12/2018 21:36:22

"I think result was certainly not as expected and it is an opprtunity to pause and analyse, for results were not as per expected. In both Chhattisgarh and MP we were in power for 15 years and we have done well. I don't think there was aniti-incumbency but fatigue factor does come in," said Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

11/12/2018 21:22:23

11/12/2018 20:59:57

"Such a huge mandate indicates that people have a lot of expectations from Congress. The victory that we have got will bind us with the public. Our party will definitely face challenges and work for the development of the public," said TS Singh Deo from Congress.

11/12/2018 20:36:21

11/12/2018 20:24:11

Congress had been standing with each and every section of the state. Therefore, it has received their immense support in the election. BJP has only cheated the people of the state during its three-term rule. It was neck-deep in corruption and 'commissionkhori'. People have given them a befitting reply," Chhattisgarh Congress chief and CM prospect Bhupesh Baghel told news agency PTI.

11/12/2018 20:22:37

Congress President Rahul Gandhi spoke on the results of the Assembly elections. He said that this is a victory of the farmers, youth and small businessmen. We will now work on providing leadership with a vision.

11/12/2018 18:33:33

11/12/2018 19:28:26

"Before Parliament election, the polls in five states show it was a mini parliamentary election. My greetings to all the winning parties," said DMK President MK Stalin while speaking to reporters.

11/12/2018 18:22:51

Amitesh Shukla from Congress has won the Rajim assembly constituency by over 57,000 votes. Shukla won 90,850 votes. He defeated BJP's Santosh Upadhyay who bagged 36,535 votes.

11/12/2018 18:21:03

Democracy has won! Thank you India, you have chosen love over hate, peace over violence & truth over lies. This victory is yours," tweets Congress after bagging a massive win in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan.

11/12/2018 18:19:45

11/12/2018 17:58:02

11/12/2018 17:57:50

I take the responsibility for this defeat because the poll was contested under my leadership. We will act as a strong Opposition and work for the development of the state, Chhattisgarh CM added.

11/12/2018 17:54:35

"We respect the mandate that the public has given. I congratulate Congress on this success. I consider it my luck to serve the public of Chhattisgarh for the last 15 years," Singh added further.

11/12/2018 17:47:32

"This is a victory of democracy. BJP had a lot of money & a team of corrupt officers, they also had conspirators in their pocket. Despite all of this, the mandate given by the people in Chhattisgarh is historic," said Bhupesh Baghel, Chhattisgarh Congress President.

11/12/2018 17:46:19

11/12/2018 17:38:10

Chhattisgarh CM attended a press conference after facing a feirce defeat from Conhgress and thanked the people of the state to allow him to serve for 15 long years. Singh also took the responsibility for BJP's defeat in the state.

11/12/2018 17:30:20

Congress candidate Purushottam Kanwar has won the Katghora seat in Chhattisgarh.

11/12/2018 17:22:19

"This is the semi-final of the final match as 2019 elections will be held in next 2-3 months. For 2019 final match game is clear, now we are just waiting for the elections.The countdown for 2019 has begun.This is the beginning of the end," Mamata Banerjee said further.

11/12/2018 17:05:40

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee spoke to media about the splendid performance of Congress and up rooting of BJP in the Assembly elections. Here what she said.

11/12/2018 17:05:29

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee spoke to media about the splendid performance of Congress and up rooting of BJP in the Assembly elections. Here what she said.

11/12/2018 16:32:34

According to news agency ANI, the CRPF jawan who was injured in an IED blast in Chintagupha, Sukma has been evacuated by a chopper for Raipur.

11/12/2018 16:23:09

According to latest trends, Congress is leading in 14 out of 20 seats in Raipur division. TS Singh Deo from Congress has won from Ambikapur constituency by a margin of more than 33,000 votes.

11/12/2018 16:27:52

Former Prime minister Atal Bihari vajpayee's niece Karuna Shukla from Congress is trailing behind the incumbent chief minister Raman Singh in Rajnandgaon constituency.

11/12/2018 16:12:48

Chief Minister Raman Singh leading by a margin of more than 5,000 votes in Rajnandgaon constituency. Congress candidate Rekhchand Jain set to win Jagdalpur constituency by a huge margin of over 25,000 votes. Even Ajit Jogi's wife Renu Jogi is leading by more than 4,000 votes in Kota constituency.

11/12/2018 16:10:12

Important candiates and trends status -

Raman Singh (Rajnandgaon seat): Leading;

Ajit Jogi (Marwahi seat): Leading;

Tamradhwaj Sahu (Durg Rural seat): Leading;

Bhupesh Baghel (Patan seat): Leading;

TS Singh Deo (Ambikapur seat): Won.

11/12/2018 16:05:43

11/12/2018 16:03:05

Though Congress has yet not named its cheif ministerial candidate in Chhattisgarh but candidates such as Bhupesh Baghel, TS Singh Deo, Satyanarayan Sharma, Tamardhwaj Sahu and Charan Das Mahant are considered to be top contenders for the CM post.

11/12/2018 15:51:30

As per latest update., Congress is leading in as many as 67 seats whereas BJP leads on 14 in Chhattisgarh. The Ajit Jogi-BSP alliance has managed to maintain lead on 9 seats.

11/12/2018 15:36:22

Chhattisgarh Congress President Bhupesh Baghel arrives at Congress office in Raipur. Speaking to reporters out the party office he said, "People of Chhattisgarh took the fight in their own hands. We are grateful to Rahul Gandhi, we fought for the ppl. We got more seats than expected, high command will decide who will be CM.”

11/12/2018 14:31:46

11/12/2018 14:15:03

Latest trends suggest - Congress: 65 | BJP: 18 | Others: 7

11/12/2018 12:57:14

11/12/2018 12:39:16

Meanwhile, reacting to the trends indicating a win for the Congress in Chhattisgarh, former chief minister Ajit Jogi said that he was "happy" with the "results" and that people chose the party because they found it the most viable alternative to the BJP. The Janta Congress Chhattisgarh (J) president told reporters that the people of the state wanted to oust the Raman Singh-led government, which has been in office for 15 years.

11/12/2018 12:18:13

The Congress is leading. Early trends suggest - Congress: 65 | BJP: 17 | Others: 8

11/12/2018 12:24:07

In Chhattisgarh, Congress is ahead of the BJP. Congress' Karuna Shukla, niece of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, is giving a tough fight to the incumbent Chief Minister Raman Singh Rajnandgaon constituency.

11/12/2018 12:16:20

With early trends in three of the five state assembly elections showing a tilt towards the Congress, its workers and supporters burst into celebrations at various party offices as well as its headquarters in New Delhi. The workers distributed sweets and raised slogans as the trends reflected that the party may make a comeback in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.

11/12/2018 11:59:24

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor takes a dig at the BJP over Assembly Election Results. "Wonderful news pouring in from #Elections2018. In the memorable words of @arunjaitley, "Great Day for India. No one who cheats India will go scot free." #EndToJumlas #TimesUpBJP," he tweeted.

11/12/2018 11:51:24

In Chhattisgarh, the Congress is giving a fright to the BJP, whose Chief Minister Raman Singh was at one time trailing in the vote count from Rajnandgaon before he overtook his rivals later. BJP candidates were ahead in 25 seats in Chhattisgarh.

11/12/2018 11:29:15

Making it almost impossible for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to seek a fourth straight term in office under the leadership of Chief Minister Raman Singh, the Congress party which aimed to stage a comeback after being in the opposition for 15 years, has comfortably crossed the majority mark and is now leading with 57 seats.

11/12/2018 11:20:40

Reacting to the trends, Congress minister Navjot Singh Sidhu called Congress president Rahul Gandhi "the new Mahabali", News18 has reported. "Bure din jaane waale hai... acche din aane waale hai (the bad days will be over and the good days are being ushered in)," Sidhu said, adding that the trends show Rahul Gandhi will win the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. "Rahul bhai pehle se hi sabko saath leke chalte hain. Insaniyat ki moorat hain. Jo haath Bharat ki takdir ko apne haathon mein lene waale hain, wo bade majboot hain, aur BJP ka naya naam- GTU, "Gire to bhi Tang Upar"", Sidhu was quoted as saying by ANI.

11/12/2018 11:16:20

According to latest trends, Congress leading in 57 seats, while the BJP is ahead in 25 seats and others in eight. Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), former chief minister Ajit Jogi’s Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) and Communist Party of India (CPI) have joined hands this time to fight the BJP and the Congress. The alliance is led by Ajit Jogi.

11/12/2018 11:01:22

The Congress is leading in Ramanujganj, Samari, Ambikapur, Katghora, Pali-Tanakhar, Beltara, Saraipali, Basna, Bilaigarh, Baloda bazar, Raipur Rural, Raipur Nagar Uttar, Sanjari balod, Durg rural, Kavardha and Narayanpur seats. The BJP is ahead in Vaishalinagar, Pamgarh, Bilaspur and Rampur seats. Ajit Jogi was leading in Marwahi seat, while his wife Renu Jogi was ahead in Kota constituency. BJP is seeking a fourth straight term in office under the leadership of Chief Minister Raman Singh, while the Congress is aiming to stage a comeback after being in the opposition for 15 years. The state had recorded 76.60 per cent voter turnout.

11/12/2018 10:31:56

The Congress is leading. Latest trends suggest - Congress: 58 | BJP: 25 | Others: 7

11/12/2018 10:05:25

Roundup:The Congress appeared to be heading for a landslide victory in Chhattisgarh, dealing a major blow to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). After the first round of voting, Congress candidates were ahead of their rivals in 61 of the 90 seats in the battle for an Assembly where the half-way mark is 46. BJP candidates are ahead in 23 constituencies. While Chief Minister Raman Singh managed to reverse the trend after initially trailing to the Congress, all his cabinet Ministers were way behind their rivals. The alliance of Janta Congress Chhattisgarh of former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi and the Bahujan Samaj Party are leading in seven constituencies. In the outgoing Assembly, the BJP had 49 members and the Congress 39. The BJP has ruled Chhattisgarh since 2003.

11/12/2018 09:56:49

The Congress is leading with more than double seats as compared to BJP. Latest trends suggest - Congress: 60 | BJP: 24 | Others: 6

11/12/2018 09:51:40

According to official ECI trends, former Chhattisgarh CM Ajit Jogi is at third position at Marwahi.

11/12/2018 09:47:45

The BJP is trailing by a large margin, early trends suggest - Congress: 56 | BJP: 28 | Others: 6

11/12/2018 09:46:28

CM Raman Singh has now recover lead in his constituency and has gained a lead in Rajnandgaon, from where the Congress has fielded Karuna Shukla, who quit the BJP to join the grand old party.

11/12/2018 09:39:50

Tight security arrangements have been made for the counting, especially in Chhattisgarh where at least 12 assembly seats are in Naxal-affected areas. Besides, there have been allegations related to the electronic voting machines. Hectic political parleys marked the eve of counting of votes for the state assembly, billed as semi-finals before the 2019 national polls, with the Congress asserting that the mandate from Chhattisgarh today would send a "clear message" against the Narendra Modi government at the Centre.

11/12/2018 09:31:37

Congress is ahead in 51 seats, which is 5 more than majority mark in the assembly. BJP is ahead 30 seats. If Congress manages to win the elections, it will form government after 15 years.

11/12/2018 09:22:03

The Congress party has won 48 seats and is leading to form a majority in the state. The grand old party is currently leading 48 against BJP's 32 while the others has gained a lead in seven seats.

11/12/2018 09:12:13

In a major setback for BJP, Congress is leading in Rajnandgaon assembly constituency which is Raman Singh's constituency. According to early trends, Congress has taken clear lead in 42 seats, BJP is ahead in 30 assembly constituencies.

11/12/2018 09:07:32

All eyes will be on Results in constituencies like Raipur City South, Raipur City West, Bilaspur, Baikunthpur, Pratappur, Mungeli, Bhilai Nagar, Nawagarh, Kurud and Bilha will be crucial as nine incumbent ministers and BJP state chief Dharamlal Kaushik have contested. However, two high-profile seats are Rajnandgaon assembly constituency and Marwahi assembly constituency where Chief Minister Raman Singh and Jogi have contested.

11/12/2018 08:58:55

After an hour of counting of votes that began at 8 am today, it's a good news for Congress party. According to latest trends, Congress is ahead in 30, BJP is leading in 25 seats, others 5. Total assembly seats in Chhattisgarh are 90 and majority mark stands at 46.

11/12/2018 08:56:32

11/12/2018 08:47:08

In an early setback for BJP and its incumbent Chief Minister Raman Minister, according to latest trends Congress is leading in 24 assembly seats, BJP is ahead in 20 seats.

11/12/2018 08:37:31

Chhattisgarh (CG) Assembly Election Results 2018 Live Updates: Congress leads in 20 seats, BJP grab 18 seats

11/12/2018 08:34:59

Chhattisgarh is witnessing battle for 90 assembly constituencies as Raman Singh fights for a fourth term. Of the 90 Assembly segments, 51 are for general category, 10 are reserved for Scheduled Castes and 29 segments for Scheduled Tribes. In the 2013 elections, the BJP won 49 seats, the Congress 39, while one seat each was bagged by the BSP and an Independent. During campaigning, the Congress tried to build a narrative against the BJP by highlighting issues such as "misrule" and "agrarian distress".

11/12/2018 08:32:26

11/12/2018 08:29:32

The ABP CVoter survey, had predicted that Congress will be bag 47 seats, while rival BJP will receive 40 seats. The independents would have to settle for three seats. The fate is yet to be decided. As of now, the BJP is leading with 15 seats, while CONGRESS has won 11 seats.

11/12/2018 08:28:17

Chhattisgarh (CG) Assembly Election Results 2018 Live Updates: Congress 10, BJP 13

11/12/2018 08:22:49

Chhattisgarh Assembly Election 2018 Results Live Updates: Congress is leading with 9 seats while BJP has 8 seats.

11/12/2018 08:16:59

IT'S A TIE! Congress is leading in the state with 4 seats, while BJP is giving a tight fight to the grand olD party with equal number of seats as of now.

11/12/2018 08:14:11

Chhattisgarh (CG) Assembly Election Results 2018 Live Updates: Congress 3, BJP 2

11/12/2018 08:13:31

Chhattisgarh (CG) Assembly Election Results 2018 Live Updates: Congress 2, BJP 1

11/12/2018 08:07:26

Brushing aside predictions of a Congress win being made by several exit polls, state BJP chief Dharamlal Kaushik said the post-election surveys were based on assumptions only. "In democracy, a government is not formed based on assumptions but is elected by the trust of people and development schemes coupled with pro-people policies", he said. Kaushik also rejected the predictions of a hung assembly and said the BJP will romp home with majority.

11/12/2018 08:05:28

According to exit poll results, it is predicted to be a high-octane battle in Chhatisgarh where the fate of as many as 1,269 candidates is at stake. While the BJP is seeking a fourth straight term in office, the Congress is aiming to stage a comeback after being out of power for 15 years. Track this section for quick and accurate update on Chhattisgarh Election Results.

11/12/2018 08:00:51

COUNTING OF VOTES BEGINS!

11/12/2018 07:58:52

State BJP chief Dharamlal Kaushik said the party will register a victory for the fourth consecutive term and the Congress should accept its defeat. He was quoted as saying that the Congress should not focus on victory now instead it should be prepared to tackle the infighting that will erupt within its leaders after facing the drubbing. The BJP has been in office for the last 15 years due to its "positive and performance-oriented" politics, he added.

11/12/2018 07:52:12

In every counting hall in Chhattisgarh, 14 tables will be arranged in rows of seven tables each, apart from separate tables for the returning officer and for counting of postal ballots. On the eve of counting of votes, the BJP and the Congress claimed victory, while Jogi's outfit also expressed confidence of forming the next government.

11/12/2018 07:50:30

In just 10 minutes, the ballot boxes will be oppened! The fate of 1269 contestants, including the chief minister, his 11 ministers and state presidents of the BJP and the Congress will be decided today. Raman Singh is locked in a fight in Rajnandgaon seat with Congress' Karuna Shukla, the niece of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

11/12/2018 09:56:58

Today is the judgment day! The fate of Chhattisgarh and othe four states will be decided today. The counting is going to start in next 20 minutes. Counting of postal ballots will begin at 8 am and half-an-hour after they are counted, the process to count votes from the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will begin. As many as 5,184 counting personnel and 1,500 micro-observers have been appointed for smooth conduct of the process in the state.

11/12/2018 07:34:00

Tight security arrangements have been made at the counting centres in all 27 districts, particularly the Naxal-affected ones, where voting was held in two phases on November 12 and 20 to elect a new 90-member Assembly. The state had recorded 76.60 per cent voter turnout. An election official was quoted as saying that counting for all 90 seats would start at 8 am at the 27 district headquarters. "All preparations have been completed and a three-layer security has been arranged at each counting centre," the official said.

11/12/2018 07:22:56

Besides several xit polls predicting a neck-and-neck fight between the big two, some have also projected victory for the Rahul Gandhi-led Cogress party. While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is seeking a fourth straight term in office, the Congress is aiming to stage a comeback after being out of power for the last 15 years.

11/12/2018 07:20:19

Counting of votes that will shortly begin for the Chhattisgarh Assembly polls. It is being viewed as a prestige battle for three-term Chief Minister Raman Singh of the BJP and the opposition Congress' fight for resurgence. This time, the coalition between Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), former chief minister Ajit Jogi's Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) and Communist Party of India (CPI) has added another dimension to the electoral politics of the state which has been dominated by the BJP and the Congress.

11/12/2018 09:56:58

Security beefed outside counting centres in Chhattisgarh. The counting of votes will begin by 8am today.

11/12/2018 07:56:14

The counting will begin in next 45 minutes. Tight security arrangements have been made at the counting centres in all 27 districts.

11/12/2018 10:05:25

Welcome to Chhattisgarh Election Results 2018 Live BLog!

बैकग्राउंड

Chhattisgarh (CG) Assembly Election Results 2018 Live Updates: The counting of votes on 90 Assembly seats in Chhattisgarh has started. This is being viewed as a prestige battle for three-term Chief Minister Raman Singh of the BJP and the opposition Congress' fight for resurgence. The stakes are high for all contending parties including Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress and former chief minister Ajit Jogi's party and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)-led alliance in the Maoists affected the state. According to exit poll results, it is predicted to be a high-octane battle in Chhatisgarh where the fate of as many as 1,269 candidates is at stake. Chhattisgarh had headed for polling in two phases on November 12 and November 20. The tenure of the current Assembly is slated to end on January 5, 2019. 46 seats are required to secure a simple majority.

While the BJP is seeking a fourth straight term in office, the Congress is aiming to stage a comeback after being out of power for 15 years. This time, the coalition between BSP and Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) and Communist Party of India (CPI) added another dimension to the poll politics of Chhattisgarh, which has always been dominated by the BJP and the Congress. Several exit polls have predicted a neck-and-neck fight between the big two. According to the Election Commission (EC), tight security arrangements have been made at the counting centres in all 27 districts, particularly the Naxal- affected ones, where voting was held in two phases on November 12 and 20 to elect a new 90-member Assembly. The state had recorded 76.60 per cent voter turnout in the polls.

The counting of postal ballots started at 8 am and half-an-hour later the process of counting votes from the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) starts. As many as 5,184 counting personnel and 1,500 micro- observers have been appointed for smooth conduct of the process. Of the 90 Assembly segments, 51 are for general category while 10 segments are reserved for Scheduled Castes and 29 for Scheduled Tribes. During campaigning, the Congress tried to build a narrative against the BJP by highlighting issues such as "misrule" and "agrarian distress". Congress chief Rahul Gandhi had announced that his party would waive crop loans of farmers within ten days of coming to power in Chhattisgarh.

Here's a look at how these major parties performed during the previous Assembly Elections held in the state in 2013: BJP - 49 seats [54.44 per cent vote share] Indian National Congress (INC) - 39 seats [43.33 per cent vote share] BSP - 1 seat [1.11 per cent vote share] Independent - 1 seat [1.11 per cent vote share].