Chhattisgarh Results Highlights: Bhupesh Baghel submits resignation, BJP to form govt

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Out of a total of 90 seats, BJP wins 54, Congress wins 36 seats, Gondvana Gantantra Party (GGP) gets 1.

In Chhattisgarh, 1.26 percent of the electors pressed the NOTA button.

“I have submitted my resignation (from CM post) to the Governor of Chhattisgarh. We humbly accept the mandate of the people,” says Bhupesh Baghel after defeat in the assembly polls.

The Congress leader, who resigned as the chief minister Sunday night, has however, emerged victorious in the Patan assembly seat, defeating BJP candidate Vijay Baghel by 19,723 votes.

Bhupesh Baghel, who was getting ready to continue as the chief minister of Chhattisgarh after exit polls predicted a Congress victory, on Sunday, suffered a setback as the BJP wrested the state from the hands of the grand old party.

The Congress leader, who resigned as the chief minister Sunday night, emerged victorious in the Patan assembly seat, defeating BJP candidate Vijay Baghel by 19,723 votes in the state assembly elections held last month.

Baghel, who became the CM in 2018, has emerged as one of the most formidable state-level leaders of the Congress in the last five years.

The Bharatiya Janata Party is set to form its government in Chhattisgarh as it crosses the majority mark of 46 seats, as per the Election Commission of India. The counting of votes is still underway.

-- The two tribal-dominated divisions of Surguja and Bastar having 26 Assembly seats that contributed hugely to the Congress' landslide victory in Chhattisgarh in 2018 have swung to the Bharatiya Janata Party this time.

-- In the 2018 polls, the Congress had won all 14 seats, including nine reserved for the Scheduled Tribes, in the Surguja division.

-- Bastar division has 12 seats, of which 11 are reserved for STs.

The Congress had won 11 of these 12 seats in the 2018 polls, with the BJP managing to win only in Dantewada. Bastar division has 12 seats, of which 11 are reserved for STs.

“I would like to express my gratitude to the people of Raipur for their support, and I assure them that I will work diligently. I am grateful that people chose BJP over Congress as they turned Chhattisgarh into an ATM,” says BJP leader Om Prakash Choudhary after the results of the Chhattisgarh assembly elections.

Free food grain, income assistance for farmers, housing for all, 100 percent electrification of villages, and tap water to every home, were listed by the BJP as some of PM Modi's guarantees in Chhattisgarh.

-- BJP has won 42 seats and is leading in 12 others.

-- Congress has won 31 seats and is leading in 4 others.

-- Gondvana Gantantra Party has won one seat; not leading in any other.

In the 2018 Chhattisgarh assembly polls, the Congress had registered a landslide victory largely because of a strong anti-incumbency against the then BJP dispensation and the grand old party's promise of freebies and welfare measures

A weak manifesto of the BJP was also one of the reasons for the crushing defeat of the party in 2018, according to poll analysts. However, the Congress was unable to fulfil all the promises it had made in 2018, which is probably one of the driving factors behind BJP’s lead in the state.

As per the Election Commission, the BJP has won 36 assembly seats and is leading in 18 more. The Congress has won 23 assembly seats and is leading in 12 others.

Ahead of the Chhattisgarh assembly elections, both the Congress and BJP tried hard to woo farmers, women and the poor with populist schemes. It seems the promises made by the BJP, which it promoted as Modi ki Guarantee 2023', worked in its favour as it is all set to return to power in the tribal-dominated state with a thumping majority.

The BJP’s populist manifesto titled ‘Modi ki Guarantee 2023' promised procurement of 21 quintals of paddy per acre at Rs 3,100 per quintal, annual financial assistance of Rs 12,000 to married women under the Mahtari Vandan Yojana', construction of 18 lakh houses under PM Awas Yojna', tendu leaf procurement at Rs 5,500 per standard sack and bonus of Rs 4,500 to leaf collectors and annual assistance of Rs 10,000 to landless farm labourers.

BJP Election In-charge for Chhattisgarh Om Mathur says, "...we exposed the corruption of Bhupesh Baghel...we got people's blessings...no section of the state was happy with Baghel govt... I was confident...they (Congress) only cared about how their family will run, they did not care about the people..."

As per the Election Commission, the BJP has won 28 assembly seats and is leading in 26 more. The Congress has won 17 assembly seats and is leading in 18 others. The Gondvana Gantantra Party (GGP) is leading with a narrow margin of 537 votes from the Pali-Tanakhar constituency.

On BJP's lead in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath says "People have accepted the leadership and the development model of PM Modi...BJP has been successful in getting a huge mandate in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. This shows that people will support BJP and Narendra Modi ji will become the Prime Minister for the third time..."

As per the Election Commission, the BJP has won 18 assembly seats and is leading in 36 more. The Congress has won 13 assembly seats and is leading in 23 others.

Members of the opposition BJP in Jharkhand celebrated the party's performances in the assembly elections in three states, including neighbouring Chhatisgarh.

As the party surged ahead in the early trends in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, BJP workers started gathering at the state headquarters in Ranchi, and when victory became certain in the afternoon in these two states along with Chhatisgarh, celebrations began. The BJP workers distributed sweets, danced to the beats of dhols, and celebrated with firecrackers.

As per the Election Commission, the BJP has won eight assembly seats and is leading in 48 more. The Congress has won five assembly seats and is leading in 29 others.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi tweets, “We humbly accept the mandate of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan. The battle of ideology will continue. I am very thankful to the people of Telangana...”

The BJP on Sunday not only defied exit poll projections but also raced towards its biggest-ever victory in Chhattisgarh, where it has had three terms since the state's formation in 2000. Most exit polls had predicted a close fight between the Congress and the BJP in Chhattisgarh.

-- BJP has won in the following seats: Ramanujganj, Kunkuri, Bilaspur, Beltara, Raipur City North, Jagdalpur

-- Congress has won in the following seats: Rampur, Bijapur

-- BJP wins in Kunkuri constituency, leads in 55 others

-- The winning candidate, Vishnu Deo Sai, got a total of 87,604 votes and won by a margin of 25,541 votes.

-- The Congress has not won in any constituency yet but is leading in 34 seats.

Following clear indications that the Bharatiya Janata Party will form the next government in three out of the four states that went to polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: “We bow to the Janta Janardan. The results in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan indicate that the people of India are firmly with politics of good governance and development, which the BJP stands for.”

“I thank the people of these states for their unwavering support and assure them that we will keep working tirelessly for their well-being. A special thanks to the hardworking Party Karyakartas. Each of them is exemplary! They have worked tirelessly and highlighted our development agenda among the people.”

-- In Chhattisgarh, former chief minister Raman Singh, state BJP president Arun Kumar Sao, leader of opposition Dharamlal Kaushik and former IAS officer OP Chaudhary are seen by political watchers as among the contenders for the top job.

-- Barring Singh, all three leaders come from the Other Backward Classes (OBC).

-- It must be said, though, that the BJP leadership has often surprised observers with its chief ministerial picks in the past.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge tweets “I thank all those who voted for us in Chhattisgarh, MP and Rajasthan. Our performance in these three states have no doubt been disappointing, but with determination, we reaffirm our strong resolve to rebuild and revive ourselves in these three states...We will overcome temporary setbacks and prepare ourselves fully for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections along with the INDIA parties.”

Five former ministers who lost the 2018 Chhattisgarh assembly elections and were re-nominated by the BJP for the polls this time were leading in their respective seats as vote counting was underway on Sunday, according to the Election Commission data.

Bhaiyyalal Rajwade (Baikunthpur), Amar Agrawal (Bilaspur), Rajesh Munat (Raipur City West), Kedar Kashyap (Narayanpur) and Dayaldas Baghel (Nawagarh) were ministers in the previous BJP government in the state. They lost the 2018 assembly polls, but were leading this time against their nearest Congress rivals, as per the latest trends.

“The reason of this phenomenal victory is PM Modi. PM Modi's name and work have impressed people. There's all round development in the country and poverty is being eradicated under his leadership. People trust PM Modi and his guarantees,” says Minister of State for Home Affairs

BJP leaders Smriti Irani, Ravi Shankar Prasad, and Anil Baluni have arrived at the party headquarters in Delhi to celebrate the party’s comfortable lead in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh.

The Bharatiya Janata Party is leading in 55 out of 90 assembly seats in Chhattisgarh. The Congress party is ahead in 32 seats as per trends, informs the Election Commission of India (EC).

As vote tallies reveal BJP edge in Chhattisgarh, party leader Sidharth Nath Singh said no one believed the Bharatiya Janata Party would form a government in this state, but things changed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi using the “guarantee” word.

“In Chhattisgarh, no one believed that the BJP would form the government there. But things changed when we used the PM Modi 'Guarantee' word. Everyone voted one-sidedly in Madhya Pradesh, and today the BJP is forming the government. In Madhya Pradesh, everyone fought the elections together. That's why we are forming our government there too. We can see the same in Rajasthan. I will also say for Telangana that the BJP is going in double digits...”

Commenting on the vote tally, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said the states of Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh will now see faster development, thanks to the benefits of a double-engine government, if BJP comes to power.

Gadkari said, “The people of the country have shown their mood through these elections. We got good success in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. People have supported our schemes. I thank PM Modi. party President JP Nadda, party workers, people of these states. Now development will happen at a faster pace here because a double-engine government will be formed...”

Total leads: 90

BJP: 55
Congress: 32
Others: 3

The (CM) will be decided by the MLAs and the central leadership of the party. Very soon we will form the government in the state, says BJP state unit President Arun Sao.

-Brand Modi still impregnable, Congress unable to make dents in Hindi heartland
-BJP’s core voters and party machinery remain strong in Hindi heartland
3 Voters reject Mandal 2.0 and Caste Survey Idea
4 Tribal surge for BJP
5 Muslim consolidation behind Congress, issues for I.N.D.I.A Alliance

BJP eection Incharge for the state Om Mathur and Co Incharge Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will depart from Delhi for Raipur this afternoon. (

Big win for Brand Modi, a huge boost ahead of 2024 LS elections as BJP on track to sweep Madhya Pradesh, wrest Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh from the Congress.

On the assembly election results, BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said that people’s blessings have always been with the BJP and today it has also been proved that PM Modi’s stature is as high as the Himalayas. “Congress is facing defeat because the party’s intentions are bad,” the BJP leader added.

"Congress has been wiped out and we are proud that we have won the semifinal (ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha polls)," said UP Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya
as trends show BJP leading in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

BJP workers started gathering at the state headquarter as the party is leading against Congress in early trends. The BJP workers are monitoring results on the big screen put up in the auditorium at the headquarter. They are ready to celebrate but still holding their horses for clear mandate.

On behalf of traders across the country, Praveen Khandelwal, Secretary General of Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), termed BJP's victory in the assembly election results today as "Brand Modi" and said that this is a rehearsal of 2024. Khandelwal said that the hope of the traders of the country has become very strong that now there will be huge opportunities for doing business in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and all the traders will make the country's trade and economy stronger as per the vision of PM Modi.

After the fourth round, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel is leading by 164 votes over his BJP rival Vijay Baghel in Patan.

"We are in a good position as per the trends. When the final results are in, we will be getting a thumping majority in all the three states," says BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi as BJP leads in MP, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.

“In the last five years, the Congress destroyed Chhattisgarh. People of Chhattisgarh know that only the BJP can protect the state and that's why they will give their blessings to us,” said state BJP chief Arun Sao as initial trends put the party ahead of its ruling arch-rival.

As of early trends shown by the Election Commission of India at 11.50 am, the Gondvana Gantantra Party (GGP) got its first lead with the Pali Tanakhar seat. Tuleshwar Hira Singh Markam is leading by a margin on 1471 seats over Congress' Duleshwari Sidar. In 2018, the GGP did not win any seats but got 1.73% of vote share.

Deputy Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh T.S Singh Deo who is also the Congress candidate from Ambikapur constituency is leading. He is fighting against Rajesh Agarwal from BJP who is currently trailing.

In contrast to Congress which had an array of state leaders to project like Bhupesh Baghel, TS Singhdeo, Tamradhwaj Sahu, Charandas Mahant, and Mohan Markam, BJP had no recognisable face other than Raman Singh. This is where PM Modi's campaign targetting Baghel and Amit Shah's backstage management of the campaign helped BJP turn the tables on Congress

Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav said, "According to the initial trends, BJP is leading in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh and Congress is forming the government in Telangana. There is a close contest in Chhattisgarh. Therefore, I feel it is too early to say who is winning. The picture will be clear by 1 pm...We hope that Congress will win the elections...''

Former Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh said the BJP high command will take the final call for the CM post as the counting of vote is underway.

Brijmohan Agrawal, a senior BJP leader who has remained undefeated since 1990, securing a staggering seven terms, is currently leading in Raipur City South seat. Congress candidate Mahant Ram Sundar Das is at second spot as per trends.

The Congress led by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel is banking on the welfare schemes. However, the BJP poked holes in the welfare schemes with alleged corruption allegation though no case have been registered. The BJP leaders targeted the Baghel government over the Enforcement Directorate (ED) cases like coal levy, illegal liquor sale and Mahadev app. The BJP also fought on communal issues in Kawardha and Bemetara and conversion issue of tribals to Christianity in Bastar.

Five Chhattisgarh ministers Tamradhwaj Sahu (Durg Rural), Jai Singh Agarwal (Korba), Mohammad Akbar (Kawardha), Kawasi Lakhma (Konta) and Guru Rudra Kumar (Navagarh) are trailing on their respective seats.

Congress in leading in Saja constituency while BJP's Ishwar Sahu is trailing, according to the Election Commission data.

Union minister and BJP leader Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said, "I have been saying from day one that the BJP will get a huge majority. BJP will win in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. This is due to the work done by PM Modi to bring change in the lives of the poor...."

In the Raipur South constituency, Brijmohan Agrawal of the BJP has extended his lead by 1,400 votes.

"The people of Chhattisgarh are going to give their blessings to the BJP. After going all around the state, we formed a belief, and on that basis, I can say that the BJP is going to form its government with a complete majority," said state BJP President Arun Sao.

Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs and Sarguja MP Renuka Singh is trailing in Bharatpur Sonhat seat. Congress candidate Gulab Singh Kamro is leading from the seat.

Congress leader Janak Dhruv is leading from Bindranawagarh by 1,063 votes. BJP's Gowardhan Singh Manjhi is trailing, according to EC.

"BJP will win 3-0 in this assembly elections. The party's 'vijay rath' will come to Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. In Telangana, if not this time, BJP will fly its flag high in the state the next time," said BJP leader Jaiveer Shergill.

As momentum builds up in the state, BJP leader and former CM Raman Singh is hoping for a 'big downfall' for the incumbent Congress.

Congress reclaims lead in the state suggesting this is a state that could swing back and forth. From 47-40 in favour of BJP a while ago, it has swung to 46-42 in favour of Congress

Chhattisgarh BJP Chief Arun Sao said that the Congress “misrule” is going to end and the BJP will comeback to power.

BJP's Dharmjeet Singh is leading in the Takhtpur constituency while Congress' Rashmi Ashish Singh is trailing.

According to early trends by poll panel, BJP is leading from the Narayanpur assembly constituency.

Bhupesh Baghel became the state's second Congress chief minister; the late Ajit Jogi was the first person to hold the top post. Chhattisgarh was carved out of its neighbour, Madhya Pradesh, in November 2000.

The counting of postal ballots has begun in the Bharatpur Sonahat constituency. A total of 124 postal ballots are being counted. Congress candidate Gulab Kamroon is leading in the postal ballot count, while Central Minister and BJP candidate Renuka Singh is trailing.

While Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has said that the Congress will win 75 seats, BJP leaders are confident that the saffron party is coming back to power.

Counting of postal ballots underway at a counting centre in Ambikapur. This assembly seat falls under the General category and is located in Surguja district, serving as one of the eight assembly segments within the Surguja (ST) Parliament Seat.

BJP has snatched the lead from Congress for the first time since counting began. South Chhattisgarh was heavily polarised over religious conversions. Congress failed to take a strong stance while BJP backed to the hilt the sections in the tribal community opposed to conversion.

CM Bhupesh Baghel is leading from his traditional Patan seat where the BJP has fielded his distant nephew and party MP Vijay Baghel. Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) state president and son of former chief minister Ajit Jogi, Amit Jogi is also in fray from Patan.

As visuals come from Congress office in Raipur, the party can be seen hoping for another term in Chhattisgarh. ‘Hain taiyaar hum’, said Congress.

Congress: 41
BJP: 32

Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel took to X and wished all candidates a stroke of good luck. "Today is the day of mandate. Salute to Janata Janardan. Best wishes to all the candidates," Baghel tweeted.

In the Kanker Assembly, Congress is leading in the formation of postal ballots. In the Antagarh Assembly, Congress is leading and so in the Bhanupratappur Assembly seat.

As many as 1,181 candidates are in the fray, including Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Deputy Chief Minister TS Singh Deo (both from Congress) and former CM Raman Singh of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

BJP candidate from Lundra seat Prabodh Minz said that the election process is changing every minute and the candidate and its supporters were stopped at the main gate of the counting centre in Ambikapur.

Congress leader Pawan Khera said, "The results will be better than our hopes and expectations. We are retaining power in both Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. We will reclaim power in Madhya Pradesh and claim power in Telangana."

-Three-time CM Raman Singh remains the frontrunner and the party’s tallest leader in the state

-Vijay Baghel: The distant nephew of incumbent CM Bhupesh Baghel

-Arun Sao is considered to be a potential CM candidate in the event of the BJP victory.

- Kedar Kashyap is the son of senior BJP leader late Baliram Kashyap, who was a four-time MLA and four-time Lok Sabha MP from Bastar.

-Four-time minister Brijmohan Agrawal

- Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Renuka Singh

The female voter turnout has remained in the range of 76-78 percent in the state since 2013. Also, the female turnout ratio exceeded that of males in 28 of the overall 90 Assembly constituencies or 31 per cent of the seats.

Congress candidate from Bhilai, Devendra Singh Yadav, offered prayers at a temple ahead of the counting of votes. “Public has seen the work of the Chief Minister and Congress party in last five years. Voting took place on that basis. Congress will register a grand victory today,” he said.

Another interesting aspect of the state election was the “bit players” who looked to spoil the chances of the bigger parties in several constituencies. From the BSP and the Gondwana Gantantra Party (GGP), which were in an alliance, to the Janta Congress Chhattisgarh-Jogi (JCC-J) and the CPI, how these parties fare will be one to watch out for on Sunday.

Chhattisgarh deputy Chief Minister T S Singh Deo has said he takes exit polls results with a pinch of salt and the Congress will retain power in the state. The party high command’s choice for the chief minister’s post would be acceptable to all, he had said

In Chhattisgarh, the average of seven exit polls put the BJP and the Congress at 42 seats each, but the result turned out to be a surprisingly comfortable win for the Congress, which won 68 seats to oust the ruling BJP, which managed just 15 seats, in the 90-member Assembly.

Two Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were injured after an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by Naxalites exploded in Dantewada district, officials said. The incident occurred on December 2 morning when the security personnel were neutralising the explosive concealed in a Maoist banner found near a bridge on the Indravati river under Barsoor police station limits, a CRPF official said.

The BJP tried to outdo the Congress on the welfare front, placing the top 20 “Modi guarantees” front and centre in its manifesto. But with promises such as loan waiver, better paddy prices, and free education for students up to post-graduation level, the Congress tried to go beyond the scope of the BJP’s promises.

Ahead of the Chhattisgarh Assembly election results, Congress leader Ajay Maken said, "We are completely assured... The Congress will lead the BJP in double digits... It is our analysis that our vote share would be 10 percent more than the BJP."

Counting of votes on EVMs will begin at 8.30 am or as soon as the ballot counting gets over. If the postal ballot counting is delayed the EVM counting would start parallelly. The counting will be done at 36 centres at the headquarters of district election officers in a centralised way. The first indication from the EVMs is expected around 10am when the first round is likely to be completed.

BJP state unit chief Arun Sao said, "The Congress party is scared and nervous. Whenever Congress is about to lose or lose, it blames the EVMs and sometimes it blames the Constitution... Congress party is going to lose the elections. The people of Chhattisgarh have rejected them."

The Kanker district administration will set a unique example of women's empowerment as a complete command of vote counting will be in the hands of women. Women will play roles from supervisor to announcer.

These polls have been billed as the semi-final of the 2024 Lok Sabha election but the last few times, the outcome of state elections and the general elections has been different. These state elections did set the ball rolling for the big one and sent parties back to the drawing board to rework or tweak their strategies

The Election Commission offered vote from home option facility to people above 80 years of age and those with disabilities. Over 6,400 voters availed it, says poll panel.

Most of the Exit Polls indicate a close fight between Congress and BJP.

India Today-Axis My India Exit Poll- BJP: 36-40, Congress: 40-50, Others: 1-5, Total: 90

C-Voter Exit Poll- BJP: 36-38, Congress: 41-53, Others: 00-04

Republic TV- Matrize Exit Poll- Congress: 44-52, BJP: 34-42, Others: 00-02

TV 9 Bharatvarsh- Polstrat Exit Poll- Congress: 40-50 BJP: 35-45 Others: 0-3

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stones of several projects worth over Rs 26,000 crore, including the NMDC's steel plant, at Jagdalpur city in the state.

The BJP has levelled corruption allegations against the Congress-led Chhattisgarh government. The party repeatedly took potshots at Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel over the Mahadev betting app case.

The BJP’s manifesto “Modi Ki Guarantee” has promised citizens a visit to the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Its poll sops also include Rs 1.5 lakh to girls born into below-poverty line families, filling of 1 lakh vacant government posts in two years and Rs 10,000 to landless farm labourers.

The assembly elections are crucial for the BJP as it seeks to regain prominence in the state. Despite initial success after the state's formation in 2000, the BJP faces the challenge of reclaiming lost ground against a resurgent Congress.

The Congress, which was voted to power in 2018 after 15 years of BJP rule, has promised a caste census to counter the BJP’s Hindutva push. The BJP has accused the party of appeasement politics and anti-Hindu bias.

Corruption allegations, particularly in state job recruitment, have taken center stage in the elections. The BJP accused the Baghel government of favoritism, targeting both Congress associates and businessmen. The Mahadev betting app scandal, allegedly linked to the ruling party, has also emerged as a significant election issue.

Bhupesh Baghel's track record of five consecutive wins from Patan since 1993, coupled with his pro-farmer policies and effective management of the Covid-19 crisis, has solidified his position as a strong contender. However, Vijay Baghel's popularity in the Durg region and his appeal among the youth make him a formidable opponent.

In every counting hall, there will be 14 tables arranged in rows of seven, except for Pandaria, Kawardha, Sarangarh, Bilaigarh, Kasdol and Bharatpur-Sonhat Assembly seats where 21 tables will be arranged, said Chhattisgarh CEO