Assembly Elections 2023: Anand Mahindra, Harsh Goenka react to election results

Counting of votes is well underway for assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Telangana - with the BJP poised to win in all three heartland states. In Mizoram, the counting will take place tomorrow. These assembly elections are being seen as a semi-final contest ahead of the general elections in less than six months.

The Congress, which is in power in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, and the BJP, which is ruling Madhya Pradesh, are locked in a straight fight in these three states, while K Chandrashekhar Rao-led Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) is hoping for a hat-trick in Telangana.

Anticipation is at an all-time high for citizens and party workers as the counting of votes began at 8 am. Security at the counting centres has also been stepped up.

As the BJP headed towards a comfortable victory in three states, industrialist Harsh Goenka reacted
Shortly before 1 pm, the Congress conducted a roadshow in Hyderabad as the party continued its comfortable lead in Telangana - leading in 65 of the state's 119 seats.

By 12.30 pm, the BJP was comfortably in the lead in Madhya Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan received a rose from Radha Bai, who looks after the gardens at the CM's residence.
At around 12 pm, the CM camp office in Hyderabad, Telangana, wore a deserted look as the ruling BRS trailed in the state election. Congress is leading in 68 of Telangana's 119 seats.

By 11:30 am, BJP workers at the party office in Jaipur were filmed dancing as the party continued to lead in Rajasthan
By 11 am, flowers were being strung at the BJP office in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, as trends showed the party leading in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

Anand Mahindra is today glued to his TV screen as the counting of votes began at 8 am. For Mahindra -- a sports buff who also enjoys watching movies -- "democracy in action" is far more gripping than either pastime.
With early trends showing the Congress leading in Chhattisgarh, party workers began celebrating with a live fish - considered auspicious by many.

Luxury buses were seen parked outside the five-star Taj hotel in Hyderabad, Telangana, news agency ANI reported.
BJP MP Diya Kumari visited the Govind Devji temple in Jaipur, Rajasthan to offer prayers.

BJP workers were seen keeping an eye on early trends of postal ballots as counting of votes began. Similar scenes witnessed at the Congress Control Room in Chhattisgarh

At the counting centre in Morena, Madhya Pradesh, an EVM strong room was secured by a brick wall. The wall was broken as counting began.
Chhattisgarh incumbent chief minister Bhupesh Baghel called it the day of the people's mandate.

Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh predicted a comfortable victory for the party in Madhya Pradesh.
In the national capital of Delhi, Congress leaders and workers held a pooja ceremony at party headquarters on Sunday morning. A video shared by news agency PTI shows party workers gathered together for the pooja.

Shortly before the counting of votes for the assembly election in four states is set to begin, a Congress worker showed up at the party’s Delhi headquarters dressed as Lord Hanuman.

The party worker dressed as Lord Hanuman was asked by ANI what he thinks will happen today. “The truth will triumph. Jai Shree Ram,” he chanted in response.
Earlier in the morning, firecrackers were burst at the Congress headquarters. Laddoos were also delivered in anticipatory celebrations.