Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], December 14: Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and Congress Rajya Sabha MP, Digvijaya Singh, announced on Thursday that the decision regarding the leader of the legislative party in the state will be made by the party’s central leaders. This statement came following a meeting at the party office in Bhopal, where Singh addressed reporters.

Singh explained, “All our MLAs have left it to our central leaders to decide the leader of the legislative party. Congress (central) leaders Randeep Surjewala and Jitendra Singh will sit down individually with all our MLAs (before deciding on the leader of the legislative party).”

The Congress legislature party meeting was conducted under the supervision of AICC (All India Congress Committee) special observers Jitendra Singh and Randeep Surjewala. Ahead of the meeting, Surjewala stated, “AICC special observer Jitendra Singh and I have come here for the legislature party meeting. We will hold discussions with all our colleagues (Congress MLAs).”

Notably, the state’s former Chief Minister and Congress’s state chief, Kamal Nath, was absent from the meeting. Senior Congress leader Ajay Singh mentioned that the unanimous decision to have the high command pick the leader of the legislative party in the state was reached at the meeting.

Regarding Nath’s absence, Congress MLA Omkar Singh Markam explained, “Nath had a pre-scheduled meeting because of which he couldn’t attend today’s meeting.” He further noted that the meeting primarily focused on discussions about the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

On Wednesday, Mohan Yadav was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, and he assumed charge later in the day. Governor Mangubhai C. Patel administered the oath of office, and BJP leaders Jagdish Devda and Rajendra Shukla also took oath as deputy chief ministers.

Madhya Pradesh underwent assembly elections on November 17, and the results were declared on December 3. Despite close to 18 years of incumbency, the BJP secured a resounding mandate by winning 163 seats, while the Congress finished as a distant second with 66 seats.

The Washington Post, a prominent US daily, published an in-depth article applauding the BJP’s remarkable poll wins in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan, describing the mandates as ‘crucial.’ The report highlighted the pivotal nature of the elections, setting India’s opposition against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling party in anticipation of the upcoming national vote.

International media outlets echoed the sentiment that the triumphs in these three states would bolster PM Modi’s chances of achieving a hat-trick of electoral victories and securing a third consecutive term in the country’s highest office. Al Jazeera ran a headline stating, “India’s BJP wins three of four state polls months before the national election,” characterizing the BJP’s victories as ‘historic and unprecedented.’

The UK-based news agency Reuters characterized the poll wins as a ‘big boost’ for PM Modi leading up to the general elections next year, titling their story, “In boost for Modi, BJP sweeps polls in three Indian states.” The report emphasized that the election results provided insight into the voter mood ahead of the national elections in May, where Modi aims for a third consecutive term.

Describing the electoral outcome as a ‘saffron tsunami’ in the Hindi heartland, the BJP’s stunning victories in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan surprised not only their rivals but also pollsters who had predicted closely contested races in these states. The election results, particularly the losses in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, dealt a significant blow to the Congress’s aspirations for 2024, leaving it out of power across a substantial portion of the Hindi heartland.

In Rajasthan, the BJP emerged victorious with 115 seats, contrasting with some pollsters’ predictions, while the Congress trailed with 69 seats. In Chhattisgarh, out of the 90 assembly constituencies, the BJP secured 54 seats, with the Congress winning 35. The counting for Mizoram is scheduled for Monday, where the BJP’s regional ally, the Mizo National Front, is the incumbent. The assembly elections in these five states, with over 160 million registered voters, constituted a significant political event in India.

Post the meeting, Congress leader DK Shivakuamar stated that all the newly elected MLAs have authorized Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to appoint the Congress legislature party leader,
“All the members of the newly elected Congress party unanimously resolved to authorise Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge to appoint the Congress legislature party leader. All have decided that whatever the high command decides, we will go by that”, said Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

Shivakumar also thanked the people of Telangana for voting in large number in the favour of Congress. “We thank the people of the state for allowing us to form our government here”, he said.

Meanwhile, Congress leader and former member of Rajya Sabha V Hanumantha Rao predicted that Revanth reddy could be the next Chief Minister of Telangana.
When asked about the potential Chief Ministerial face in Telangana, Congress leader V. Hanumantha Rao said, “We will have to see what is decided in the CLP meeting. Most probably, Revanth Reddy has chances to become the Chief Minister going by all the work he did.”

Former state minister Konda Surekha also batted for the state Congress Chief Revanth Reddy as the Chief Minister. “Congress party is going to form the government in the state and the TPCC president A Revanth Reddy is going to take the Chief Minister post with the high command blessing,” Konda Surekha told.

Whereas, Congress leader Komatireddy Venkat Reddy revealed that the party would rely on the high command choosing the Chief Minister of Telangana,

“High command will take opinions of MLAs in CLP meeting and we will support whatever the decision will be”, Congress leader Komatireddy Venkat Reddy said while speaking to ANI.
After a sweeping victory in Karnataka, Congress’ guarantees in Telangana have proved to be a game changer for the party in Telangana, India’s youngest state. The Congress scored a massive victory in Telangana by bagging 64 seats in the 119-member Assembly state.

During the all-party meeting of the INDIA bloc, opposition leaders decided to address the alleged premature leak of the ethics committee report to the media before its presentation in parliament. The INDIA bloc’s parliamentary party leaders gathered at the office of the Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, ahead of the Winter Session commencement on Monday.

TMC MP Mahua Moitra raised concerns about a breach of parliamentary rules following a media report revealing Ethics Committee findings. The winter session is anticipated to be contentious, with the Ethics Committee’s report on cash-for-query allegations against TMC MP Mahua Moitra scheduled for presentation. Opposition parties are also poised to resist certain government bills, including the one regulating appointments for the Chief Election Commission and Other Election Commissioners.

In efforts to ensure smooth proceedings, the government conducted an all-party meeting on Saturday, presided over by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The session, with 15 sittings between December 4 and December 22, will see discussions on 21 bills, including those replacing the IPC, the Indian Evidence Act, and the CrPC. Congress members intend to bring forth issues concerning the public and are demanding a discussion on the Ethics Committee report regarding allegations against TMC MP Mahua Moitra.

PM Modi mentioned that the country has rejected negativity and urged the opposition to learn from defeat rather than venting anger. He emphasized the significance of Parliament as the temple of democracy, essential for public aspirations and the foundation of a developed India.

Referring to the recent assembly poll results as “encouraging,” PM Modi highlighted the mandate in favor of good governance and public welfare. He described the election outcomes in the Hindi heartland as a BJP tsunami, with significant victories in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan, surprising rivals and some pollsters.

The results, particularly the losses in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, dealt a blow to Congress’s aspirations for 2024, as it is now out of power across a substantial portion of the Hindi heartland. In Rajasthan, the BJP is poised to form the government with 115 seats, while the Congress trails with 69 seats. In Chhattisgarh, the BJP secured 54 seats out of 90, with the Congress winning 35.

Lalduhoma, the ZPM’s chief ministerial candidate, is leading in the Serchhip constituency with 1390 votes, according to the latest data from the Election Commission of India. The counting of votes for the 40-member Mizoram assembly started at 8 a.m. across 13 centers and 40 counting halls in the state. There are 399 EVM tables and 56 postal ballot tables in use, with nearly 4000 personnel involved in the counting process, as reported by the state election commission.

Originally scheduled for December 3, the counting in Mizoram was postponed to Monday following representations to the Election Commission, citing the religious significance of Sunday in the Christian-majority state. Four major contenders in the election are the ruling MNF, ZPM, Congress, and BJP.

Mizoram’s political landscape has been traditionally dominated by the Congress and MNF since gaining statehood in 1987. Zoramthanga, the President of the MNF and Chief Minister, is a prominent figure in this election. The ZPM, positioning itself as the primary challenger, has nominated Lalthansanga, their party vice president, against the three-time Chief Minister.

Elections were held on November 7, with Central Armed Police Forces deployed in the innermost cordon and state police in the outer cordon for security. Deputy Commissioner Nazuk Kumar assured that the counting process is peaceful and well-prepared for any victory procession or celebrations.

Follow all the election related live updates here:

9:45 AM: BJP takes big lead over Congress in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. BJP and Congress neck-and-neck in Chhattisgarh. Congress ahead in Telangana, BRS trails.

9:10 AM: BJP leading in 116 seats out of 230 in Madhya Pradesh, Congress in 111. BJP and Congress neck-and-neck in Rajasthan while Congress takes massive lead in Chhattisgarh and Telangana.

8:45 AM: It’s a close contest in Rajasthan while the BJP is leading in Madhya Pradesh. The Congress is ahead in Telangana and Chhattisgarh.

8 AM: Postal ballots have been opened and the first trends will pour in soon.

The Congress is in power in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is ruling Madhya Pradesh and Telangana has Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in the chair.

According to the counting schedule, postal ballots will be opened first at 8 AM. Madhya Pradesh has 230 seats, Rajasthan 200 but counting will take p[lace for 199 as the candidate in one of the seats died.. There are 90 seats in Chhattisgarh and Telangana has 119.

Madhya Pradesh: The counting for 230 assembly seats will be held at 52 district headquarters. There are 2,533 candidates in the fray. A total of 47 seats are reserved for Scheduled Tribes and 35 for Scheduled Castes. The main contest is between the ruling BJP and Congress.

Rajasthan: Counting of votes will be carried out at 36 centres in the state. There are more than 1800 candidates in 199 seats. The state has a tradition of choosing Congress and BJP alternately in every Assembly election.

Chhattisgarh: There are 1,181 candidates in the 90 seats of the state.

Telangana: The southern state saw 2,290 contestants in the 119 seats. While BRS contested all the seats, the Congress gave one seat to its ally Communist party of India (CPI). The BJP and Janasena contested 111 and 8 seats respectively and the Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM has put up candidates in nine segments in Hyderabad.

In alignment with the women’s empowerment initiatives spearheaded by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s government, female members in the assembly will be accorded priority in speaking during the session. The directive also explicitly prohibits leaders from carrying flags or banners inside the legislative chamber.

A recent development under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s administration is the launch of the ‘Hot Cooked Meal Scheme’ for children aged 3 to 6 years in Anganwadi centers across the state. The scheme entails providing 70 grams of food grains per beneficiary per day in the form of freshly cooked meals at co-located Anganwadi centers.

The Department of Basic Education has issued guidelines for the implementation of the ‘Hot Cooked Meal Scheme,’ emphasizing collaboration between workers and helpers of co-located Anganwadi centers, as well as the kitchens of primary and upper primary schools. The aim is to jointly prepare mid-day meals and hot-cooked food for children.

Vijay Kiran Anand, the Director of Midday Meal and Director General of School Education, has provided directives to all Basic Education Officers. The guidelines outline that the Department of Child Development Services and Nutrition will ensure the provision of food grains and other necessary ingredients for preparing hot cooked food at co-located Anganwadi centers.

The decision regarding the affiliation of Anganwadi centers will be determined by the respective District Magistrate, specifying which school’s kitchen within a 200-meter radius of primary and upper primary schools will be responsible for preparing food for the center. Anganwadi workers will assist cooks in the collaborative preparation and distribution of hot-cooked food to the children.