On December 11, Tuesday, counting of votes started. Though in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Telangana and Mizoram, by afternoon, it became clear which party will form the government in the respective states, but in Hindi heartland Madhya Pradesh, it was a neck-to-neck fight and the ‘Kaun Banega CM'(Who will be the CM) suspense got over after almost 24 hours. Soon after the results, the Bahujan Samaj Party Chief Mayawati announced its support to the Congress, helping Congress reach the magic number of 116. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan tendered his resignation to the Anandiben Patel, Governor of MP. He declared that the BJP would not stake claim to form the government in the state as it did not have the numbers.

Being referred as the precursor of the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the Five state assembly results reflected Congress in a different light, who managed to lead three of the five states – Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh. However, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) recorded a landslide win for a second consecutive term, and in the Northen state, the Mizo National Front (MNF) scripted a glorious victory routing the Congress who was in power for two consecutive terms in the state.

However, the “resurgent Congress” has credited its victory to “farmers, party workers, shopkeepers and small businessmen”. Rahul Gandhi who became the Congress party president precisely a year ago appreciated the party workers for the performance. He said, “It’s now time for a change. We are going to provide these three states with a vision for overall development”. Expressing his disappointment on the Telangana polls, he added that they would have liked to do better there, as reported by the Live Mint.

Meanwhile, Congress leaders led by Kamal Nath, Digvijay Singh and Jyotiraditya Scindia met MP Governor Anandiben on Wednesday to stake claims on government formation, after Chouhan’s resignation.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan: We did not get majority, will not stake claim to form Government, I am going to tender my resignation to the Governor. #MadhyaPradeshElections2018 pic.twitter.com/W78Wbh23eh

— ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2018

Mayawati became the kingmaker in Madhya Pradesh

Election Commission website gave the final update on the Madhya Pradesh result by 11 am in the morning on Wednesday. The nation’s excitement was a notch up as both the national party were in a close fight, with Congress just a few numbers behind the required 116 figure. The drama continued till night on Tuesday and the Congress party president in MP, Kamal Nath alleged that the Bhartiya Janta party is not letting the Election Commission (EC) declare the election results, as reported by News 18.

The storm of political slugfest ended when BSP Chief Mayawati extended her support to the Congress. The BSP Chief claimed that the party is extending its support to the Congress as it does not want to see the BJP winning the polls. She said, “To keep the BJP out of power, we have agreed to support Congress in Madhya Pradesh and if need be in Rajasthan, even though we don’t agree with many of their policies.” Meanwhile, the Samajwadi Party (SP) also extended its support to the Congress. After BSP’s two seats and SP’s support of one seat, Congress has managed to get 117 seats; 116 of its own and rest by outside support.

The BSP’s shoulder to the Congress came as a little surprise as BSP earlier in November this year had said that they would not lend their support to Congress at any cost. According to The Times Of India, the party chief said, “There is no question of thinking about taking or giving support when we are confident of getting an absolute majority. However, suppose there is such a situation where we don’t get a majority, we will prefer sitting in opposition but will not support BJP or Congress.”

The election commision is capable of talking

The MP election has also raised several questions on the Election Commission’s working. Earlier this year, the EC had claimed that it is capable of holding the Lok Sabha election along with the four state assemblies together in December if the parliamentary elections are advanced, said the Chief Election Commissnor, as reported by The Times Of India.

However, during the time of the MP election, there were several complaints of EVM malfunctioning. The Congress had also alleged security lapses at a few polling sites. On December 11, after polling ended in MP, Congress’s part chief, Kamal Nath also held a press conference alleging foul play in MP elections.

Former CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan showed grace and said he accepts the people’s mandate. Prime Minister Modi also thanked voters of the three states for allowing them the chance to serve.

We accept the people’s mandate with humility.

I thank the people of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan for giving us the opportunity to serve these states. The BJP Governments in these states worked tirelessly for the welfare of the people.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 11, 2018

Also Read: Over 22 Lakh Voters’ Names Missing From Telangana Voter List; Chief Election Officer Says, “I Am Sorry”