Results of 5-State Assembly Elections 2018 to be Declared Today, Stakes High Ahead of 2019 Finale

New Delhi, December 11: Results of the bitterly contested assembly elections 2018, held between November 12 to December 7 in the five states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram will be declared today. Stakes are high as the poll battle is considered to be the semi-final ahead of the Lok Sabha elections next year.

Out of the five states which went to polls, three -- which are part of the Hindi heartland -- are currently held by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), whereas, two others -- Telangana in the South and Mizoram in the North East, are being held by the TRS and the Congress respectively. BJP, Congress, Others in Hectic Parleys Ahead of Assembly Elections 2018 Results.

The exit polls painted a mixed picture, with an aggregate of 9 post-election surveys predicting a photo-frame finish in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, with the BJP holding a grim edge. In Rajasthan, the Congress was expected to sail over with a clear mandate.

Rajasthan: Will Pilot Wrest the Driver's Seat From Raje?

In Rajasthan, surveys before and after the elections have claimed a strong anti-incumbency wave against the Vasundhara Raje-led BJP government. On the other hand, the pollsters have sensed a momentum in favour of Congress state unit chief Sachin Pilot, with majority of survey participants wanting him as the next Chief Minister of the state.

An aggregate of nine exit polls predicted the Congress to win 110 constituencies, whereas, the BJP is likely to be restricted to 78. The speculated return to power for the Congress comes fives years after the Ashok Gehlot-led government was booted out by Rajasthan in favour of Raje. The grand old party was then restricted to 21 constituencies, whereas, the BJP had its MLAs elected in 163 seats.

Chhattisgarh: End of Raman Singh's 15-Year Tenure?

The exit polls had predicted a fractured mandate, with the aggregate of nine major surveys finding the BJP to win 42 seats, whereas, the Congress would be restricted to 41. The Ajit Jogi-Mayawati alliance is predicted to play the role of kingmaker, with 4-7 legislators-elect.

Madhya Pradesh: A Major Heartland to Fall?

Madhya Pradesh will be first among the major Hindi heartland states to fall for the BJP, if some of the exit polls turn out to be accurate. The ABP News-CSDS, along with Today's Chanakya, had predicted a clear mandate for the Congress. The party was expected to win between 125-135 seats -- way above the halfway majority mark of 115.

Telangana: KCR's Early Polls Gambit to Payoff?

If the post-election surveys are to be believed, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi is expected to hold onto power in the southern state formed four years ago. Barring one, all major exit polls had predicted the party to return to power. The BJP on Sunday sent feelers to Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, offering to support his party in case of a hung verdict -- only if he abrogates ties with the AIMIM. The TRS has turned down the offer, claiming that they would be elected with a brute mandate.

Mizoram: Congress to Lose Final Mark in the North East?

The exit polls have predicted a fractured mandate, with the ruling Congress being reduced to 8-12 MLAs in the 40-member assembly, whereas, the Mizo National Front winning 12-16 seats -- well short of the majority mark. Other parties, including Independents, are likely to play the role of kingmaker.

The results of the five-state elections will set the ball rolling for finale` in April-May next year. A win for the Congress in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh is likely to turn the Rahul Gandhi-led party a galvanising point for the Opposition.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 10, 2018 09:47 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).