Election results 2018 Updates: Bhupesh Baghel to take oath as Chhattisgarh CM tomorrow

By Anuj Cariappa

Updated: Sunday, December 16, 2018, 14:57 [IST]

New Delhi, Dec 16: Bhupesh Baghel was appointed as the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Congress today announced. "Celebrations are in order in Chhattisgarh as @Bhupesh_Baghel is appointed CM. We wish him the best as he forms a govt. of equality, transparency & integrity starting off with farm loan waiver for farmers as we promised," the party posted on their official Twitter account along with an image of the state Congress chief , Bhupesh Baghel.

The Congress on Friday named Ashok Gehlot as the Rajasthan's next chief minister and Sachin Pilot his deputy after party president Rahul Gandhi brokered peace between the veteran leader and his younger colleague over several rounds of discussions lasting more than two days.

Find out more here as we bring you all the updates:

Dec 16, 2018, 2:57 PM IST

All India Congress Committee's observer for Chhattisgarh, Mallikarjun Kharge: Oath ceremony will be held in Raipur tomorrow for only the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister. Decision on rest of the cabinet will be taken later

All India Congress Committee's observer for Chhattisgarh, Mallikarjun Kharge: Oath ceremony will be held in Raipur tomorrow for only the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister. Decision on rest of the cabinet will be taken later pic.twitter.com/k2uy2UsCBi
— ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2018

Dec 16, 2018, 2:38 PM IST

Congress made the announcement on Twitter saying: "Celebrations are in order in Chhattisgarh as @Bhupesh_Baghel is appointed CM. We wish him the best as he forms a govt. of equality, transparency & integrity starting off with farm loan waiver for farmers as we promised."

Dec 16, 2018, 2:37 PM IST

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister designate Bhupesh Baghel with Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and PL Punia in Raipur

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister designate Bhupesh Baghel with Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and PL Punia in Raipur pic.twitter.com/Des7A6fhFZ
— ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2018

Dec 16, 2018, 2:11 PM IST

Bhupesh Baghel appointed as Chhattisgarh CM

Dec 16, 2018, 1:37 PM IST

As the Congress swept the Naxal-affected Chhattisgarh, party favourites was appointed as Chhattisgarh Chief Minister.

Dec 16, 2018, 1:21 PM IST

Congress Legislature Party meeting begins in Raipur

Chhattisgarh: Visuals from the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting in Raipur. pic.twitter.com/LdQTLog6nt
— ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2018

Dec 16, 2018, 1:02 PM IST

Congress leader TS Singh Deo arrives in Raipur, from Delhi.

Chhattisgarh: Congress leader TS Singh Deo arrives in Raipur, from Delhi. pic.twitter.com/GBu6Zrjhiu
— ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2018

Dec 16, 2018, 9:23 AM IST

T S Singh Deo on being asked if he'll be announced as#Chhattisgarh Chief Minister: 'Aap Chhattisgarh ki government mein Chhattisgarh ke liye kaam karne wale ek saathi se baat kar rahe hain. 12:30 baje vidhayak dal ki baithak hai, tab CM ka naam announce ho jayega.'

Dec 16, 2018, 8:37 AM IST

Bhupesh Baghel arrives in Raipur from Delhi, says "Mallikarjun Kharge ji and PL Punia ji are arriving here later today. Name (of the CM) will be announced at the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting."

Dec 16, 2018, 8:25 AM IST

Chhattisgarh chief minister to be announced tomorrow. CLP meeting to held at 12pm.

Dec 16, 2018, 8:25 AM IST

Chhattisgarh Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel, who is said to be a key player behind the party’s impressive win in the state’s assembly elections, will likely be picked as the new chief minister, as quoted by Hindustan Times.

Dec 15, 2018, 11:17 PM IST

Congress leaders Bhupesh Baghel, Charan Das Mahant, Tamradhwaj Sahu, PL Punia, Mallikarjun Kharge, TS Singh Deo will leave for Raipur from Delhi tomorrow morning. The decision on Chhattisgarh CM candidate will be taken tomorrow after a meeting at 12 pm, reported ANI.

Dec 15, 2018, 10:07 PM IST

Sachin Pilot will also be sworn in as the state’s deputy chief minister at the 10 am ceremony to be held on the grounds of Albert Hall Museum, an iconic 19th century building. The guest list is headed by Congress president Rahul Gandhi and includes former prime minister Manmohan Singh. Senior party leader Mallikarjun Kharge is also likely to be there. Others expected at the ceremony include Janata Dal (Secular) chief and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, Loktantrik Janata Dal leader Sharad Yadav, National Conference’s Farooq Abdullah and Telugu Desam Party’s N Chandrababu Naidu. Rashtriya Janata Dal’s Tejashwi Yadav, DMK’s M K Stalin and Kanimozhi, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha’s Hemant Soren, Janata Vikas Morcha’s Babulal Marandi and All India United Democratic Front leader Badruddin Ajmal are also likely to participate, Congress sources said.

Dec 15, 2018, 10:06 PM IST

Leaders from several non-BJP parties, which figure in opposition unity attempts ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha elections, are expected at the swearing in of Ashok Gehlot as Rajasthan chief minister in Jaipur on December 17.

Dec 15, 2018, 9:15 PM IST

A meeting will be held at 12 pm tomorrow. We will then make the announcement (regarding Chhattisgarh CM). The Governor has given us time of 4:30 pm on December 17 for the oath-taking ceremony. So what’s the hurry, says Chhattisgarh Congress in-charge PL Punia, reports ANI.

Dec 15, 2018, 9:12 PM IST

Bhupesh Baghel, TS Singh Deo, Tamradhwaj Sahu and Charan Das Mahant, who are with Rahul in the picture, are said to be in the running for Chhattisgarh’s top post. Congress won the state with a thumping majority in the December 11 results.

Dec 15, 2018, 9:12 PM IST

After several rounds of discussions, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday signalled the party had ended the impasse on who should be the next chief minister of Chhattisgarh.

Dec 15, 2018, 9:12 PM IST

Rahul Gandhi tweet

No matter how brilliant your mind or strategy, if you’re playing a solo game, you’ll always lose out to a team.

– Reid Hoffman pic.twitter.com/TL5rPwiCDX
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 15, 2018

Dec 15, 2018, 5:57 PM IST

Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia mobbed by supporters outside his residence in Delhi

#WATCH: Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia mobbed by supporters outside his residence in Delhi pic.twitter.com/qZUfpfqTcl
— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2018

Dec 15, 2018, 5:03 PM IST

A meeting will be held at 12 pm tomorrow. Then we will inform (Chief Minister candidate for Chhattisgarh). Governor has given us the time of 4:30 pm on December 17 for the oath ceremony. So what's the hurry?: Chhattisgarh Congress State in-charge, PL Punia

Dec 15, 2018, 1:09 PM IST

Congress workers and leaders gather outside T S Singh Deo's residence in Raipur. Chief Minister to be announced later today.

Dec 15, 2018, 10:10 AM IST

TS Singh Deo, Chhattisdarh Congress leader, says, "We have more than 1 eligible name that is why process is taking time, in any case final result came late on 11th so it has just been 4 days today. BJP which took more than 7-8 days to appoint its recent CMs should not comment on us."

Dec 14, 2018, 8:37 PM IST

"We would like to thank the public and our workers. Oath ceremony of Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister will take place on December 17 and then the cabinet will be inducted," says Ashok Gehlot.

Dec 14, 2018, 8:36 PM IST

Ashok Gehlot meets Governor:

Rajasthan: CM designate Ashok Gehlot and Deputy CM designate Sachin Pilot meet Governor Kalyan Singh at the Governor's House in Jaipur. pic.twitter.com/VnDaPUamS7
— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2018

Dec 14, 2018, 7:11 PM IST

Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot address joint press conference in Jaipur.

Dec 14, 2018, 6:52 PM IST

Gehlot and Pilot reach Jaipur.

Rajasthan: CM designate Ashok Gehlot and Deputy CM designate Sachin Pilot arrive in Jaipur. pic.twitter.com/CUVYMFqbCe
— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2018

Dec 14, 2018, 5:47 PM IST

Rajasthan Congress MLAs to meet at Clarks Hotel, Ajmer this evening, post which the delegation will head to the Governor's house at 7:30 PM

Dec 14, 2018, 4:18 PM IST

KC Venugopal, All India Congress Committee observer for Rajasthan: Congress President Rahul Gandhi has decided to appoint Ashok Gehlot Ji as the Chief Minister of Rajasthan. Sachin Pilot will be the Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan

Dec 14, 2018, 4:13 PM IST

Ashok Gehlot appointed CM and Sachin Pilot Deputy CM of Rajasthan

Dec 14, 2018, 4:09 PM IST

Congress leader Sachin Pilot reaches All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in Delhi. Abhishek Manu Singhvi also present

Dec 11, 2018, 4:50 am IST

Counting of votes will get underway shortly. It is no doubt a high stake battle and would be interesting to see who will emerge victorious.

Dec 11, 2018, 4:52 am IST

Mizoram could vote out the Congress, but the verdict appears to be a hung one as per exit polls. The MNF is likely to emerge as the single largest party.

Dec 11, 2018, 4:56 am IST

A hung verdict in Chhattisgarh will make the Ajit Jogi-Mayawati group kingmakers.

Dec 11, 2018, 4:56 am IST

The Chief Electoral Officer has said that there will be no webcasting during the counting of votes. He has also directed that Wifi will not be used in the counting hall and CCTV cameras will be installed.

Dec 11, 2018, 6:09 am IST

Counting of votes to get underway shortly. The process would begin with the counting of the postal votes.

Dec 11, 2018, 6:27 am IST

For the Congress, the elections at Madhya Pradesh would be a make or break one. The party is in with a good chance. However Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who is seeking a fourth term has said that the victory would be that of the BJP’s.

Dec 11, 2018, 6:29 am IST

In Rajasthan, the Congress eyes an opportunity. Rajasthan has had a revolving door policy and if that trend continues, then the Congress would claim power. In case of a win, it would be interesting to see, if Sachin Pilot or Ashok Gehlot would be made CM.

Dec 11, 2018, 6:33 am IST

In Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal City SP from outside Old Central Jail counting centre said,''Dedicated teams deployed to ensure full security. Diversion points put on roads outside centres. There's a 3-tier security system. Any device that can help communication isn't allowed inside.''

Dec 11, 2018, 6:47 am IST

The magic number for Madhya Pradesh is 116. In Rajasthan it is 100 while in Chattisgarh it is 46. In Telangana the magic number is 60 and in Mizoram it is 21.

Dec 11, 2018, 6:51 am IST

In Chhattisgarh, tight security arrangements have been made at the counting centres in all 27 districts, particularly the Naxal-affected ones, where voting was held in two phases on November 12 and 20 to elect a new 90-member Assembly. The state had recorded 76.60 per cent voter turnout.

Dec 11, 2018, 7:21 am IST

Visuals from outside a counting centre in Aizawl. Counting of votes for Mizoram Assembly Elections2018 will start at 8 am today.

Visuals from outside a counting centre in Aizawl. Counting of votes for #MizoramAssemblyElections2018 will start at 8 am today. pic.twitter.com/BB2jxdz0mI
— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2018

Dec 11, 2018, 7:31 am IST

Election Commission has set up robust, fool proof and secured infrastructure facility for disseminating Trends and Results of General Elections of 5 Assemblies through its popular website eciresults.nic.in, which will start functioning from 8.00 AM on 11th December, 2018 and will show trends update continuously.

Dec 11, 2018, 8:00 am IST

Counting of votes for the 5 state assemblies have begun. Currently the postal votes are being counted.

Dec 11, 2018, 8:02 am IST

In Madhya Pradesh, Jyotiraditya Scindia says no more rifts in Congress

Dec 11, 2018, 8:04 am IST

The Chief Electoral Officer on Monday directed that there will be no webcasting during the counting of votes. He has also directed that Wifi will not be used in the counting hall and CCTV cameras will be installed.

Dec 11, 2018, 8:05 am IST

Telangana: AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi has arrived at Darussalam in Hyderabad ahead of vote counting. He had earlier claimed that people of Hyderabad and Telangana have accepted that Modi, Amit Shah, Chandrababu Naidu and Rahul Gandhi have all "ganged up against Asaduddin Owaisi".

Dec 11, 2018, 8:09 am IST

Over 8,500 candidates were in fray in polls for these assemblies and their electoral fate is current sealed in over 1.74 lakh EVMs

Dec 11, 2018, 8:13 am IST

Rajasthan: Vasundhara Raje leaves for Tripura Sundari temple before counting of votes

Dec 11, 2018, 8:17 am IST

Secretary in-charge of Congress affairs in Karnataka K C Venugopala KC Venugopal claims he has been sent by party leadership in Delhi as observer for Jaipur results. He is taking 9:50 am flight from Delhi. General secy incharge of Rajasthan Avinash Pandey is said to accompany him.

Dec 11, 2018, 8:18 am IST

Rajasthan: Congress's Banswara candidate Arjun Singh Bamaniya has arrived at the temple of Tripura Sundari to pray for his success. Other leaders are also engaged in rituals to pray for the best.

Dec 11, 2018, 8:18 am IST

Rajasthan: Congress's Banswara candidate Arjun Singh Bamaniya has arrived at the temple of Tripura Sundari to pray for his success. Other leaders are also engaged in rituals to pray for the best.

Dec 11, 2018, 8:20 am IST

As the counting of votes begins, Congress workers perform 'hawan' outside Rahul Gandhi's residence in Delhi

Congress workers perform 'hawan' outside Rahul Gandhi's residence in Delhi #AssemblyElections2018 pic.twitter.com/zkuKfW9T2T
— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2018

Dec 11, 2018, 8:23 am IST

Chhattisgarh: Congress is leading in Bastar district. Despite the rebels’ threat, voters in Naxal-hit Bastar constituency in Chhattisgarh exercised their franchise at large.

Dec 11, 2018, 8:30 am IST

Counting of votes for the assembly elections is likely to be delayed due to cross-verification with voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) units.

Dec 11, 2018, 8:33 am IST

Ahead of counting, the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) IT cell head Amit Malviya says,'We are confident of a victory because we have worked hard in the states. Exit polls may have been anything, victory will be ours.'

Dec 11, 2018, 8:43 am IST

Chhattisgarh: As the counting of votes underway, Bharatiya Janata Party is leading in Chhattisgarh. Ajit Jogi's son Amit is leading from Marwahi. The constituency of Marwahi is a part of Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur district and is reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST) candidates.

Dec 11, 2018, 8:44 am IST

Telangana: The TRS is leading with 4 seats in Telangana and the Congress with 2. This is the first time that assembly elections are being held in Telangana since its formation.

Dec 11, 2018, 8:45 am IST

In Rajasthan, Congress is leading with 16 seats and BJP by 10.

Dec 11, 2018, 8:52 am IST

Rajasthan: Firecrackers brought to Congress office in Jaipur

Firecrackers brought to Congress office in Jaipur #RajasthanElections2018 pic.twitter.com/gcepNirdYc
— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2018

Dec 11, 2018, 8:56 am IST

Telangana: K Kavitha, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) MP says,'We believe people of Telangana are with us. We have sincerely worked and utilised the opportunity given to us. So I believe voters will bring us back to power, and that too independently. We are very confident about it.'