Rajasthan, West Bengal bypoll results 2018 updates: Congress defeats BJP by 1,56,319 votes in Alwar; TMC wins Uluberia by 4,74,023 votes

Rajasthan BJP chief acknowledges defeat, says we’ll work harder in 2019

Rajasthan BJP chief Ashok Parnami, in a press conference, acknowledged defeat as he said that his party respect’s people’s mandate.  “We will work harder and form government in 2019,” he said.

Congress defeats BJP by 1,56,319 votes in Alwar; TMC wins Uluberia by 4,74,023 votes

#BREAKING -- Trinamool candidate Sajda Ahmed wins Uluberia Lok Sabha constituency, defeats BJP candidate Anupam Mallick by 4,74,023.#LIVE: https://t.co/TdsQhczB6A pic.twitter.com/wACOfSucPX

— News18 (@CNNnews18) February 1, 2018

AAP’s Somnath Bharti slams BJP on Budget, says party’s loss in all five seats a referendum on Centre

In the budget there is step motherly treatment with people of Delhi and other non BJP States. If this is called a visionary budget then god save the nation. By the way there is already a referendum against Modi government in today's bypoll results! BJP has got 0 out of 5 seats.

— Adv. Somnath Bharti: इंसानियत से बड़ा कुछ नहीं! (@attorneybharti) February 1, 2018

TMC set to sweep West Bengal bypolls

​In a formidable showing, West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress wrested the Noapara Assembly seat from the Congress on Thursday and was all set to retain the Uluberia Lok Sabha seat with a huge margin even as the BJP emerged its main challenger.

The counting was taken up on Thursday of votes cast on 29 January during the bypolls for both the seats.

The Congress was fourth in both the constituencies.

3 out of 3 for Congress in Rajasthan months ahead of Assembly polls

After a severe defeat in 2014, Congress party is set to sweep by-polls for three parliamentary seats in Rajasthan. The party has already bagged the Mandalgarh assembly seat and is leading in the Ajmer and Alwar parliamentary seats, all held by the ruling BJP.

Congress won against the arrogance of BJP: Sachin Pilot

Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee chief Sachin Pilot, said Congress’ victory is against the arrogance of BJP.

Chief minister Vasudhara Raje should resigns taking the moral responsibility of defeat, said Pilot.

Ajmer bypolls

Congress candidate Raghu Sharma has 34,6416 after a voter count of 54.47 percent. BJP’s Ramswaroop Lamba has 2,75,782. Congress leads with 70,634 votes. 

Alwar bypolls

After a vote count of 73.37 percent,  Karan Singh of Indian National Congress has 4,60,088 votes. BJP’s Jaswant Singh Yadav has 3,36,581 votes. Congress is leading with 1,23,507 votes.

Loss in Alwar and Ajmer should worry BJP

This round of by-elections covered 17 Assembly constituencies in Rajasthan. The BJP trailed in all of them, indicating which way the wind is blowing.

The biggest worry for the BJP would be that it suffered heavy losses in Ajmer, it’s bastion. It trailed not just in rural areas but also in urban centres areas of Ajmer and Alwar. The BJP tried everything in the election. It’s large contingent of ministers and local heavyweights camped in the three constituencies. Nothing worked for the party.

Uluberia trends so far: TMC leading

According to News18 , TMC is leading by 2,08,180 votes. Uluberia has elected Muslim leaders for the last 40 years and has nearly 40 percent minority community vote share.

Mandalgarh by poll Result

Congress’s Vivek Dhakar wins the assembly seat by 11,136 votes.

Mandalgarh bypoll results: 17 out of 21 rounds of vote count done

17 Out of 21 rounds of vote count is done in Mandalgarh Assembly seat of Rajasthan. According to trends, Congress’ Vivek Dhakar is leading in this Rajasthan seat by 3,282 votes.

Alwar bypoll result

After 43.68 percent vote count, Congress is leading by 59,935 votes. Congress candidate Karan Singh Yadav is leading with 2,66,814 votes, BJP’s Jaswant Singh is second with 2,06,879.

Alwar Lok Sabha constituency in Rajasthan saw a turnout of 61.86 percent.

Ajmer Election Result

After 24.84 percent vote count, Congress candidate Raghu Sharma is leading with 1,54,336 votes in Ajmer Lok Sabha seat. Ramswaroop Lamba who is the BJP nominee has 1,28,291 votes.

Congress is ahead with 26,045 votes.

Uluberia bypoll results

Trinamool candidate Sajda Ahmed widens her lead over BJP candidate Anupam Mallick by 1,84,949 votes in Uluberia Lok Sabha seat.

Both Uluberia and Noapara witnessed a quadrangular contest with BJP emerging as the prime challenger to the TMC. With nearly 40 percent minority community vote share, Uluberia has elected Muslim leaders for the past four decades.

Over 76 percent of the electorate in West Bengal’s Uluberia Lok Sabha constituency.

Congress accuses BJP of swapping EVM machines in Pushkar

Congress leaders have accused the Opposition of swapping EVM machines of the Bulbani polling station came at the Pushkar assembly constituency. 

#Congress leaders have accused Opposition of swapping #EVM machines of the Bulbani polling station came at the #Pushkar assembly constituency | #RajasthanByPolls #LIVE https://t.co/1pGI7tongH pic.twitter.com/jHUDcnVbM0

— Firstpost (@firstpost) February 1, 2018

Bypoll trends so far for Rajasthan seats

Alwar Lok Sabha constituency 

Congress is leading by 48,288. Karan Singh of Congress: 2,26,592 votes and Jaswant Yadav of BJP garnered 1,78,304 votes. Nota – 6173.

Ajmer Lok Sabha Constituency 

Congress leads by 24,256. Ragu Sharma of INC 1,44,992; BJP’s Ram Swaroop Lamba: 1,20,736 and Nota- 2,187.

Mandalgarh Assembly seat 

Congress leading by 2,012 votes: Congress candidate Vivek Dhakad is leading with 45,011, BJPs’ Shakti Singh gets 42,999.

Expect noise from within BJP against Raje and her leadership in Rajasthan

Who is to be blamed for the loss? Is this a vote against the Raje government? Is the verdict again the central government?

Over the next few days, expect a lot of noise from within the BJP against Vasundhara Raje and her leadership. She would have to employ all her skills to ensure her survival after this debacle. The BJP is unlikely to take the loss without serious introspection. The 25 Lok Sabha seats in Rajasthan are extremely important for the party to be left for the Congress to increase it’s tally in 2019.

BJP might lose all three seats in Rajasthan

No good news for BJP from Rajasthan. The saffron party is likely to lose all three seats of Alwar, Ajmer and Mandalgarh where counting for by-elections polls are underway.  

These three constituencies have nearly 40 lakh voters. They are spread across three geographical regions of the state. The verdict is clear: The voter is not happy with the BJP.

Uluberia by-election result

Trinamool is currently leading by 1,22,997 votes over its nearest BJP rival. Both Uluberia and Noapara witnessed a quadrangular contest with BJP emerging as the prime challenger to the TMC. With nearly 40 percent minority community vote share, Uluberia has elected Muslim leaders for the past four decades.

Over 76 percent of the electorate in West Bengal’s Uluberia Lok Sabha constituency. To retain the Uluberia parliamentary seat, TMC fielded Sultan Ahmed’s widow, Sajda. The CPI(M)-led Left Front nominated Sabiruddin Molla, the Congress fielded S K Madassar Hossain Warsi and the BJP, its district committee leader, Anupam Mallik. Five independent candidates are also in the fray for the Lok Sabha seat.

Celebrations begin at Alwar as Congress’ Karan Singh leads with 40,000 votes

News18 reports celebrations at Alwar Lok Sabha constituency as Congress candidate Karan Singh continues to lead in Alwar with 40,000 votes.

Congress is leading in other two seats as well. In Ajmer, Congress is leading with 29,374 votes and in Mandalgarh, Congress is ahead with 2000 votes

Huge setback for Vasundhara Raje, as Congress is leading in all three seats from Rajasthan

In Ajmer: 

Congress: 108161, BJP: 85510. Congress lead by 22651 votes.

In Alwar: 

Congress: 172535, BJP: 133289. Congress leads by 39,246 votes.

In  Mandalgadh:

Congress: 35,166, BJP: 35,050, Congress lead by 116 votes

Mandalgarh by poll results

Congress’s Vivek Bhakad is leading in this Rajasthan seat with 1800 votes. After the tenth round there was a close fight between BJP’s Shakti Singh Hada with 32,216 votes and Congress’s Vivek Bhakad, reports News18 .

Congress ahead in Alwar as well

The Congress is ahead of the BJP by 39,246 votes as its candidate Karan Singh Yadav has 1,72,535 votes while BJP’s Jaswant Singh Yadav has polled 1,33,289 votes.

Congress leading in Rajasthan’s Mandalgarh seat

Congress’ Vivek Bhakad is leading in Rajasthan’s Mandalgarh seat, reports News18 . After the tenth round, it was a close fight between BJP’s Shakti Singh Hada and Bhakad, but Congress holds the lead for now.

West Bengal: With 1,11,729 votes, Trinamool Congress wrests Naopara Assembly seat

Naopara assembly seat by-poll: TMC candidate Sunil Singh wins with 1,11,729 votes

— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2018

Initial trends from Rajasthan are mandate against the Vasundhara Raje govt: Sachin Pilot

Initial trends from #RajasthanByPolls are a mandate against the Govt, I hope our leads will increase even more. Vasundhara ji and her Govt have been totally rejected by people: Sachin Pilot,Congress pic.twitter.com/UyW82Vhfvt

— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2018

Current numbers in bypolls

News18  reports numbers for Ajmer: Congress candidate Raghu Sharma ahead by 13002 votes. Total vote: Congress – 68585, BJP – 55583.

Kishangarh – Congress ahead with 1023 votes.

Pushkar – Congress ahead with 1488 votes.

Ajmer North – Congress ahead of 2916 votes.

Ajmer South – Congress ahead of 2601 votes.

Massouda – Congress ahead of 1567 votes.

Kekeri – Congress ahead with 3911 votes.

Dudu – Congress ahead with 1103 votes.

Nasirabad – BJP ahead with 1904 votes.

Trinamool Congress leads in Uluberia byelection with 40,829 votes

TMC leads in Ulberia Lok Sabha #byelection with 40829 votes, BJP at 17625 and CPIM at 8576 votes

— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2018

Ashok Gehlot says Gujarat campaigning has had a positive effect across the country

Post our campaigning in Gujarat we have seen a positive effect across the country and we are witnessing the same in Rajasthan: @ashokgehlot51, General Secretary AICC on #RajasthanBypolls

LIVE UPDATES: https://t.co/JUK1XKlXzP pic.twitter.com/XC0dm27k7M

— News18 (@CNNnews18) February 1, 2018

Noapara bypoll result: Trinamool Congress leads after 11th round

Sunil Singh of Trinamool Congress has 77,983 votes, reported News18 . BJP’s Sandeep Banerjee is in second position with 30,220 votes. CPM’s Gargi Chatterjee has 28,732 votes. The main contest is between the ruling TMC and BJP.

West Bengal: Trinamool Congress leading in Uluberia 

After the first round of counting, Trinamool is leading by 9000 votes, reported News18 . Both Uluberia and Noapara witnessed a quadrangular contest with BJP emerging as the prime challenger to the TMC. To retain the seat, TMC fielded Sultan Ahmed’s widow, Sajda. The CPM-led Left Front nominated Sabiruddin Molla, the Congress fielded SK Madassar Hossain Warsi and the BJP, its district committee leader, Anupam Mallik.

Alwar bypoll: BJP candidate Jaswant Singh Yadav is in the lead

#RajasthanByPolls -- Alwar by poll Result: BJP candidate Jaswant Singh Yadav ahead in the third round, leading with 3878 votes. Congress candidate from Alwar constituency is Karan Singh Yadav, gets 3588 votes.

LIVE UPDATES: https://t.co/kTGPT88OSR

— News18 (@CNNnews18) February 1, 2018

Rajasthan trends point to a Congress revival

Trends coming in from Rajasthan indicate Congress is on the revival path. For a state that goes to polls this year and in an year which precedes the seeking of a return mandate at the Centre, the finance minister will be mindful that the budget provides the ruling party with the last chance to make policy interventions and resuscitate ​the economy.

Towards that end, there will be a lot of pressure on him to turn the budgetary exercise into an election manifesto to put out the fires that are raging in different corners. It is now certain that there there will be a slippage in fiscal deficit target. The deficit may touch 3.5% of the GDP and that could still be manageable for Arun Jaitley.

His chief worry will be to mitigate the rising oil prices that have appreciated 35% in the last three months, deliver pro-poor measures and yet ensure macroeconomic stability. The finance minister has to somehow pull off a Houdini act.

Ajmer: BJP trailing even in urban areas is bad news for party

In Ajmer, Congress candidate Raghu Sharma is leading in all the assembly segments over his BJP rival Ramswaroop Lamba.

Ajmer is one of the biggest cities in Rajasthan. It has a large population of government servants. That the BJP is trailing even in the urban areas with a large proportion of government servants is bad news for the party. It demolishes the myth of its invincibility in urban areas.

WEST BENGAL: Noapara bypoll results

After the eighth round,  TMC Sunil Singh is leading with 35,600 votes, CPI(M) Gargi Chatterjee is in the second position, BJP’s Sandip Banerjee third, reports News18.com

Over 75.3 percent in the Noapara Assembly seat voted in bypolls.

Early poll trends: Ajmer and Alwar

Alwar Lok Sabha seat by-poll trends: Congress leading with 30,595 votes 
Ajmer Lok Sabha seat by-poll trends: Congress leading with 7,585 votes

Alwar Lok Sabha seat by-poll trends: Congress leading with 30,595 votes
Ajmer Lok Sabha seat by-poll trends: Congress leading with 7585 votes #Rajasthan

— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2018

Mandalgarh assembly seat by-poll trends: BJP leading with 3072 votes

Mandalgarh assembly seat by-poll trends: BJP leading with 3072 votes #Rajasthan

— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2018

Noapara by-election results early trends

TMC’s Sunil Singh gets 51694 votes,

CPIM’s Gargi Chaterjee gets 19067 votes

BJP’s Sandip Banerjee gets 17688 votes

Congress’s Goutam Bose gets 6138,

NOTA-1866 

Naopara assembly seat by-poll trends: TMC's Sunil Singh gets 51694 votes, CPIM's Gargi Chaterjee gets 19067 votes, BJP's Sandip Banerjee gets 17688 votes and Congress's Goutam Bose gets 6138, NOTA-1866 #WestBengal

— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2018

WEST BENGAL: Face off between TMC and BJP in Uluberia and Noapara seats 

The bypolls to Uluberia Lok Sabha and Noapara Assembly seats were held on 29 January. Over 76 percent of the electorate in West Bengal’s Uluberia Lok Sabha constituency and 75.3 percent in the Noapara Assembly seat voted in bypolls.

The main contest is between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), which is trying hard to emerge as principle opposition in Mamata Banerjee’s West Bengal.

Rajasthan bypolls being seen as an indicator of the public mood ahead of the state polls

The Vasundhara Raje government has already completed four years in office and these bypolls are being seen as an indicator of the public mood ahead of the state polls. As many as 1,987 polling booths were set up for the Alwar Lok Sabha bypoll where 18.27 lakh voters are registered while for the 18.42 lakh voters in Ajmer, a total of 1,925 polling booths were set up.

In Bhilwara districts Mangalgarh Assembly constituency, there were 2.31 lakh voters and 282 polling booths were set up.

Ajmer and Alwar Lok Sabha constituencies saw a turnout of 65.2 and 61.86 percent while the Mandalgarh Assembly seat registered an even higher 78.78 percent as voting in the bypolls for these seats took place omn Janurary 29.

WEST BENGAL: Noapara bypoll Result

In the first round of Noapara Assembly election counting —  TMC got 7329 votes, Left front candidate Gargi Chatterjee in second place with 2290 votes and  BJP candidate is in third place with 2286 votes.

Whereas, Goutam Bose of Congress got 1503 votes and 234 votes in NOTA. Both Uluberia and Noapara witnessed a quadrangular contest with BJP emerging as the prime challenger to the TMC.

Ajmer Election Result

Congress candidate Raghu Sharma is leading with 4500 votes in Ajmer. Former union minister Sanwar Lal Jats son Ramswaroop Lamba is the saffron party nominee from Ajmer.

Ajmer most significant: Read why 

Out of the three seats that went to polls, the most significant is Ajmer. This is where the Congress and the BJP have concentrated.

Alwar, the other Lok Sabha constituency where elections were held, was left largely to the local leaders and candidate. But, in Ajmer, both the Congress and the BJP sent their top leaders to camp and campaign. When the battle began, both the parties seemed evenly matched with dedicated vote banks.

However, the controversy over the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat has annoyed a section of Rajputs, who traditionally vote for the BJP. Their vote may now be decisive in Ajmer.

History doesn’t support the Congress in these elections

In every by-poll in Rajasthan for Lok Sabha since the 80s, the party that had won in the previous election managed to retain the seat. So, in case the BJP loses Ajmer and Alwar, it would be the first time when an incumbent would be ousted in a Lok Sabha by-election in Rajasthan.

If the Congress fails to win, it would just be a repeat of history.

Congress leading in Ajmer

Congress is leading in Ajmer Constituency, reports News18.com. Ajmer constituency saw a turnout of 65.2 percent

Rajasthan: Visuals from outside vote counting center in Ajmer

Credits: ANI

Rajasthan: #Visuals from outside vote counting center in Ajmer. pic.twitter.com/McFTcgqPUo

— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2018

Visuals from outside vote counting center in West Bengal’s Uluberia

#Visuals from outside vote counting center in West Bengal's Uluberia pic.twitter.com/sTcFq1bMPp

— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2018

Bookies predict big victory for Congress in Alwar and Ajmer; bad news for BJP

A good indicator of the trend is the local satta market. The bookies of Rajasthan generally get it right. So, what are they predicting this time?

The news from the bookies is not good for the BJP. They are predicting a big victory for the Congress in Alwar and Ajmer Lok Sabha constituencies. In Alwar the margin is expected to cross a lakh votes.

In Mandalgarh, an assembly constituency in southeastern Rajasthan, the Congress is the favourite among punters. But, this is the only seat where bookies expect a tough fight.

Counting of votes for Mandalgarh seat begins: News18

Results of bypolls in Rajasthan important for BJP

Results of the bypolls for two Lok Sabha and one Assembly constituency in Rajasthan would be a good indicator of the mood of voters of the state.

Since the three constituencies are spread across three geographical regions, they would reflect the trend in almost the entire state.

The BJP had won all these seats with huge margins in the previous elections. If it loses them, it would not only be a wake-up call for the Vasundhara Raje government and the central leadership of the BJP. It would mean the BJP will face a tough test in the 2018 assembly elections and may be hard pressed to repeat it’s 2014 Lok Sabha performance when it won all the 25 seats in the state.

BENGAL BYPOLLS: Battle of prestige as TMC, BJP face litmus test

The by-election results of Uluberia Lok Sabha and Noapara Assembly seats, where counting starts at 7 am, will be a litmus test for the BJP, which is desperately eyeing fresh pastures in the state in the upcoming rural polls as much as they have been prestige fights for the ruling TMC.

The death of two-time TMC MP Sultan Ahmed had left the Uluberia parliamentary seat in Howrah vacant, while the death of Congress MLA Madhusudan Ghose necessitated the Noapara Assembly by-poll in North 24 Parganas district.

39,02,168 voters in Ajmer, Alwar and Mandalgarh constituencies

Counting of votes will start shortly today. There were 39,02,168 voters in Ajmer, Alwar and Mandalgarh constituencies. The Vasundhara Raje government in Rajasthan has already completed four years in office and these bypolls are being seen as an indicator of the public mood ahead of the state polls.

In 2014, Ajmer and Alwar registered 68.65% and 65.50%

Ajmer and Alwar registered 68.65 per cent and 65.50 per cent voting in the 2014 general elections while Mandalgarh had recorded 82 per cent voting during the 2013 Rajasthan Assembly polls.

Ajmer and Alwar constituencies saw a turnout of 65.2% and 61.86% 

Ajmer and Alwar Lok Sabha constituencies saw a turnout of 65.2 and 61.86 percent while the Mandalgarh Assembly seat registered an even higher 78.78 percent as voting in the bypolls for these seats took place on Janurary 29. Despite the healthy turnout, the figures were still less than those recorded the last time these constituencies went to polls, officials said.

In a first, EVMs for Rajasthan bypolls carried photos of candidates

Around 39 lakh persons were eligible to vote in these elections. While Alwar has a total of 18.27 lakh voters, Ajmer has 18.43 lakh voters, and Mandalgarh 2.31 lakh voters. For the first time, EVMs with photos of candidates were provided to avoid confusion among voters regarding candidates with similar names.- IANS