Elections 2011

The Day After: Now comes the hard part – of governing well

Yesterday is history. The winners now face an even sterner task.

Message of polls: Different states, different scripts for success

The message of the elections is this: there is no surefire way to win another term in office. As the victor in Tamil Nadu, J Jayalalithaa put it, “The people are full of anger. When they want change, they can uproot the most powerful of governments. They did it via the ballot box and in a peaceable way on a blazing summer’s day.

TMC reaches for the stars, Tollywood brigade a smash hit

Congress will seek to refurbish image with Cabinet reshuffle

Mamata the dragon-slayer to Mamata the ice-cool politician

Didi’s success depends on her quick transition from a street fighter to a mature leader

Meet Vijayakanth, the winning loser of Tamil Nadu

With enough numbers in her kitty, Jayalalithaa does not need Vijayakanth's support to form the new government.

#Verdict11 - Your reactions

As #verdict11 became clearer across the five states that went to polls, you watched, listened, tweeted and commented.

Should Karunanidhi retire from politics now?

The voters need a younger, more progressive, less divisive leader to take them into the new millennium.

Buddha set to resign after humiliating defeat

West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee is on his way out. He is likely to announce his resignation today afternoon as Mamata sweeps polls.

UPA is safe for now, but it will have to rethink its alliances

The overwhelming victory of Mamata in West Bengal means she does not need the Congress’ support to rule in the state, but she has no reason to go her own way either because she needs the Congress for channelling central resources to the state. Slideshow with exclusive images from Firstpost editor Sandip Roy.