Setback To BJP In Hindi Heartland

Tuesday's counting of votes for the three States of the socalled "Hindi heartland" saw the Congress winning big in Chhattisgarh, forming the government in Rajasthan and staking claim to form the government in Madhya Pradesh as it inches ahead of the BJP (counting was still on at the time of writing), and a reversal of fortunes for the BJP that will have ramifications for national politics.

- Nistula Hebbar

The three States account for 65 seats in the Lok Sabha and went overwhelmingly with the BJP in the 2014 election.

Both Dr. Raman Singh and Vasundhara Raje, Chief Ministers of the BJP-led governments in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, tendered their resignations to the Governors. "I take responsibility for this defeat because the poll was contested under my leadership. We will act as a strong Opposition [party] and work for the development of the State," Dr. Singh said after resigning. Ms. Raje, while congratulating the victors, expressed the hope that the Congress government would take her own regime's policies forward.

Clear majority

In Chhattisgarh, the Congress won a clear majority, winning 68 seats in the 90member House, while in Rajasthan, it touched the halfway mark together with its allies. That leaves the field clear for the formation of Congress-led governments in both States.