Elections Announced in 5 States: The stage is set for a high-stakes electoral showdown in five Indian states: Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Mizoram. The Election Commission has unveiled the voting schedule, spanning 27 days and concluding with results on December 3. With demographic shifts, first-time voters, and evolving alliances, these elections will redefine the political landscape in these states.
New Delhi, 09 October(City Times): Elections Announced in 5 States: Results on 3 December: The anticipation is building up as the Election Commission of India has officially declared the dates for the upcoming state assembly elections in five states: Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Mizoram. The electoral process is set to span over 27 days, with results expected to be unveiled on December 3rd, 2024. Let’s delve into the intricacies of these elections, the current political landscape, and the factors that could shape the outcomes.
A Glimpse of the Election Schedule
- Mizoram Leads the Way: The electoral journey begins with Mizoram on November 7th, followed by Madhya Pradesh on November 17th.
- Chhattisgarh’s Dual Phases: Chhattisgarh, on the other hand, is divided into two phases: November 7th and November 17th.
- Rajasthan’s Late November Voting: Rajasthan joins the electoral chorus on November 23rd, with Telangana following on November 30th.
- Simultaneous Verdict: The moment of truth arrives for all five states on December 3rd, when the results will be declared.
Voter Dynamics
- First-Time Voters: This election boasts 60.2 lakh first-time voters, aged between 18 to 19 years, ready to exercise their democratic rights.
- Gender Balance: Of the total 16.14 crore voters, 8.2 crore are male, and 7.8 crore are female. The election commission also notes 15.39 lakh voters on the verge of turning 18.
Key Highlights of the Elections
- Extensive Polling Stations: A whopping 1.77 lakh polling stations have been set up to facilitate the voting process across 679 assembly seats in these five states.
- Inclusivity: A heartening 17,734 model booths, along with 621 polling booths managed by disabled employees, emphasize inclusivity.
- Women Empowerment: Women will preside over 8192 polling booths, with webcasting at 1.01 lakh polling booths.
- Accessibility for Tribals: Special polling booths will cater to tribal communities, ensuring access within a 2-kilometer radius.
- Digital Vigilance: Election activities will be closely monitored through the C Vigil App, providing a platform for citizens to report any concerns.
Decoding the Political Landscape
The current political scenario in these states varies, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reigning in Madhya Pradesh, the Congress party leading in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) in power in Telangana, and the Mizo National Front (MNF) governing Mizoram.
Retrospective on Past Elections
The previous state assembly elections in these states took place in 2018, bringing about significant political changes:
- Madhya Pradesh: The Congress party narrowly surpassed the BJP, but internal political turmoil led to a change in leadership within the state.
- Rajasthan: Congress secured a majority, forming the government with Ashok Gehlot as Chief Minister.
- Chhattisgarh: Congress returned to power after 15 years, with Bhupesh Baghel as Chief Minister.
- Telangana: The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (now Bharat Rashtra Samithi) maintained its dominance.
- Mizoram: The Mizo National Front reclaimed power after a decade, with Zoramthanga as Chief Minister.
Women’s Reservation Bill
In a surprising move, the central government introduced the Women’s Reservation Bill, known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Act, during a special session of Parliament in September. This landmark bill aims to empower women in politics and governance. Its impact on the upcoming state assembly elections, particularly in Chhattisgarh and Mizoram, where women voters outnumber men, remains to be seen.
AAP’s Entry into the Fray
Another intriguing element is the presence of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, where it is contesting against the Congress, despite both parties being part of the opposition alliance INDIA.
The electoral landscape is set, the political parties are gearing up, and the citizens are preparing to cast their votes. As the countdown to December 3rd begins, all eyes are on these five states, eager to witness the democratic process in action.
The Election Commission of India has officially announced the dates for the upcoming assembly elections in five states: Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Mizoram. The electoral process in these states will span 27 days, marking a crucial juncture in Indian politics.
This electoral battle is poised to reshape the political landscape in these states. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) currently holds power in Madhya Pradesh, while the Congress governs Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. Telangana is under the leadership of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), while Mizoram is governed by the Mizo National Front.
Madhya Pradesh – A Crucial Battleground
Madhya Pradesh will witness voting five days after Diwali, on November 17. All 230 seats of the state will be contested in a single-phase election. The results will be declared 16 days later, on December 3, offering insights into the future leadership of the state.
The state of Madhya Pradesh has witnessed significant demographic changes since the previous elections in 2018, with 5 crore 60 lakh 60 thousand 925 registered voters. This marks an increase from the 2018 figures of 5 crore 4 lakh 33 thousand 79 voters.
Rajasthan – A Unipolar Contest
Rajasthan, too, will see a single-phase election for all 200 assembly seats. The election day is set for November 23, and the results will be declared on December 3, bringing clarity to the state’s political landscape.
The 2018 elections saw the Congress secure a majority with 100 seats, thanks to the support of the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), which secured one seat. Ashok Gehlot took office as the Chief Minister.
Chhattisgarh – A Dual-Phase Election
Chhattisgarh will witness elections in two phases: November 7 and November 17. The election results will be announced on December 3, determining the state’s new government.
In the first phase, 20 seats will be contested, including 12 from Bastar and 8 from Rajnandgaon. The remaining 70 seats will be voted on in the second phase.
Historical Perspective
The results of all five states in 2018 were declared on December 11. During that election year, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana voted on December 7, while Mizoram voted on November 28. The election results marked significant changes in the political landscape of these states.
The Political Drama in Madhya Pradesh
After the 2018 assembly elections, Madhya Pradesh witnessed intense political drama. While Congress secured more seats than the BJP, it faced significant challenges in retaining power. An alliance with the BSP and SP allowed Congress to reach the majority mark with 116 seats, leading to Kamal Nath’s appointment as Chief Minister.
However, the Congress government’s tenure was short-lived, lasting only 15 months. A series of resignations, involving 22 Congress MLAs and six ministers, destabilized the government. The Speaker accepted these resignations, pushing the Kamal Nath government into a minority.
The matter reached the Supreme Court, which ordered a floor test. However, before the test could be conducted, Kamal Nath resigned as Chief Minister. Subsequently, the BJP, with the support of rebel MLAs, managed to secure 125 MLAs and formed the government. Shivraj Singh Chouhan became Chief Minister for the fourth time.
Rajasthan – A History of Change
In Rajasthan, there has been a recurring change of government over the past 25 years. The state has 200 assembly seats, with elections taking place on 199 seats in 2018 due to the unfortunate demise of a BSP candidate in Ramgarh.
In the 2018 elections, Congress secured 99 seats and later increased its tally to 101 after winning the Ramgarh seat. Ashok Gehlot assumed the role of Chief Minister.
Chhattisgarh – The Congress Comeback
Chhattisgarh witnessed a historic comeback of the Congress party in the 2018 assembly elections after 15 years. Congress secured a two-thirds majority by winning 68 out of the 90 assembly seats. The BJP, in contrast, secured only 15 seats.
Currently, Congress holds 71 seats in Chhattisgarh, while BJP has 13, BSP has 2, and Ajit Jogi’s party has 3 MLAs, with one seat vacant. Bhupesh Baghel serves as the Chief Minister.
Telangana – The KCR Era
In the 2018 assembly elections in Telangana, the BJP won only one seat, while the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) secured the majority with 88 seats. Congress, on the other hand, won 19 seats.
In the current scenario, the TRS holds 101 out of 119 assembly seats. The All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) has 7 MLAs, Congress has 5, BJP has 3, All India Forward Bloc (AIFB) has 1, and there is one nominated and one independent MLA.
Mizoram – The MNF Resurgence
Mizo National Front (MNF) made a remarkable comeback in the 2018 assembly elections in Mizoram after a decade. Out of the 40 seats contested, MNF secured 26, while Congress won 5. Zoram People’s Movement secured 8 seats, and BJP managed to win one.
Currently, the Mizo National Front holds 28 MLAs, Congress has 5, Zoram People’s Movement has 1, BJP has 1, and there are 5 independent MLAs.
Nari Shakti Vandan Act and Its Implications
Interestingly, the central government introduced the Nari Shakti Vandan Act during a special session of Parliament from September 18 to 22. While discussions hinted at a bill related to One Nation-One Election, the government surprised everyone by presenting this bill. It sailed through the Lok Sabha on September 20, with 454 votes in favor and two AIMIM MPs opposing it. On September 21, the Rajya Sabha also passed the bill with an overwhelming majority. Eight days later, on September 29, the President’s assent transformed it into law.
The passing of this bill has sparked intrigue, as it is expected to play a significant role in the upcoming assembly elections. Notably, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram have more women voters than men, making it a potentially influential factor.
Congress vs. AAP – The I.N.D.I.A. Alliance Dilemma
The electoral landscape in these states becomes even more intriguing with the presence of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which is contesting against the Congress in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. While both the Congress and AAP are part of the opposition alliance I.N.D.I.A. formed against the BJP, they find themselves competing against each other in these assembly elections.
In the 2018 elections, AAP contested 85 seats in Chhattisgarh, securing 0.85% of the votes. In Madhya Pradesh, they contested 208 seats, gaining 0.66% of the votes. In Rajasthan, AAP contested 142 seats and secured 0.38% of the votes.
The Mood in Madhya Pradesh
As per recent surveys conducted for all 230 seats of Madhya Pradesh, there is a notable sentiment among the electorate. A significant proportion of voters expressed their displeasure with 50% of the ministers and 52% of the MLAs from the current government who are running as candidates in the upcoming assembly elections. This sentiment is reflected in the fact that 61% of BJP MLAs and 41% of Congress MLAs are not favored by the voters.
As the electoral drama unfolds, these five states are poised for a transformative political battle. The results on December 3 will shape the future of governance and policy in these regions, with significant implications for the national political landscape. The road to power is paved with challenges, and these elections will be a litmus test for both regional and national parties.
