ELECTION RESULTS – 2011

The time has come for the beginning and ending of political drama in India. The elections were conducted some days back in five assemblies - Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Assam and Puducherry and the votes were counted now. The first elections after the 2G spectrum scam surfaced appears to have had its devastating impact on the fortunes of the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu. When asked about the loss of DMK-Congress alliance, everyone was referring to the fact that the DMK's A. Raja, a former central communications minister, is behind bars in the 2G spectrum scam. Its MP and Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi has been name co-conspirator in the multi-million rupee scandal and could land in more trouble with the Enforcement Directorate and the Income Tax department questioning her over the scam. The Congress admitted to its election defeat by the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu and wished the best to J. Jayalalithaa, who is set to be the chief minister of the state for the third time. In West Bengal, Communists found themselves out with a massive defeat in its 34-year fortress West Bengal and a loss, although a narrow one, in Kerala, leaving them with just a narrow sliver of power in northeast's Tripura. Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress was tipped to win an incredible 226 seats of 294, leaving the Left with only 63. Even its Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee could not make it to the assembly.  As far as West Bengal is concerned, 34 years of rule by the CPI-M is a record. The results of West Bengal and Kerala will be a disappointment for the Left and democratic forces. In Kerala, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) narrowly lost with the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) getting a slender majority of only two seats. This shows that there has been no anti-incumbency trend. However, some caste and religious forces have worked to influence the elections. Congress had a lead of 100 seats in Loka Sabaha elections in Kerala, but they are reduced to 65-70 because of the irresponsible utterances about the age of Achuthanandan by Rahul Gandhi. 

CONGRESS RETAINS POWER IN 3 STATES

The Congress along with its partners is all set to retain power in the three states (Maharashtra, Haryana, Arunachal) that went to polls. While the Cong-NCP combine is on verge of getting majority in Maharashtra, the Congress on its own is all set to regain power in Haryana and Arunachal. 

Maharashtra - Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and party’s points’ man in Konkan Narayan Rane have emerged victorious from Bhokar and Kudal respectively. Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde’s daughter Praniti has won from Sholapur Central constituency.  Kripashankar Singh from Kalina, and Amit Deshmukh from Latur City are in a leading path. 
Arunachal Pradesh - It is a clean sweep for the Congress in this Northeastern state. Out of the 57 sets for which elections were held it is leading in the 31 seats out of the 36 seats for which trends are available. The BJP is leading in one seat while others are leading in the four seats. Three candidates have been declared elected unopposed.        
Haryana  - Congress has managed to cross the half-way mark in the 90 seat Assembly. The Congress is now ahead in as many as 46 seats, while the INLD is ahead in 24 seats and the BJP flag flying high only in four seats. Congress’ Vinod Sharma and Savitri Jindal have been declared victorious from Ambala City and Hissar respectively. Incumbent Chief Minsiter Bhupinder Singh Hooda is also leading from Garhi Sampla-Kiloi.  What is turning out to be the real surprise is that OP Chautala is trailing behind  Birendra Singh in Uchana Kalan.