Rahul Gandhi to announce Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan CMs tomorrow

The Congress party defeated the BJP in both these states to seize power.

The main contenders in Madhya Pradesh are state unit president Kamal Nath and the young Jyotiraditya Scindia. In Rajasthan, Rahul is, in all probability, going to choose between Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot.

After getting the support from Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Congress leaders Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindiya on Wednesday met Madhya Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel  to stake claim to form the next state government. Congress' state unit chief Nath has reportedly submitted the list of 121 members in a 230-member Assembly.

As the election results were declared on Tuesday, the Congress emerged as the single largest party by winning 114 seats, two short of the simple majority.

The BSP, which has two seats, will help the Congress to cross the rope.

Mayawati said her party will try not to give the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which won 109 seats, a chance to form the government. She also alleged the BJP had been trying to do horse-trading since Tuesday.

Immediately after Mayawati's announcement, outgoing Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the BJP won't stake claim to form the government as his party failed to get the majority.

Chouhan, who served the state for three consecutive terms, sent his resignation to Governor Anandiben Patel.

Accepting defeat, Chouhan said: "I am solely responsible for the defeat of the BJP."

The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) in Rajasthan on Wednesday passed a resolution authorising party president Rahul Gandhi to decide the name of the chief minister.

NDTV, quoting sources, said the Congress was working out a formula that will keep both leaders happy with one of the managing the state while the other shifted to Delhi.

AICC General Secretary Avinash Pande and party's observer K.C. Venugopal sought the individual opinion of party MLAs in the meeting, which is still underway at the state Congress office in Jaipur.

State Congress chief Sachin Pilot and former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, both front-runners for the post, are present in the meeting.

The results of  the state Assembly elections were declared on Tuesday. Election in Alwar's Ramgarh constituency was postponed due to the death of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate.

Out of 199 seats, the Congress won 99, one short of the simple majority. The BJP, coming down from its earlier tally of 163, won 73 seats.

However, the Congress is set to form the government as it would get support from other smaller parties.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has said her party will support the Congress to keep the BJP out of power.