Congress stakes claim to form government after ECI declares final Madhya Pradesh results - LIVE updates

Congress delegation reach Raj Bhawan to stake claim to form government.

Shobha Oza says the party will have a meeting at 4 PM where AK Anthony will be present. After the meeting they will speak with Rahul Gandhi.

Supporters of Jyotiraditya Scindia sloganeer with posters outside Raj Bhavan. They are chanting "Maaf karo Shivraj, Ab ki baar Maharaj.

A supporter said, "All the youths in the party want Jyotiraditya Scindia as Cm so in the upcoming Lok sabha, we can work with enthusiasm."

Sonia Gandhi's speaking to reporters inside the Parliament said: "It's a win against BJP's negative politics."

When asked about the Congress victory in three states she said, "I am happy" with smile on her face.

Congress delegation meets MP Governor Anandiben Patel, says it has staked claim to form government and has support of 122 MLAs:

MP Congress has tweeted saying that have staked the claim to form the government:

Congress leaders heading to party HQ for a meeting 

"I told him that we will work for the people. We will work for the farmers. We want an environment in which we can get investment," said Kamal Nath after meeting with Shivraj Singh Chouhan

"Congress wants to help farmers. And they will help farmers we know that . We are with the Congress. This was not the general elections. Those were assembly elections. Nation wants a new PM . But can't reveal now as who will be the face of Mahagathbandhan. Everyone is trying to form a good Mahagathbandhan. We can't decide now who will be the face . Even KCR won in Telangana. Only regional parties will bring change," says Akhilesh Yadav

It is true that we did not get the number of votes as per accepted. But the Congress did not get a clear mandate. We received a higher vote share in the state than the Congress. We congratulate the Congress and hope that they fulfil the promises of the people.: BJP MP president Rakesh Singh.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan addressed news briefing. Here are the key statements from his briefing:

-I got the opportunity to work for the MP government for 13 years. I am grateful for the support I got. I ran the government not as the chief minister but as a family member. When I started my work there were several issues - roads, electricity and farmer's issues.

-We worked on the development and welfare of the people. We were also focused on the poor.

-Our policies were based on my own personal difficulties I faced in the state.

-I apologise to the people of the state if I have caused hurt.

-We decided to not form the government since we did not have majority. 

-I called Kamal Nath and congratulated him.

-I request the new government to continue some of the past welfare schemes.

-I hope they are able to fulfil their promise of waiving farm loans in 10 days. As Rahul Gandhi had said that if we don't fulfill our promise in ten days then we will change the CM. We will be a tough Opposition as now we have become chokidaar.

-Our next aim is to win the Lok Sabha polls under PM Narendra Modi's leadership.

Ahead of the Congress Legislature Party meet at 4:00 PM, both AK Anthony and Kamal Nath have chosen to remain mum about the CM face in the state.

Jyotiraditya Scindia said that 'he would accept the party's decision about for the chief minister: "Its a mandate we will take to serve the CM. I am a loyal servant of the Congress party," he said.

AK Anthony received by Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia. Anthony will be the Observer at the Congress Legislature Party meet

Kamal Nath, Jyotiraditya Scindia reach Congress office for the Congress Legislature Party meet.

Sources said that five member delegation will leave for Raj Bhavan at 6:15 PM. It is likely that the delegation will go without declaring a CM name.

A one-line proposal has been passed at the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting in Bhopal. The High Command will take a decision on the Chief Minister face - ANI

Sources say Congress picks Kamal Nath for CM

"Rahul Gandhi will decide the chief minister for MP," said Shobha Oza in news briefing.

"All the MLAs have unanimously decided that a decision on the Chief Minister will be taken by Rahul Gandhi ji. AK Anthony is discussing the matter with the MLAs and he will go to Delhi and discuss with Rahul Gandhi. The final decision will be taken after that," she said.

After the meeting that was held today with the newly elected legislators, it has been decided that the decision of the leadership of the government in Madhya Pradesh will be taken by the party's high command. We will follow his decision: Jyotiraditya Scindia

Sources say that the BJP is holding a meeting at CM Shivraj Chouhan's house to discuss about the meeting with the Governor. Shivraj Singh Chouhan, BJP state president Rakesh Singh, Narendra Singh Tomar and Vinay Sahsrabuddhe are in the meeting.

As per Raj Bhawan sources, Madhya Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel is likely to invite the single-largest party to form the government. Formal announcement likely soon

Sources has have said that once Congress meets with the Governor and proves they have their numbers, they won’t waste any time and will ensure oath-taking happens by tomorrow.

Congress leaders Kamal Nath, Digvijaya Singh and Jyotiraditya Scindia will meet Governor Anandiben Patel to stake claim  to form the government. 

Mayawati announces support to the Congress as the party does not want the BJP to form government anywhere.

Congress leader Digvijaya Singh welcomes Mayawati's support to the party, says his party has always worked to achieve the vision of Baba Ambedkar and Kanshi Ram. 

Shivraj Singh Chouhan will announce resignation and leave for Raj Bhawan immediately, say sources.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan announces his resignation.

"When no party has got a clear majority. BJP has got more votes, but got less seat share. Due to lack of clear majority, we can't form government. I am going to Raj Bhawan to give my resignation," he said.

Shivraj Singh with Governor Anandiben Patel:

After Mayawati, Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav has offered his support to Congress.

SP has won one seat in MP.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan at Raj Bhawan after tending resignation: "Now, I am free. I tendered my resignation and I take full responsibility for the defeat. I congratulate Kamal Nathji."

Congress leaders Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia will meet Governor Anandiben Patel at 12 PM to stake claim to form the government
 

Two independents have just gone to Kamal Nath's house 

Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia say that Rahul Gandhi will decide the CM

Following a nail-biting finale for of the Madhya Pradesh elections vote-count for 230 constituencies of the state, Congress has come first winning 114 seats. The BJP came in a close second with 109 seats. The BSP and SP has won two and one seat each.Independents have got four seats.

MP Congress chief Kamal Nath wrote to Governor Anandiben Patel and claiming that the party had the support of independent candidates.

Congress got a thumping victory on Tuesday as it won with considerable majority in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan and had been in a neck-and-neck battle with BJP in MP.

Celebrations began in the party's state HQ in Bhopal by evening when the party was leading in 115 seats in the state. The celebrations continued on Wednesday.

Rahul Gandhi briefly spoke about the party and the selection of CM for the state as there has been a tug of war reportedly between Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia.

Supporters of both leaders where already pitching their leaders during the celebration in the party HQ. 

Gandhi said that selection of the CM will happen smoothy.

Sources say party has verbal assurance of support from 3 independents and 1 SP MLA.

Governor Anandiben Patel will take final decision after going through final results. 
Congress has been told to wait till governor takes final decision