A day after defeating KCR's BRS, Telangana's Congress MLAs authorized the party high command to choose their leader. State chief Revanth Reddy proposed the resolution allowing AICC to pick the CM for the state, which 10 MLAs backed. Senior leader DK Shivakumar stated, "AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge will take a call on who should become the Chief Minister." Earlier reports predicted Revanth Reddy was the frontrunner after extensive campaigning, though other heavyweight options like CLP leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and Ex-state chief Uttam Kumar Reddy also exist. Congress leader V Hanumantha Rao said chances are high for Revanth to become the CM. But the last word rests with the Congress central leadership on who will steer Telangana next after reclaiming power from KCR. 

Congress is yet to name a CM face with multiple contenders emerging after it won 65 of 119 seats dethroning KCR's BRS in Telangana. State chief Revanth Reddy, 54, is the forerunner for the post after extensively touring Telangana energizing cadres and drawing attention to issues plaguing citizens. His fierce campaigning is credited as catalyzing the resurgence. As the Congress Legislature Party meeting is underway, Congress leader V. Hanumantha Rao said, "We will have to see what is decided in the CLP meeting. Most probably, Revanth Reddy has chances to become the Chief Minister going by all the work he did." The other contenders for the post feature, CLP leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka due to his 1,400 km march that helped gauge voter issues to guide the comeback strategy. Ex-state chief Uttam Kumar Reddy also retains strong support despite the 2021 replacement.

As Congress lost 3 heartland polls, West Bengal CM and Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee pinned the defeats on the lack of the INDIA bloc seat-sharing strategy. She asserted, "Congress has won Telangana. They would have won MP, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan. Some votes were cut by INDIA parties. This is the truth." Emphasizing pre-poll unity, Mamata argued "Along with ideology, you need to have a strategy. If there is a seat-sharing arrangement, BJP won't come to power in 2024." As Banerjee stressed that it is a "defeat of the Congress, not the people", Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, too, suggested that regional parties must lead the fight against BJP in areas they hold sway in. Though the remarks signal rumblings inside the INDIA bloc, Mamata stressed the alliance "will rectify mistakes" ahead of 2024.

The Zoram People's Movement (ZPM), an alliance of six parties led by former IPS officer Lalduhoma has emerged victorious in the hard-fought Mizoram election winning 27 seats, surpassing the halfway mark in the 40-seat Assembly. Key players like incumbent CM Zoramthanga's MNF, Congress, and BJP were also in the fray for the 40 seats on November 7. However, a major upset saw CM Zoramthanga himself lose his constituency to ZPM's Lalthansanga by 2,101 votes. While ZPM marked a clear victory with 27 seats, Zoramthanga's MNF ended up with 10, losing 17 seats from the last 2018 elections. The BJP (2 seats) and the Congress (1 seat) scored below expectations. "The CM will meet the governor around 4 pm. He is likely to offer his resignation," his office stated. With Lalduhoma securing a clear win to spearhead the government, ZPM will hold a meeting of newly elected MLAs to decide on the formation. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm welcome in the Lok Sabha as the Winter Session of Parliament commenced, following the BJP's triumph in assembly polls across three heartland states. Chants of "teesri bar Modi sarkar" resonated as BJP MPs celebrated their electoral victories, retaining power in Madhya Pradesh and securing wins in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. The absence of projected chief ministerial faces underscored the party's focus on collective leadership. The Winter Session, spanning 15 sittings until December 22, promises crucial discussions amid the political landscape reshaped by the recent poll outcomes.

The winter session of Parliament begins today with the ruling BJP seeking to corner the opposition over recent state poll victories. However, the spotlight will also be on an ethics panel report on Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra amid allegations of receiving cash and expensive gifts for raising parliamentary questions. The report will be tabled in Lok Sabha today. Additionally, the government has presented a heavy legislative agenda including overhaul of colonial-era criminal laws and a bill on appointments to the Election Commission. Meanwhile, the opposition seeks discussions on issues like the Manipur situation, inflation and alleged misuse of agencies like ED. But BJP's electoral dominance may limit scope for criticism.

Ahead of the winter parliamentary session, Prime Minister Modi advised the opposition to engage in constructive discussion rather than vent their anger over electoral defeats. Referring to the BJP's strong performance in state polls, PM Modi said opposition parties should learn from their losses and avoid negativity. He stated the poll results are encouraging for those committed to people's welfare and India's development. However, PM Modi said parliament is meant for meaningful debate and so opposition MPs should discuss issues positively rather than disrupt proceedings due to resentment over their defeat in state elections. He implied that hostility will be counterproductive.

Mizoram's ruling MNF faces tough fight from ZPM challenger as votes are counted today after exit polls predict hung assembly. The key contest is between CM Zoramthanga's MNF, seeking to retain power, and the newly formed ZPM alliance. While some exit polls predicted a ZPM sweep, most indicated no clear majority for any party. Zoramthanga projected as "guardian" of tribes, but faces anti-incumbency charges of corruption, unemployment, poor infrastructure. Counting deferred from yesterday after appeals from churches and others in Christian-majority state where Sunday is day of prayers.

As BJP scored thumping victories in MP, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh, PM Modi thundered "Mend your ways or the public will oust you", calling results "historic" and a "guarantee of a hat-trick in 2024." Modi asserted "sabka sath, sabka vikas bhavna has won... call for a 'developed India' has won." He smirked "Some say this hat-trick has guaranteed the 2024 victory." The PM slammed "People have zero-tolerance for corruption, appeasement and dynastic politics." He directly attacked Congress and the opposition bloc, terming the outcome "a big lesson for their ghamandiya (arrogant) alliance". Modi warned "Those standing with the corrupt get a clear warning." After big state sweeps, he proclaimed national reelection is assured while attacking rivals over arrogance in rebuke of appeasement and graft.

In a sweeping victory in Chhattisgarh, the BJP secured dominance in the Bastar division, claiming 8 out of 12 seats. Once a Congress stronghold in 2018, Bastar saw a significant shift as anti-Naxal operations and development initiatives took center stage. Former CM Raman Singh credited massive development and 65 new security camps for the triumph. Congress, which won only 4 seats, faced setbacks in Jagdalpur, Chitrakote, and Dantewada. The BJP's 'Security First' approach resonated, emphasizing reduced Naxal violence and increased development, as voters signaled confidence in the party's transformative efforts.