The outcome of elections in MP, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana will determine Congress's alliance bargaining as vote counting proceeds Sunday in the high-stakes semi-final ahead of 2024. Congress governs Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, BJP rules Madhya Pradesh while KCR's BRS controls Telangana. Congress said its Telangana candidates received calls from KCR, sparking rumors of post-election alignments. With the four verdicts poised to reshape national opposition unity, Congress seeks state wins to strengthen its hand in 2024 negotiations and unite anti-BJP forces. But defeats may erode its stature attempting a larger anti-Modi front.

Rebel NCP leader Ajit Pawar asserted at a Karjat event that his decision to join the Shinde-led Maharashtra government was backed by Sharad Pawar, who allegedly urged him during a family discussion. Ajit criticized the episode surrounding Sharad Pawar's brief resignation as party chief, deeming it a "nautanki" or farce. He disclosed that a reconciliation meeting was attempted, questioning the need for protests against the decision. Ajit Pawar also addressed Anil Deshmukh's 'supari' claim, stating Deshmukh stayed with Sharad Pawar's group for ministerial prospects. Ajit suggested the timely discussion of the Uniform Civil Code and population control.

Ahead of Parliament's Winter Session, the all-party meeting convened by the government saw heated exchange over leaked reports of TMC MP Mahua Moitra's possible expulsion by the Ethics Committee over "cash-for-query" allegations. TMC MPs slammed the government over the leak and argued the Committee's report should first be discussed in Lok Sabha before any action. They also appealed not to pass bills replacing IPC, CrPC and Evidence Act citing major ramifications. The meet was attended by various union ministers and opposition leaders. However, the Moitra issue took centerstage.

The Lok Sabha ethics committee, chaired by BJP MP Vinod Kumar Sonkar, will present a report on December 4, proposing the expulsion of TMC MP Mahua Moitra. The report follows allegations of Moitra accepting bribes in exchange for parliamentary questions against Gautam Adani. The government is expected to move a motion for her expulsion, triggering a potential uproar in the House. Opposition parties, including the INDIA bloc, may unite in protest, while Congress conveys support to Moitra, calling it a political witch hunt. The decision hinges on a House vote in favor of the ethics panel's recommendation.

The Election Commission (EC) shifts the Mizoram Assembly Election results counting from December 3 (Sunday) to December 4 (Monday) following multiple requests. December 3 holds significance for Mizoram's predominantly Christian population. The EC, considering representations, revised the counting date for the legislative assembly polls. Mizoram's voting occurred on November 7, and the new counting date aligns with the EC's earlier announcement for results in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Telangana on December 3. The change accommodates local sentiments, ensuring a meaningful observation of December 3 in Mizoram.

As exit polls predict a Congress edge in the recently concluded Telangana Assembly elections, the party high command is considering shifting its MLAs to Bengaluru or another city after results are declared on December 3. This contingency plan aims to prevent poaching if Congress falls just short of a majority in a tight contest. Telangana Congress president Revanth Reddy remains confident Congress will secure a two-thirds majority win, but the central leadership wants to take no chances. Coordinators have been deployed to escort winning candidates to undisclosed spots initially, before likely transporting legislators together to Karnataka under the watch of Congress leader DK Shivakumar, known for successfully managing similar situations.

As exit polls predicted a Congress upsurge dethroning KCR's BRS in its bastion Telangana, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor termed it a "superb turnaround". The polls unanimously give Congress an edge, some projecting a majority, with BRS relegated to second spot. State Congress chief Revanth Reddy predicts over 80 of 119 seats. BRS leader KTR slammed surveys airing while voting was on as "illogical" and "ludicrous", dismissing them as "nonsense" and asserting BRS' return. India TV-CNX predicted 63-79 seats for the Congress, 31-47 for the BRS and two to four for the BJP. The P-Marq poll gave 58-71 to the Congress, 37-51 to the BRS. News 24-Today’s Chanakya gave 71 to the Congress and 33 to the BRS. TV9 Bharatvarsh Polstrat projected that Congress would get 49-59 and the BRS 48-58 in a close fight. The ABP-C Voter poll gave 49-65 to the Congress, 38-54 to the BRS and five to 13 to the BJP. The surprise Telangana projections come after years of BRS dominance since the state was formed. 

Exit polls suggest a thumping win for Madhya Pradesh's incumbent BJP with most predicting a dominant showing against the Congress. The Axis My India survey shows BJP securing 140-162 seats in the 230-member assembly, far ahead of Congress' 68-90 seat tally. The median projection gives BJP 152 and Congress 76 seats, pointing to anti-incumbency beating by CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan. He leads as most preferred CM choice too. Though one exit poll said Congress has a slight edge, overall surveys signal advantage BJP. On aggregate across 5 polls, BJP is forecast winning 130 seats, beating Congress' 98, confirming the saffron party's strong position despite being in power and winning narrowly last time against a Congress fightback post Kamal Nath.

The Rajasthan assembly election is headed for a close contest as well with exit polls showing a slight edge for the ruling Congress. The India Today survey projects 86-106 seats for Congress in the 199-member house while BJP gets 80-100 seats, indicating a cliffhanger and hung verdict chance. Vote share is forecast as split between the two at 42% Congress and 41% BJP. Other polls also show a tight race. Despite anti-incumbency, CM Ashok Gehlot emerges most preferred for the post as per India Today poll. But the pendulum trend in Rajasthan continues with surveys unable to conclusively call if Congress will beat BJP, now forecast within touching distance after a 2018 rout.

The Chhattisgarh election is headed for a close finish between Congress and BJP with a hung assembly possibility as per exit polls. The India Today survey shows Congress winning 40-50 seats, leading BJP's 36-46 seats tally in the 90-member house. Congress is tipped to lose 23 seats from its 2018 landslide while BJP gains 26. Vote share is almost split equally between the two. CM Bhupesh Baghel retains most preferred CM choice. Other exit polls also signal a tight race though C-Voter projects BJP inching ahead. This is a setback for Congress which secured a massive 68 seat victory in 2018 against BJP's 15. With polls predicting a major drop in Congress numbers, the state could be headed for a fragile government scenario.