Upcoming Assembly Elections in India 2023

2024 is the crucial year for Indian political arena, as Elections for 18^th Lok Sabha will be held in 2024. Prior to this massive political exercise, at least four states are expected to hold elections in 2023. In first half of this year, elections were conducted in four states Tripura, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Karnataka. Subsequently, assembly elections are also listed to take place in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana in later phase.

In this article ‘Upcoming Assembly Elections in India 2023’, we will explore history, previous election results and discuss about some important events happened during elections of these state.

Rajasthan

Present CM: Ashok Gehlot (INC)

Total Seats: 200 (Magic figure – 101)

Details of Previous Election: 2018

In 2018 assembly elections, Congress defeated Vasundhara Raje led BJP government by comfortable margin. INC emerged as single largest party, winning 100 seats, missing one seat to reach magic figure. Government was established under leadership of Ashok Gehlot, who then sworn in as CM. BJP managed to win only 73 seats, giving very poor performance as compared to last elections of 2013, where total 163 seats were won by BJP.

From previous trend we can say that, every five year we see definite change in the government. The stage is set for a head- to- head battle for the 2023 Rajasthan election, with the BJP and the Congress fighting for honour. The internal clashes within Congress, as seen in media reports between Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot, might have been resolved by the high command sighting unfavorable election results for the party in the upcoming elections.

Date of poll as announced by Election Commission for Rajasthan state is 23rd November 2023, Thursday and date of counting is 3rd December, Sunday.

Chhattisgarh

Present CM: Bhupesh Baghel (INC)

Total Seats: 90 (Magic figure – 46)

Details of Previous Election: 2018

In 2018 assembly elections, Congress won first time in Chhattisgarh since its formation as a state in the year 2000. Raman Singh of BJP was serving as CM for third consecutive term (2003 to 2018). This victory of Congress was considered as path breaking, after its lowest performance in 2014 general elections. INC had won 68 seats, and emerged as single largest party, forming government under Bhupesh Baghel. Congress got advantage of anti-incumbency of ruling BJP government serving from last 15 years. In 2023, the BJP is looking to remove the Bhupesh Baghel government.

Source: Wikipedia

Date of poll as announced by Election Commission for Chhattisgarh state is 07th November 2023, Tuesday and date of counting is 3rd December, Sunday.

Madhya Pradesh

Present CM: Shivraj Singh Chouhan (BJP)

Total Seats: 230 (Magic figure – 116)

Details of Previous Election: 2018

In the 2018 election, the Congress emerged as the single- largest party. With the backing of the Samajwadi Party’s one MLA, the BSP’s two MLAs, four Independent MLAs, with its own 114 seats, Congress formed the government, with Kamal Nath as CM.

Turning point came when 22 Congress MLAs, loyal to Jyotiraditya Scindia left the party and joined BJP in 2020, making BJP as largest party to form government. Shivraj Singh Chouhan sworn in as CM again on March 23, 2020.

Date of poll as announced by Election Commission for Rajasthan state is 17th November 2023, Friday and date of counting is 3rd December, Sunday.

Telangana

Present CM: K Chandrashekhar Rao (BRS)

Total Seats: 119 (Magic figure – 60)

Details of Previous Election: 2018

CM K Chandrashekar Rao’s Telangana Rashtra Samithi, now known as the Bharatha Rashtra Samithi or BRS, won 88 seats in the 2018 election, 25 seats more than its previous performance. KCR’s party Telangana Rashtra Samiti has dominated the politics of the state since its formation from Andhra Pradesh in 2014. With motto to expand its electoral footprint beyond Telangana State, KCR changed name of his party from Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) to Bharatha Rashtra Samithi (BRS). It won’t be surprising to see BRS contesting elections on large scale in general elections of 2024.

Date of poll as announced by Election Commission for Rajasthan state is 30th November 2023, Thursday and date of counting is 3rd December, Sunday.

Conclusion

The outcomes of upcoming state elections in India 2023 are poised to play a pivotal role in determining the political trajectories of various states, potentially influencing national dynamics for general elections of 2024 and policy directions. It has generated a sense of anticipation and uncertainty as political parties gear up for crucial battles that could reshape the country’s political landscape. These elections will shine a spotlight on regional dynamics, highlighting the unique socio-economic and cultural factors that influence voter behaviour and impact electoral outcomes. Crucial for national parties, the results of the assembly elections will be a litmus test of their popularity at the state level and could influence their strategies for the upcoming national elections.

You can read more about history of General Elections in India in article: Before going into General elections of 2024, you should know following things about History of Indian Elections