Congress stings BJP in its bastions, Telangana sings KCR's tune, Mizoram says bye bye Rahul

Assembly elections results: For the first time since Rahul Gandhi took charge as Congress president, his ailing party has outfoxed the mighty BJP in a state election.

Assembly elections result: Congress president Rahul Gandhi said the elections result are an indication that the people of India want a change, and the Congress party is committed to working towards bringing this change. (Photo: PTI)

HIGHLIGHTS

• Congress emerges single-largest party in MP, Rajasthan
• It missed majority mark by 2 seats in MP, 1 in Rajasthan
• KCR retains power in Telangana, MNF wins Mizoram

Rahul Gandhi could have been forgiven for doing a cartwheel as he arrived to take questions at a news conference late on Tuesday evening. The BJP had already conceded defeat in Chhattisgarh -- it would do so later in Rajasthan -- and India's Hindi heartland was losing some of its saffron hue.

For the first time since Rahul Gandhi took charge as Congress president, his ailing party had -- it seemed -- outfoxed the mighty BJP in a state election. Without post-poll help. Bad performances in Telangana and Mizoram must have stung, but perhaps not too badly. The turn in the BJP's fortunes left some opposition leaders struggling to contain their delight. The Congress was happy to retweet.