Indian's ruling Congress party has won elections in three out of the five states that released results on Monday including all three states that voted after the Mumbai terror attacks.

Congress Party has wrested power from its key challenger BJP in elections to state legislatures in the desert state of Rajasthan and from a regional coalition in the north eastern state of Mizoram while retaining power in the national capital Delhi

On the other hand, BJP managed to beat anti-incumbency and challenge from Congress and retained its control of the two central Indian states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

In Rajasthan, Congress emerged as the largest single party but failed to secure majority on its own with 96 seats requiring five more in the 200-member legislature. However, the party is all set to form government by roping in the support of some independents.

The BJP, buffeted by internal feud and wrong choice of candidates under the leadership of Vasundhara Raje, could manage to 78 seats.

In Delhi, it was a hat-trick for Chief MiaiAtw Sheila Dikshit as Congress government le'd by her assumed power for a record third consecutive time with a clear majority of 42 seats in the 70-member assembly. The main opposition BJP secured 23 seats.

Led by Lalthanhawia, a former underground insurgent leader, Congress toppled Mizo National Front (MNF) led by Chief Minister Zoramthanga from power in the tiny state of

Mizoram securing 32 seats in the 40-member assembly. After ten years of uninterrupted rule, MNF was reduced to just three seats.

The BJP stormed back to power in Madhya Pradesh and adjacent Chhattisgarh securing comfortable majority, largely riding on the charisma of its state leaders Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Raman Singh.

However, overall, the outcome of polls in the five states is a clear thumbs-up for Congress ahead of the parliamentary polls due early next year, analysts say.

Defying speculation about a battering in the wake of inflation, global economic slowdown and Mumbai terror attacks, Congress put up an impressive show in the assembly elections.

Hailing the victory of the party in three states. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the people had recognised and voted for development.

The BJP was clearly stunned by the defeat in Delhi and had somewhat expected the loss in Rajasthan where it admitted its party was bogged down by factional feud and wrong selection of candidates.

litre was a tug sense of relief in Congress headquarters here as the win in three states came after a series of loss in elections to a number of state legislatures across the country in the last two years.

What was more satisfying for the Congress as far as the electoral outcome is concerned was that it had to contend with emotive issues like terrorism and inflation ahead of the battle for control of Lok Sabha.