This is a victory the Congress has been waiting for since 2003. A victory in which Ashok Gehlot emerges as the strongest candidate for the chief minister's post. Specially given that his rivals have been jolted out of their seats.

Like CP Joshi, the state party president, who lost from Nathadwara by just one vote, or Harinder Mirdha, an important Jat leader, defeated in Nagore.

But typical of the party, rather than fulsome praise for local leaders slogans are invoking the Gandhi name.

Both Sonia and Rahul Gandhi campaigned in Rajasthan in the last stretch, but in any serious analysis of these results, they are not likely to count as critical factors.

In fact all analysis will focus on the BJP's one-woman show. Vasundhraje Scindia knew this was going to be a verdict on her and her style of functioning. Her first statement after the results, diplomatic, even inscrutable.

Ever since she led the party to a sweeping victory in 2003, Vasundhraje became the BJP's main commandant in Rajasthan. The entire election campaign built around her personality -strong, flamboyant, but also described as autocratic..

In fact, part of the BJP defeat was scripted during ticket distribution, when she was accused of alienating senior leaders within the party.

The in-party fighting unprecedented for the BJP, and will be seen as large part of its defeat as many of the BJP's rebel candidates won their seats.

The BSP made its presence strongly felt, particularly in eastern Rajasthan, where it is set to change the political equation.