Counting of votes in the Assembly elections of four states and one union territory began at 8 am on Thursday. According to official Election Commission data, Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress is on course to retain power in West Bengal with a landslide victory.
In Tamil Nadu, too, J Jayalalithaa is set to become the first chief minister of the state to be re-elected in 32 years. Latest figures indicate an Assembly majority for the Bharatiya Janata Party in Assam and the Left in Kerala, trouncing the Congress governments in the two states. Also, Puducherry is witnessing a neck-and-neck contest between the Congress and the All India NR Congress.
West Bengal:
Mamata Banerjee has already given a victory speech at a press conference, with the TMC officially leading in 209 of 294 constituencies, according to the Election Commission. Banerjee will take oath as chief minister for a second term on May 27. Follow the West Bengal results live blog here.
Tamil Nadu:
J Jayalalithaa has also declared victory, calling it "a historical achievement". With the AIADMK leading in 136 of the 232 seats, for which voting took place, she is set to become the first chief minister of the state to be re-elected in 32 years. Celebrations outside her home had begun as early as 9.30 am, according to reports. Follow the Tamil Nadu results live blog here.
Assam:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated the BJP for its performance in the state, with the party being on course to kick out the Congress government. The BJP is leading in 55 seats of the 126-member Assembly, with the Congress trailing with 25. Follow the live blog here.
Kerala:
The CPI(M) has won 46 of 138 constituencies already. The Congress and CPI have won 14 each, and the Indian Union Muslim League has clinched 11 constituencies, according to the Election Commission's latest figures. Follow the live blog here.
Puducherry:
The ruling All India NR Congress has won eight of the 21 seats for which results have been declared so far. The Congress is leading with nine seats, while the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has won two seats so far.
The counting will be over by 3 pm, the Election Commission said. Results of exit polls released on Monday had predicted a win for Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress, but a surprise victory for the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam over the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in Tamil Nadu.
In Assam, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led alliance was expected to dethrone the Congress government, while the Left Democratic Front was projected to do the same in Kerala. The Congress was forecast to win only in Puducherry, where it is in an alliance with the DMK.
