Counting begins in three states
Counting for Assembly polls in Punjab, Uttarakhand and Manipur began early on Tuesday morning.
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: Counting for Assembly polls in Punjab, Uttarakhand and Manipur began early on Tuesday morning with the two biggies, Congress and BJP, holding their breath.
The Congress rules all three states and these results will have ramifications far beyond just the formation of new state governments. Already on the backfoot on the Quattrocchi issue, the Congress can ill-afford an electoral setback.
The BJP, meanwhile, is seeking to regain lost ground and a victory in say, two of the three states for the BJP and its alliance partners, will be looked upon as a significant turn of events.
Exit polls have shown close contests and that there may not be clear winners, especially in Punjab, where Congress chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh battles a traditional anti-incumbency factor.
The ruling Congress and Opposition Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP alliance are locked in a close fight. Of the 117 seats, results will be announced for 116. Voting in Beas constituency of Amritsar district has been deferred to March 11.
Counting is also being held for the by-polls to the Amritsar Lok Sabha constituency, where former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu’s fate will be decided. Sidhu had resigned from the seat after being convicted in a road rage case.
The battle is also close in the hill state of Uttarakhand, where Congress takes on the BJP. Poll pundits are giving the BJP an edge. The likely chief ministerial candidates of both parties are Rajya Sabha MPs - BC Khanduri (BJP) and Harish Rawat (Congress).
The fate of over 700 others will be decided for the 69 seats that went to the polls. Polling to Bajpur Assembly seat was countermanded after Congress candidate Janak Raj Sharma died.
Counting is also being held for the Tehri Lok Sabha seat where Congressman Vijay Bahuguna takes on the BJP's Manujendra Shah.
In Manipur, just over 300 candidates are battling it out for the 60 Assembly seats, polling for which was held in three tense phases. The Naga issue plays a key role in this North-East state and the Congress’ main battle is with the Manipur People’s Party.
The Congress rules all three states and these results will have ramifications far beyond just the formation of new state governments. Already on the backfoot on the Quattrocchi issue, the Congress can ill-afford an electoral setback.
The BJP, meanwhile, is seeking to regain lost ground and a victory in say, two of the three states for the BJP and its alliance partners, will be looked upon as a significant turn of events.
Exit polls have shown close contests and that there may not be clear winners, especially in Punjab, where Congress chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh battles a traditional anti-incumbency factor.
The ruling Congress and Opposition Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP alliance are locked in a close fight. Of the 117 seats, results will be announced for 116. Voting in Beas constituency of Amritsar district has been deferred to March 11.
Counting is also being held for the by-polls to the Amritsar Lok Sabha constituency, where former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu’s fate will be decided. Sidhu had resigned from the seat after being convicted in a road rage case.
ADVERTISEMENT
The battle is also close in the hill state of Uttarakhand, where Congress takes on the BJP. Poll pundits are giving the BJP an edge. The likely chief ministerial candidates of both parties are Rajya Sabha MPs - BC Khanduri (BJP) and Harish Rawat (Congress).
The fate of over 700 others will be decided for the 69 seats that went to the polls. Polling to Bajpur Assembly seat was countermanded after Congress candidate Janak Raj Sharma died.
Counting is also being held for the Tehri Lok Sabha seat where Congressman Vijay Bahuguna takes on the BJP's Manujendra Shah.
In Manipur, just over 300 candidates are battling it out for the 60 Assembly seats, polling for which was held in three tense phases. The Naga issue plays a key role in this North-East state and the Congress’ main battle is with the Manipur People’s Party.
ADVERTISEMENT
Download
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
