did not have any impact on the BJP’s political prospects in the region. As of noon, four hours after counting started, the BJP and its allies were leading in 19 of the 24 seats.

If the trend continues, the north-east would play a crucial part in the NDA retaining power in New Delhi in 2019. In 2014, the BJP won eight seats (seven in Assam and one in Arunachal Pradesh) in the region, while its allies won two.

However, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s ambition of dislodging the AIADMK government of Edappadi K Palaniswami appears to be distant as the ruling party is ahead in ten of the 22 assembly segments for which by-polls were also held.

Polling for Vellore Lok Sabha seat was cancelled by the Election Commission following a largeHar Modi” and “Modi Sahab Aap Aage Chalo, Hum Tumhare Saath Hain” and “Vande Mataram”.

Prime Minister Modi was leading in Varanasi by a margin of 169,000 votes, according to Election Commission trends as the BJP and its ally Apna Dal surged ahead of their rivals in 58 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh.

Indian National Congress’ Ghulam Ahmad Mir is in the second spot and is giving a tough fight to the NC candidate in the counting phase.

BJP has taken a lead in Jammu and Udhampur seats while NC’s Farooq Abdullah is leading from Srinagar constituency, his fellow party leader is also in the lead from Baramulla seat.

12:24 pm IST

Congress leads in Punjab

Punjab appears to be the only silver lining for the Congress which is facing