The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance was cruising comfortably ahead to form the government for the third time, though the Congress-led INDI Alliance made surprising gains to change the ongoing narrative.


The NDA had won or was leading in 296 of the 543 seats in the Lok Sabha, while INDIA was ahead in 229. The BJP won 109 seats and was ahead in 130, at 7 pm, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI). The Congress made a smart comeback, winning 43 seats and leading in 56.

Samajwadi Party (won: 10, leading: 28) scripted the biggest surprise – in Uttar Pradesh, where the BJP-led coalition was behind the INDIA. Trinamool Congress too improved its performance, securing 4 wins and leading in 25.

In Bihar, the BJP and JD(U) have 12 seats each (win + lead), giving the alliance an upper hand in the 40 seats. In Andhra Pradesh, the Telugu Desam Party was placed ahead with 16, along with 3 for the BJP. These two states, and their alliance leaders – Nitish Kumar and N. Chandrababu Naidu – will hold the key to the next ruling coalition.

The BJP had a vote share of 36.72 percent at 7 pm, while the Congress had 21.41 percent share.