Uttarakhand Election Results 2022 Highlights: BJP wins U'khand but CM Dhami loses

"Thanks to the people of Uttarakhand for giving BJP a chance to serve again. Devbhoomi has reposed its unwavering faith in the development works and public welfare policies of the BJP government led by PM Narendra Modi Ji. Congratulations to Shri Pushkar Dhami, Madan Kaushik and workers of Uttarakhand BJP," Union Minister Amit Shah tweeted.

BJP's Savita Kapoor has defeated the closest Congress candidate Suryakant Dhasmana by 20,938 votes in Dehradun Cantt.

"BJP is forming govt with 2/3 majority. New records are being made since PM Modi became PM. I am thankful to party and central leadership for giving an opportunity to a person like me of a humble background," Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said.

The Assembly poll results on Thursday brought gloom for several political heavyweights, including two current and five former chief ministers, who lost the electoral battle from their respective seats.

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and his Uttarakhand counterpart Pushkar Singh Dhami lost the polls from the seats they held respectively.

A similar fate awaited former Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Singh Rawat and former Punjab chief ministers Parkash Singh Badal and Amarinder Singh.

Even though BJP leader Dhami has lost the electoral battle, his party is heading for a victory in Uttarakhand.

In Punjab, where the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is set to sweep the polls, three former chief ministers -- Badal, Singh and Rajinder Kaur Bhattal -- lost the election from their respective pocket boroughs.

Chief Minister Channi lost the poll battle from both Bhadaur and Chamkaur Sahib.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief and former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Badal also lost the election to his AAP rival.

Most of the current and former ministers of the Punjab government lost the poll battle to the AAP candidates.

In Goa, former chief minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) nominee Churchill Alemao lost the election from Benaulim to the AAP nominee.

Both the deputy chief ministers lost the poll contest to their Congress rivals, though their party, BJP, is on the course to emerge as the single-largest political formation in the coastal state.

Deputy Chief Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar was defeated by Leader of Opposition and Congress candidate Digambar Kamat, while another Deputy Chief Minister, Chandrakant Kavlekar, lost to Congress candidate Altone D'Costa from Quepem.

The counting of votes for the Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur Assembly polls is going on amid tight security arrangements. 

(PTI)

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is ahead on 47 seats, while Congress is leading on 19 seats.

"I thank the people of Uttarakhand, people have trusted the double engine government running under the leadership of Modi ji," Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said.

BJP will form govt in 4 states. It's very clear that in 2024 there will be a BJP govt once again under the leadership of PM Modi and PM Modi's dream of 'New India' will be fulfilled. I am confident that we will return to power in Karnataka in 2023: Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who lost to Congress’s Bhuvan Kapri from Khatima, is likely to remain at  top position, according to sources.

In a massive development, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has lost to Congress’ Bhuvan Kapri from Khatima.

We will continue to fulfil the role of the Opposition in the state, says Uttarakhand Congress leader Harish Rawat after Congress debacle in the Uttarakhand assembly elections.

Colonel Ajay Kothiyal, the Chief Minister candidate of the Aam Aadmi Party in Uttarakhand, has lost from the Gangotri seat by an emerging third. BJP's Suresh Chauhan won the seat by defeating his closest Congress candidate by a margin of 7,637.

Congress' Sumit Hridayesh has defeated the closest Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Dr Jogender Pal Singh Rautela by 7,814 votes in Haridwar.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is ahead on 49 seats, while Congress is leading on 17 seats.

"Only a formal announcement of my electoral defeat from the Lalkuan assembly constituency is pending. I apologize to the people of the Lalkuan area, which also includes all areas of Bindukhatta and Bareilly Road, that I have not been able to earn their trust and I have lost the opportunity to fulfil the election promises I made to them, in a very short time. You tried to extend a hand of affection towards me. I find myself in your outstretched hand," Harish Rawat Kooed.

Bharatiya Janata Party's Suresh Gariya is leading by 4,010 votes in Kapkot. Congress' Lalit Farswan is second.

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kailash Vijavargiya on Thursday said that the party's performance in the state's polls was anticipated, saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi fulfilled the promises he made to the people of the state. 

The BJP National General Secretary added that the Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami resolved the issues of people in the last six months. 

Talking to ANI, he said, "We already knew that we will form the government as PM Modi fulfilled all the promises he made to the people of Uttarakhand and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami too resolved issues of the people in the last six months."

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) comfortably crossed the majority mark in early trends and now leads on 44 seats in

Uttarakhand Assembly elections, as per the Election Commission Data by 1 pm.

The counting of votes for the recently held elections for the 70-member Uttarakhand Assembly commenced at 8 am on Thursday.

The counting started at 8 am and all the results would be declared later in the day.

The exit polls on Monday predicted a close race in Uttarakhand, with many of them giving an edge to the BJP to form the government.

Some exit polls have also predicted that Congress would finish ahead and cross the halfway mark in the 70-member Assembly.

Polling in Uttarakhand took place on February 14 and the counting of votes has begun today.

After losing, Harish Rawat apologised to the people of Lalkuan for not being able to earn their trust.

"I have lost the opportunity to fulfill the election promises I made to them. Many congratulations to him (BJP candidate) and my best wishes for the future," he said.

Satpal Maharaj, tourism minister in the Dhami government, is leading from Chaubattakhal seat by 4,431 votes. He is followed by Congress' Keshar Singh.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is ahead on 42 seats, while Congress is leading on 24 seats.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is still trailing from the Khatima seat. He is behind Congress' Bhuwan Chandra Kapri by a margin of 5,180 votes.

Republic Poll of Polls for Uttarakhand projected a clear win for Bharatiya Janata Party.

BJP currently leading on 41 seats

The ruling BJP secured a comfortable lead in Uttarakhand on Thursday with its candidates ahead in 46 assembly seats while the main opposition Congress was leading in 21 seats, according to the latest poll trends available. 

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was, however, trailing behind Bhuwan Chandra Kapri of the Congress in Khatima by 1068 votes, the Election Commission said.  

Dhami faces the challenge of bucking the trend of incumbent chief ministers losing in Uttarakhand. 

The BSP is leading on one seat and Independents on two, the Election Commission said.

The BJP's vote share so far is 43.9 per cent while that of Congress is 39.3 per cent. 

The BJP is all set for a second consecutive term in office this time, something which has never happened in the state's 21-year history. 

Prominent candidates trailing in their respective seats included Congress veteran Harish Rawat, who was behind Mohan Singh Bisht of the BJP by 12048 votes in Lalkuan and Subodh Uniyal of the BJP, who was trailing behind Om Gopal Rawat of the Congress in Narendra Nagar by 231 votes. 

Yashpal Arya, who had returned to the Congress fold from the BJP ahead of the polls is leading over BJP's Rajesh Kumar in Bajpur by 3076 votes. 

Pritam Singh of the Congress is leading in Chakrata by 6,657 votes against Ramsharan Nautiyal of the BJP.

PCC president Ganesh Godiyal is leading over BJP's Dhan Singh Rawat on Srinagar Garhwal seat and BJP president Madan Kaushik is leading over Congress's Satpal Brahmachari in Haridwar by 1,413 votes.

Harak Singh Rawat's daughter-in-law Anukriti Gusain Rawat  is also trailing behind BJP's Daleep Singh Rawat by 5,466 votes in Lansdowne. 

However, Harish Rawat's daughter Anupama Rawat is leading in Haridwar rural seat against BJP's Yatishwaranand.   

Routed in the 2017 assembly polls with a tally of 11 seats against the BJP's 57, the Congress is trying to stage a comeback. (PTI) 

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is still trailing from the Khatima seat. He is behind Congress' Bhuwan Chandra Kapri by a margin of 4,000 votes.

Sweets (Laddoos) being prepared for distribution among people by elated BJP workers & supporters in Mumbai after the party recorded a thumping victory in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur.

Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister and Congress leader Harish Rawat has been defeated by BJP candidate Mohan Singh Bisht from the Lalkuan seat by a margin of over 14,000 votes.

Bharatiya Janata Party is currently leading on 41 seats. However, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is trailing from the Khatima seat by over 2,000 votes.

The Union Minister and the Bharatiya Janata Party's election in-charge for Uttarakhand Pralhad Joshi on Thursday said that the party's performance in the state polls was on the expected lines, saying that the people endorsed works done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami for the welfare of the people.  

Talking to ANI, Joshi said, "Under the leadership of PM Modi and CM Dhami, we gave welfare policies to the people of Uttarakhand and have got expected results."

"The result was on expected lines. I want to thank the people and the BJP workers for this result," he added. 

The BJP comfortably crossed the majority mark in the early trends and now leads on 43 seats in Uttarakhand Assembly elections, as per the Election Commission Data at 12 PM.

The counting of votes for the recently held elections for the 70-member Uttarakhand Assembly commenced at 8 am on Thursday.

The counting started at 8 am and all the results would be declared later in the day.
The exit polls on Monday predicted a close race in Uttarakhand, with many of them giving an edge to the BJP to form the government.

Some exit polls have also predicted that Congress would finish ahead and cross the halfway mark in the 70-member Assembly.

Polling in Uttarakhand took place on February 14 and the counting of votes has begun today.

(ANI)
 

Bharatiya Janata Party's Chandan Ram Dass is leading by 8,777 votes in Bageshwar. Congress' Ranjeet Das second.

The Election Commission on Thursday lifted the ban on victory processions during the counting of votes and declaration of results in the five states where elections were held recently.

In a statement, the poll panel said keeping in mind the current status of COVID-19 in these states, it has "decided to relax the guidelines on victory processions during and after the counting and has withdrawn the blanket ban on victory procession."

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is currently trailing in his constituency Khatima. Congress leader Bhuwan Chandra Kapri is leading by a margin of 1068 votes. 

Senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Harish Rawat is trailing by over 10,000 votes from the Lalkuwa Assembly seat in early trends of Uttarakhand state elections.  

His daughter Anupama Rawat, however, is leading from the Haridwar Rural Assembly seat. 

Rawat led the Congress campaign in the state being head of the campaign committee of the party.

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) comfortably crossed the majority mark in early trends and now leads on 43 seats in Uttarakhand Assembly elections, as per the Election Commission Data at 12 PM. 

The counting of votes for the recently held elections for the 70-member Uttarakhand Assembly commenced at 8 am on Thursday.

The counting started at 8 am and all the results would be declared later in the day.

The exit polls on Monday predicted a close race in Uttarakhand, with many of them giving an edge to the BJP to form the government.

Some exit polls have also predicted that Congress would finish ahead and cross the halfway mark in the 70-member Assembly.

Polling in Uttarakhand took place on February 14 and the counting of votes has begun today.

(ANI)

We already knew that we will form the government as Prime Minister Modi fulfilled all the promises he made to the people of Uttarakhand and CM Pushkar Singh Dhami too resolved issues of the people in the last 6 months: BJP leader Kailash Vijavargiya in Dehradun

Under the leadership of PM Modi and CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, we gave welfare policies to the people of Uttarakhand and have got expected results: Union minister and state in-charge Pralhad Joshi in Dehradun

Senior Congress leader and former CM Harish Rawat trailing by over 10,000 votes in Lalkuwa.

As per the current trends, BJP is leading on 47 seats while Congress is ahead on 20 seats. 

Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat trails by 9966 votes in Lalkuan

BJP's Brij Bhushan Gairola is leading by a massive margin on 13,426 votes in Doiwala

Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat's daughter Anupama Rawat is ahead of BJP's Yatishwaranand from Haridwar Rural. 
 

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) crossed the majority mark in Uttrakhand in early trends with 45 seats as counting of votes began for the 70-member state assembly on Thursday.

As per ECI, Congress followed with 21 seats while Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Independents with two seats each. 

Uttarakhand: BJP leads on 46 seats; Cong on 20

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has increased its lead in Uttarakhand. The saffron party is ahead on 45 seats while Congress on 21 seats. 

BJP's Dr Mohan Bisht is ahead of Congress' Harish Rawat by 7,085 votes after the second round of counting in Lalkuan. Earlier in the day, he had offered prayers.

Uttarakhand's Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is trailing from Khatima in early trends as counting of votes began for the 70-member state assembly on Thursday. 

Senior Congress leader and former chief minister Harish Rawat is also trailing, from the Lalkuwa assembly constituency. 
Ahead of the counting, Rawat exuded confidence of his party's victory in the hill state and Punjab. 

"We are winning on most of the seats and there is a close contest where we are trailing. In an hour, these leads will convert into a majority for the Congress in Uttarakhand and it will get a majority in Punjab as well," Rawat had told ANI. 

BJP is leading on 26 seats, while Congress is leading at 18. Bahujan Samaj Party is leading on two seats, as per the data on the Election Commission website. 

The counting of votes for the recently held elections began at 8 am on Thursday, and the final result is expected to get clarity later in the day.

The exit polls on Monday predicted a close race in Uttarakhand, with many of them giving an edge to the BJP to form the government.

Some exit polls also predicted that Congress would cross the halfway mark in the 70-member Assembly.
Polling in Uttarakhand took place on February 14.

The ruling BJP was ahead of the Congress in Uttarakhand with its party candidates leading in 33 seats on Thursday, according to early trends available.

According to data available on the Election Commission website at 10:20 AM am for 56 seats, the Congress was ahead in 18 seats, the BSP in two seats, the Uttarakhand Janekta party and independent in one each.

Prominent candidates trailing in their respective seats include Congress veteran Harish Rawat, who was trailing behind Mohan Singh Bisht of the BJP by 2,713 votes in Lalkuan and Subodh Uniyal of the BJP trailing behind Om Gopal Rawat of the Congress in Narendra Nagar.

Yashpal Arya, who had returned to the Congress from the BJP ahead of the polls, was also trailing behind BJP's Rajesh Kumar in Bajpur by 18587 votes.

Pritam Singh of the Congress was leading in Chakrata by 1805 votes against Ramsharan Nautiyal  of the BJP

The polling was held in the state on February 14 with more than 65 per cent of the electorate casting their votes.

The ruling BJP is seeking a second consecutive term in office this time, something which has never happened in the state's 21-year history.

Routed in the 2017 assembly polls with a tally of 11 seats against the BJP's 57, Congress is trying to stage a comeback.

Prominent candidates who contested the polls are Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, his cabinet colleagues Satpal Maharaj, Bansidhar Bhagat, Subodh Uniyal, Arvind Pandey, Dhan Singh Rawat and Rekha Arya, besides state BJP president Madan Kaushik.

Important Congress leaders whose fate will be decided include former chief minister Harish Rawat, former minister Yashpal Arya, state Congress president Ganesh Godiyal and Leader of Opposition in the fourth assembly Pritam Singh.

(PTI)

Congress candidate Satpal Brahmachari is ahead of BJP's Madan Kaushik by 159 votes in Haridwar.

The BJP was ahead of the Congress in Uttarakhand with its party candidates leading in 26 seats on Thursday, according to early trends available.

According to data available on the Election Commission website at 10:10 AM am for 48 seats, the Congress was ahead in 18 seats, BSP in two seats, the Uttarakhand Janekta party and independent in one each.

The polling was held in the state on February 14 with more than 65 per cent of the electorate casting their votes.

The ruling BJP is seeking a second consecutive term in office this time, something which has never happened in the state's 21-year history.

Routed in the 2017 assembly polls with a tally of 11 seats against the BJP's 57, Congress is trying to stage a comeback.

Prominent candidates who contested the polls are Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, his cabinet colleagues Satpal Maharaj, Bansidhar Bhagat, Subodh Uniyal, Arvind Pandey, Dhan Singh Rawat and Rekha Arya, besides state BJP president Madan Kaushik.

Important Congress leaders whose fate will be decided include former chief minister Harish Rawat, former minister Yashpal Arya, state Congress president Ganesh Godiyal and Leader of Opposition in the fourth assembly Pritam Singh.

(PTI)  
 

As per the emerging trends, BJP is leading on 44 seats while Congress is ahead on 20 seats. 

BJP's Pushkar Singh Dhami and Congress's Harish Rawat trailing from Khatima and Lalkuwa constituency, respectively. 

Senior Congress leader and former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat is trailing from the Lalkuan assembly seat. Early trends in Uttarakhand show BJP taking a lead on 40 seats while Congress is leading on 28. AAP is also leading on one seat.

According to early trends, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is trailing from Khatima.

The BJP was leading in four seats while the Congress in three in Uttarakhand on Thursday, according to early trends available.

Counting of votes for the 70 assembly seats in the state is underway.

According to data available on the Election Commission website at 9.20 am for seven seats, the BJP was slightly ahead of its main rival Congress. 

The polling was held in the state on February 14 with more than 65 per cent of the electorate casting their votes.

The ruling BJP is seeking a second consecutive term in office this time, something which has never happened in the state's 21-year history.

Routed in the 2017 assembly polls with a tally of 11 seats against the BJP's 57, Congress is trying to stage a comeback.

Prominent candidates who contested the polls are Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, his cabinet colleagues Satpal Maharaj, Bansidhar Bhagat, Subodh Uniyal, Arvind Pandey, Dhan Singh Rawat and Rekha Arya, besides state BJP president Madan Kaushik.

Important Congress leaders whose fate will be decided include former chief minister Harish Rawat, former minister Yashpal Arya, state Congress president Ganesh Godiyal and Leader of Opposition in the fourth assembly Pritam Singh.

(PTI)

Bharatiya Janata Party takes a slim lead in Uttarakhand with a lead on 35 seats. Congress ahead on 33 seats, while AAP on one.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leading on four seats while Congress on three seats, as per Election Commission of India.

BJP's Pradeep Batra takes the early lead in Roorkee, while Congress' Yashpal Rana is second, according to Election Commission.

Uttarakhand Elections: Early trends in Uttarakhand show BJP taking a lead on 36 seats while Congress is leading on 26. AAP is also leading in one seat.

Senior Congress leader and former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat is leading from the Lalkuan assembly seat.

According to early trends, Bharatiya Janata Party is leading on 11 seats while Congress on 8.

The first trends are beginning to come in from Uttarakhand. Bharatiya Janata Party is leading on 16 seats while Congress is on 10.

Uttarakhand: BJP leads on 21 seats, Congress on 18 as per early trends.

BJP & Congress in a close contest in Uttarakhand, as per early trends. BJP ahead on 25, Congress on 21.

Trends in for 60 seats out of total 70 seats in Uttarakhand, with BJP leading on 31 and Congress leading on 29.

Congress leader and former state Chief Minister Harish Rawat on Thursday asserted that his party will comfortably win the Uttarakhand Assembly elections by bagging almost 48 seats. 

Talking to ANI, Rawat said, "I am confident of the victory of Congress in Uttarakhand. Everything will be clear in the next 2-3 hours. I have faith in the people of the state. I believe Congress will get close to 48 seats."

The counting of votes for the recently held elections for the 70-member Uttarakhand Assembly commenced at 8 am on Thursday.

The counting started at 8 am and all the results would be declared later in the day.

The exit polls on Monday predicted a close race in Uttarakhand, with many of them giving an edge to the BJP to form the government.

Some exit polls have also predicted that Congress would finish ahead and cross the halfway mark in the 70-member Assembly.
Polling in Uttarakhand took place on February 14 and the counting of votes has begun today.

(ANI)

Early trends in Uttarakhand show BJP leading on 28 seats while Congress is leading on 25.

In Uttarakhand, BJP moves ahead of Congress, as per early trends, while AAP and others are yet to open accounts.

Counting of votes for the 70 assembly seats in Uttarakhand began on Thursday amid tight security arrangements.

The polling was held in the state on February 14 with more than 65 per cent of the electorate casting their votes.

The ruling BJP is seeking a second consecutive term in office this time -- something which has never happened in the state's 21-year history.

Routed in the 2017 assembly polls with a tally of 11 seats against the BJP's 57, the Congress is trying to stage a comeback.

Several political heavyweights are among a total of 632 candidates awaiting what electronic voting machines (EVMs) hold in store for them.

Prominent among them are Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, his cabinet colleagues Satpal Maharaj, Bansidhar Bhagat, Subodh Uniyal, Arvind Pandey, Dhan Singh Rawat and Rekha Arya, besides state BJP president Madan Kaushik.

Important Congress leaders whose fate will be decided include former chief minister Harish Rawat, former minister Yashpal Arya, state Congress president Ganesh Godiyal and Leader of Opposition in the fourth assembly Pritam Singh.

There is no question of questioning the veracity and transparency of EVMs. EVMs have been in use since the 2004 elections and since 2019 we have also arranged VVPATs at each polling station. No machine can come out of the strong room: Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra

Counting of votes begins in Uttarakhand and other four states- UP, Punjab, Goa and Manipur. Watch Arnab and Team present the Election Results 2022 live on Republic TV here.

The counting of votes begins for 70 assembly seats in Uttarakhand. The main contest is between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress.

Preparations are being made for the counting of votes for the Uttarakhand Assembly elections. The images are from outside Dehradun Maharana Pratap Sports College Counting Center. Dehradun District Magistrate R. Rajesh Kumar said, "All the preparations have been done. Counting of postal ballots will start at 8.30 pm and EVM votes."

The key candidates are said to be incumbent BJP's CM Pushkar Singh Dhami from Khatima, former CM Harish Rawat from Lalkuwa, Pritam Singh from the Chakrata, Congress' Yashpal Arya from Bajpur, Congress' Anukriti Gusain Rawat from Lansdowne, BJP's Madan Kaushik from Haridwar, BJP's Satpal Maharaj from Chaubattakhal and BJP's Dhan Singh Rawat. 

"Once I had talked about winning 48 seats, some seats will come around it. We are not worried about any turmoil," stated Harish Rawat, former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand and senior Congress leader in Dehradun. 

"We'll form the government with a majority in Uttarakhand. MLAs will choose their leader and the party's high command will decide it. BJP in the past has tried to break MLAs through money and by using its agencies We'll ensure this doesn't happen," Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel in Dehradun.

Accusing the ruling BJP of influencing MLAs in the past, Baghel has said, “BJP in the past has tried to break MLAs through money and by using its agencies. We'll ensure this doesn't happen.” The Chhattisgarh CM’s comments came after incumbent Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami exuded confidence of a BJP win in the state.

Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Harish Rawat offers prayers at his residence ahead of the counting of votes for the assembly elections. He said, "I am sure that I and the party will win, people will give a majority to the Congress. The picture will be clear in a couple of hours."

Watch Arnab & team for the fastest numbers and most decisive analysis only on Republic TV here 

Uttarakhand Ex-CM Harish Rawat, in a bid to stage a comeback, offers prayers to Baba Kedarnath ahead of counting of votes. 

The BJP had won 57 out of the total 70 assembly seats in the state in 2017 noting a rise of 26 seats from its performance in the 2012 elections, while the Congress had won just 11 seats. Matching its landslide victory of the last polls and retaining power for a second consecutive term is the BJP's biggest challenge in Uttarakhand against a resurgent Congress trying to stage a comeback.

"We've full faith in our workers & candidates. But going by trends from the region & the fact that people from BJP tried to approach our candidates, it's important to keep ourselves alert. We're monitoring," Congress in-charge of Uttarakhand Devendra Yadav told ANI. 

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister & Congress leader Bhupesh Bhagel met former CM Harish Rawat and other party leaders on March 9, ahead of counting of votes, at Dehradun. 

State's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) on Wednesday informed that the counting of votes for the recently held elections to the 70-member Uttarakhand Assembly will start at 8 am on Thursday.

According to a statement issued by the State CEO, before the commencement of the counting of votes, the returning officer for maintaining the secrecy of voting will read Section 128 in the Representation of the People Act, 1951 to all the officers, clerks, agents, or other persons performing the duty of counting votes.

Not more than seven counting tables will be set up in a counting hall, the poll panel had said while announcing the election schedule on January 8. 

To ensure distancing norms, the counting halls have to be sufficiently big with proper ventilation, windows and exhaust fans. Despite being fully vaccinated, if anyone has Covid symptoms such as fever or cold, he or she will not be allowed inside the counting hall.

The January 23-25 P-MARQ Opinion Poll had projected the return of the Pushkar Singh Dhami-led BJP government. The saffron party is probably to retain power and triumph 34-40 seats in the 70-member Assembly. On the other hand, Congress is predicted to see major gains bagging 27-33 seats, while debutant AAP may win 0-2 seats. The other parties and independents are likely to win somewhere between 1-3 seats. 

Averaging the Exit poll (P-Marq, Matrize and Chanakya) forecasts for Uttarakhand from P-Marq, Matrize and Chanakya for Uttarakhand the Poll of Polls reveals a projection of 37 seats for BJP, 30 for Congress and 3 for other parties in the 70-member House.