The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is staring at a big defeat in Chhattisgarh according to the early trends.
The saffron party's three-time Chief Minister Raman Singh is facing uncertainty from Rajanandgoan seat where he is pitted against former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's niece Karuna Shukla. He was trailing in early trends but has not managed to secure a small lead.
ALSO READ: How BJP's Raman Singh Went From Ayurvedic Doctor To Three-Time Chief Minister Of Chhattisgarh
According to local news channels, the Congress is leading at 63 seats out of total 90 seats in the state assembly. The BJP is lagging behind at 18 seats.
The much-touted Ajit Jogi-Mayawati alliance also appears to be making its presence felt.
The Jogi-BSP combination is leading at seven seats, according to early trends.
BJP, despite battling 15 year-long anti-incumbency, had replaced only 13 candidates in this election and given 77 tickets to the candidates who contested 2013 election.
BJP fought this election by projecting Raman Singh as its chief ministerial candidates whereas Congress did not project anyone and the campaign was led by Congress president Rahul Gandhi.