BJD-BJP inching towards majority

The BJD-BJP combine was inching towards securing a majority in the Orissa assembly establishing leads in 78 of the 147 seats in the house despite the Congress-led alliance substantially improving their position.

Congress and its allies OGP, CPI, CPI-M and JMM were ahead in 58 seats according to trends available till 1200 hours.

BJD candidates were leading in 51 seats while its electoral ally BJP was ahead in 27 constituencies.

Trends indicated that the BJD-BJP combine was conceding substantial ground to the congress-led alliance in the state.

Congress candidates were leading in 49 constituencies while its allies JMM nominees were ahead in four followed by OGP and CPI-two each and CPI-M-one seat.

Independents were leading in 10 seats.

In the last assembly elections, the BJD had won 68 seats while the BJP and Congress had 38 and 25 seats respectively.