BJP surges ahead, wins 12 seats, ahead in 35

BJP has won 12 of the 19 seats declared so far, while the ruling Congress has won only six in the 90-member state assembly. BSP has also won one.

The BJP on Thursday surged ahead in Chhattisgarh, winning 12 of the 19 results declared so far. It was also leading in some 35 seats against the ruling Congress -- which has so far bagged six seats.

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After early trends which showed a neck-and-neck fight between the two parties, the Congress's lead had fallen to just about 29 seats in the 90-member assembly.

While BSP has won one seat and was leading in two others, NCP was leading in two. An independent was leading in one constituency.

According to reports reaching the state capital, BJP was leading in several constituencies in tribal Bastar, Sarguja, Jashpur, Dhantri, Kanker, Rajnandgaon and Mahasamund districts.

Meanwhile, former Union Minister Dilip Singh Judeo, who is in the eye of a storm in the cash-on-camera scam, said he was not in the race for chief ministership but was sure BJP would get a majority.

"I am not in the race...But I see BJP getting a clear majority in Chhattisgarh and the local MLAs together with the party high command will decide on who will become the chief minister," Judeo said.

To a question about the possibility of his becoming Chief Minister, Bais said he would "fulfill" his duty if the party leadership reposes confidence in him.