Maharashtra and Haryana Elections: As it happened

10:15 pm In Maharashtra, it is Devendra Fadnavis who is the likely frontrunner for the chief ministerial post. 

9:50 pm BJP sources say that the party chief minister in Maharashtra will be for five years, rules out rotation of CM. While, Capt Abhimanyu appears to be the first choice of the BJP for the post of chief minister in Haryana.

8:45 pm Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Sunday said a decision about a post-poll alliance has to be taken by the BJP parliamentary board, though "natural allies always exist".

8:20 pm After the BJP Parliamentary Board meeting, party leaders hold press conference for briefing. BJP leader JP Nadda thank party workers and voters for the party's victory in Haryana and Maharashtra. Nadda gives the credit for the victory to PM Narendra Modi's governance and Amit Shah's organisational skills.

Nadda also says that Congress has been rightly reduced to the third place in both Maharashtra and Haryana, adding that the party is paying price for misgovernance and corruption.

He also clarified on the reports of Uddhav Thackeray calling the BJP leaders after the poll results in Maharashtra, denying that no call was received by the BJP Parliamentary Board members on post-poll alliance.

BJP will first choose the chief minister in Maharashtra then decide on forming alliance in the state, Nadda said.

8:10 pm After the meeting, Rajnath Singh said that the people have shown the same kind of trust in us in Maharashtra and Haryana Assembly polls as they had shown in the Lok Sabha elections. 

7:55 pm BJP Parliamentary Board meeting on formation of government has ended in the national capital.

7:35 pm After Congress' poor show in both Maharashtra and Haryana, losing power after 15 and 10 years, respectively, party leader Digvijaya Singh said that he is disappointed with poll results. "But then only thing constant in Democracy is Change!," he added.

7:20 pm BJP's Parliamentary Board meeting is underway in presence of PM Modi and Amit Shah.

6:55 pm With Maharashtra facing hung assembly after poll results, BJP sources say that Uddhav Thackeray called Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah to congratulate them on electoral victory. 

6:25 pm Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, holding a press conference after BJP set to appear as the single largest party in Maharashtra, gave his first reaction after results and said that he has not been approached by any party for post-poll alliance while making it clear that the Shiv Sena will consider any proposal to ensure stable government in Maharashtra.

On the question of NCP offering outside support to the BJP to form government in the state, Uddhav said that if they are fine with it they can go ahead and take the support.

Uddhav said that if BJP wants support in Maharashtra it can approach Shiv Sena. While on the question of him taking the proposal to the BJP for post poll alliance, he said, "If I take the proposal and they say no then? Therefore, it's better to wait."

"If the BJP doesn't come with a proposal, then what can I do about it?" he said jokingly.

6: 15 pm: PM Modi has arrived at the at the BJP headquarters in Delhi for parliamentary board meeting. He was greeted by BJP chief and his close aide Amit Shah - the man credited for BJP's exceptional show both in Maharashtra, where it is set to emerge as the single largest party, and Haryana, where the party has won simple majority.

5: 57 pm After BJP secured majority in Haryana, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to thanks people for the win. Modi in his tweet wrote, "Thanks to people of Haryana for giving us the opportunity and to take state development journey to new heights."

5:55 pm Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan have arrived for the BJP Parliamentary Board meeting which is set to begin shortly. 

5:35 pm Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut told reporters that the party has done well despite contesting the election alone.

Raut, on post-poll alliance, said, "No decision has been taken yet, talks are still on with the BJP. You will know the party's stand soon."

5:30 pm After BJP gets simple majority in Haryana, CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda leaves for Raj Bhavan to hand over his resignation.

5:25 pm BJP gets BJP gets majority in Haryana, wins 46 out of 90 seats.

5:00 pm After losing power in both Maharashtra and Haryana, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi congratulated the BJP and said that the people have voted for change after 10 and 15 years.

"Congress accepts verdict in Maharashtra and Haryana with humility. We hope parties forming govt will fulfil promises," Sonia said.

"Congress will play constructive and vigilant role in the two states," she added.

4:20 pm The BJP has secured the biggest ever victory in both Maharashtra and Haryana...our 'Congress-mukt abhiyan' mission has moved two steps ahead as the party is not even in a position to get Leader of Opposition post in both the states, says BJP president Amit Shah.

The victory is a stamp of approval on the work done by party's government at the Centre, he added.

“The hugely successful rallies by Modiji in both the states has put to rest questions on what will happen after the Lok Sabha results,” Shah said, “It has been proved that Modi wave is like a Tsunami that has demolished the opposition.”

On questions about the numbers game in Maharashtra, Shah said, “Wait for sometime (for clarity)....BJP is the single largest party hence it is our right to form the government.”

“We never tried to break alliance with the Shiv Sena,” he said.

3:50 pm BJP state president Devendra Fadnavis said the party will examine the NCP's offer of outside support to help it form a government in Maharashtra.

"We are on it. We will examine about reasons and conditions of their support to us. We will take a decision which is in the interest of Maharashtra," he said. 

3:10 pm Our wish is that Maharashtra should get a stable government. As all other combinations can't give a stable government, the Nationalist Congress Party is willing to give unconditional outside support to the BJP, says Praful Patel.

3 pm We will form government in both Maharashtra and Haryana. BJP CMs will be in both the states, party president Amit Shah told a news channel.

2:40 pm Congress' performance has been disappointing and not upto the expectations, I take full responsibility of this defeat: Prithviraj Chavan

2:30 pm We were expecting more,but we respect public’s mandate, we congratulate new government to be formed, says INLD's Abhay Chautala

2:20 pm MIM's first victory in Maharashtra: Waris Yusuf Pathan wins Byculla seat

2 pm The BJP may not be averse to a reconciliation with its estranged ally to form the next government in Maharashtra but Shiv Sena appears in no mood, at least for now, to play second fiddle in any new arrangement.

And what is emerging as the biggest stumbling block is chief ministership. Given its strong performance, the BJP is the natural claimant for the post.

However, the Shiv Sena appears to be in no mood to accept defeat in the battle.

"Whatever happens, the next chief minister would be Sena president Uddhav Thackeray," said party spokesperson and MP Sanjay Raut had said earlier in the day.

"In politics, we cannot disclose all the cards right now. We shall make our stand clear this evening," Raut added.

1:45 pm Latest Trends/Results at 1:45 pm: BJP+ 120, Shiv Sena 60, Congress 45, NCP 42, MNS 3, Others 18

1:15 pm Maharashtra BJP chief Devendra Fadnavis has reasserted that the next CM would be from the BJP.

“People of Maharashtra have supported the BJP and reposed faith us. We are on course to emerge as the single largest party. I can say with certainty that we will form the next government and the next CM will be from our party,” Fadnavis said.   

1:05 pm Modi wave has not worked, if it had work then they would have got more seats....Uddhav Thackeray will decide whether to support the BJP, says Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi after meeting party chief Uddhav Thackeray.

Joshi's statement indicates that the differences between the Shiv Sena and the BJP are yet to melt away and it would be an uphill task for the BJP to form the next government. Also, reports have indicted that the Shiv Sena is sticking to its earlier stand that they be given the CM's chair.

12:45 pm Outgoing Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has accepted defeat in the just concluded Assembly elections. He told reporters, "I respect public mandate... accept this defeat. I am grateful to Sonia ji and people of Haryana for giving me a chance to serve for 10 years. I extend my wishes to the new government; hope they will work for people at the same pace."

12:30 pm All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen is leading in four seats in Maharashtra. Led by Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, it is AIMIM's first foray into electoral politics outside Telangana.  

12:25 pm The BJP and the Shiv Sena should come together. The mandate is also for them together, RPI leader Ramdas Athavale told a news channel.

12:20 pm Prithviraj Chavan and Chagan Bhujbal have won from Karad South and Yevla respectively.  Outgoing Haryana CM has also emerged victorious from Garhi Sampla-Kioli; Savitri Jindal has reportedly lost from Hisar. 

12:05 pm Senior Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi reaches Matoshree to meet Uddhav Thackeray.  

12:01 pm Congress leader Satyavrat Chaturvedi said “Yes, we would have made some mistakes that our popularity has slid so much. We will have to find out where where we went wrong.”  

11:46 am Trends at 11:46 am am (288/288): BJP 108, Shiv Sena 62, Congress 45, NCP 45, MNS 5, Others 22.

11:45 am Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, senior BJP leader Kirit Somaiya thanked the people of Maharashtra for reposing faith in the good governance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“BJP has scored a century. We will form a mini-Modi government in Maharashtra,” he said.

Not wanting to reveal much on whether the party has started deliberations with the Shiv Sena to form an alliance, Somaiya said, “The people has given us the responsibility, we have double the seats than the next biggest party. We will take support from the party that will help in executing our manifesto.”

However, he added the final call on the matter will be taken by party's senior leadership.  

11:35 am Maharashtra BJP chief Devendra Fadnavis wins from Nagpur South West constituency. 

11:20 am Amid reports that the NCP is reaching out to the BJP to form an alliance in Maharashtra, BJP leader Prakash Javadekar has said that his party will not form an alliance with the Sharad Pawar-led party.  

11:10 am Senior Congress leader Narayan Rane defeated from Kudal. Prithviraj Chavan, Amit Deshmukh leading from Karad South and Latur City respectively. Ashok Chavan's wife Ameeta Chavan also leading in Bhokar.

10:50 am With trends from Maharashtra indicating that BJP will have to settle around 110 seats, far short from the halfway mark of 144, hectic parleys have begun to stitch up numbers to stake claim to form the government.

While the Shiv Sena appears to be the natural choice, the acrid campaigning by Uddhav Thackeray against Prime Minister Narendra Modi has complicated matters. The BJP may still want to share power with the Sena but the big question is whether the Sena will want to join a government in Maharashtra where it is the minor partner.

The NCP may also be an option. However, far too many BJP leaders are uncomfortable with the prospect of an alliance with the party given the long list of corruption allegations against party leaders.

10:34 am First results: BJP's Anil Vij wins from Ambala in Haryana, and Madhuri Misal from Parvatti constitunecy, Pune.   

10:30 am BJP's state leadership in Maharashtra is meeting in Mumbai to chart out the future course of action given the clear indication that the party will fall short of majority.   

10:20 am BJP has slid further in Maharashtra with the latest trends at 10:20 am indicating that it, along with allies, is ahead in only 115 seats. The Shiv Sena is leading in 61 seats. Congress and NCP are leading in 46 and 45 seats respectivley.Raj Thackeray's MNS will end up a poor third with just three seats. Others are ahead in 18 seats. 

9:50 am After leading in as many as 141 seats, the BJP appears to be losing ground in Maharashtra. Trends at 9:50 am (288/288): BJP 121, Shiv Sena 62, Congress 45, NCP 39, MNS 3, Others 18.

9:47 am Uddhav Thackeray will decide on alliance with BJP, says Sanjay Raut of Shiv Sena 

9:40 am  Trends indicate that BJP is set to form the next government in Maharashtra, BJP parliamentary board will decide on the next CM, says Devendra Fadnavis

9:30 am Maharashtra trends at 9:30 am: (288/288): BJP 140, Shiv Sena 60, Congress 41, NCP 40, MNS 2, Others 5.

9:25 am BJP's Shahnawaz Hussain says the nation has won. "It's a victory for the policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he said.  

9:20 am Among the BJP candidates who are leading in Maharashtra are Ram Kadam (Ghatkopar West), Prakash Mehta (Ghatkopar East), Pankaja Munde (Parli), Sunil Deshmukh (Amrawati), Devendra Fadnavis (Nagpur South West), Vindo Tawde (Borivali). 

9:15 am Among the BJP candidates who are leading are Ram Kadam (Ghatkopar West), Prakash Mehta (Ghatkopar East), Pankaja Munde (Parli), Sunil Deshmukh (Amrawati), Devendra Fadanvis (Nagpur South West), Vindo Tawde (Borivali).

9:10 am Latest trends from Maharashtra at 9:01 am: (287/288): BJP 135, Shiv Sena 65, Congress 42, NCP 40, MNS 3, Others 2.

9:05 am Haryana (90/90): BJP 51, INLD 20, Congress 15, HJCBL 4, Others 0.

8:50 am Congress stalwarts former CM Prithviraj Chavan and Narayan Rane trailing from Karad (South) and Yevla respectively.  

8:45 am India's politics in changing; people have voted for Narendra Modi's good governance, says Prakash Javadekar

8:41 am Haryana trends at 8:41 am (77/90): BJP 46, INLD 17, Congress 11, HJCBL 2, Others 1. Among the key candidates, Congress' Randeep Singh Surjewala is leading from Kaithal

8:40 am Latest trends from Maharashtra at 8:40 am (152/288): BJP 75, Shiv Sena 33, Congress 23, NCP 19, MNS 0, Others 1.

8:20 am The exit polls predictions appears to be coming true with the BJP putting up a credible performance in both Maharashtra and Haryana. BJP state president Devendra Fadnavis has gained an early lead from Nagpur (south-west).

8:11 am BJP is ahead in the two seats and INLD in one seat in Haryana.

8:10 am First trends from Maharashtra (6/288): BJP 3, Shiv Sena 1, Congress 1, NCP 1.   

8:05 am Votes being counted in 269 locations in Maharashtra and 57 in Haryana.

8 am: Counting of votes began for Maharashtra and Haryana assembly polls 2014 at 8 am on Sunday.

The elections are being seen as the first big test of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for India and also a sign of whether the 'Modi wave' is still in motion.

Maharashtra recorded 63.13 per cent polling to chose candidates for the 288-member Assembly. Haryana recorded its highest-ever turnout of 76.54 per cent. Haryana has 90 members in the Assembly.

Maharashtra

The five-cornered fight in Maharashtra is expected to throw up interesting results. The stakes are the highest for the Shiv Sena and the MNS as a loss may mean that they lose relevance in the land of Marathi manoos.

On the other hand, the Congress and the NCP, though fighting independently, share the same fate – if exit polls come true. The parties had shared power in alliance for 15 years and now it may be time to sit in opposition.

The BJP is smiling after the exit polls predicted a victory, at worst a near victory. The numbers game may have already started behind closed doors to ensure that Narendra Modi-powered party reaches the magic figure of 144.

Among the key candidates from the BJP are Devendra Fadnavis (Nagpur south-west), Pankaja Munde (Parli), Vinod Tawde (Borivali), Ram Kadam (Ghatkopar West).

Subhash Desai (Goregaon), Sureshkumar Jain (Jalgaon), Eknath Shinde (Kopri) of the Shiv Sena and Nitin Sardesai (Mahim), Shalini Thackeray (Dindoshi) of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) are also in the fray.

Congress stalwarts in the fray are Prithviraj Chavan (Karad South), Manikrao Thakre (Yavatmal), Suresh Shetty (Andheri East), Kripashankar Singh (Kalina), Baba Siddique (Bandra West), Pariniti (Solapur City Central) and of the NCP are Ajit Pawar (Baramati), Jayant Patil (Islampur), Anil Deshmukh (Katol), Chagan Bhujbal (Yevla) and Jitendra Ahwad (Mumbra).

Haryana

From just four seats in the outgoing assembly to grabbing power, the exit polls have predicted a stunning victory for the BJP in Haryana.

What would make the anticipated victory sweeter is the fact that the party has contested, for the first time, without support from any state centric party.

The Om Prakash Chautala-led Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) is the other big contender for the no 1 position.

The Congress under Bhupinder Singh Hooda is hoping for a miracle given the prediction that the people of Haryana have voted for change in 2014.

Among the key candidates are Capt Abhimanyu (Narnaud), Vandana Sharma (Safidon), Bhupinder Singh Hooda (Garhi Sampla-Kiloi), Venod Sharma (Ambala City), AK Arora (Thanesar), Kuldip Sharma (Ganaur), Ajay Singh (Rewari), Dushyant Chautala (Unchana Kalan), Kuldeep Bishnoi, and Chander Mohan.