The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) juggernaut continued to roll on in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand as trends started converting into results by afternoon. The smile on the faces of BJP workers only widened to see that the party was in comfortable position to achieve three-fourth majority in both the states. Likewise, it was a delightful birthday gift for Capt Amarinder Singh in Punjab who wrested the state for the Congress after 10 years with two-third majority from the Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP combine, relegated to the third spot with new entrant Aam Aadmi Party running second.

Meanwhile, Manipur and Goa seemed headed for hung assemblies with the BJP checking the early lead that the Congress had built in the two states.

While counting is still in progress at 3 pm, the BJP won 124 seats and was leading in 196. Samajwadi Party-Congress secured 15 seats and were leading in 41 other constituencies, while the Bahujan Samaj Party was dismayed by winning just six and being ahead in only 15. That dismay was written large on party supremo Mayawati's face when she alleged at a news conference that EVM machines had been tampered with to benefit the BJP.

The BSP leader even appealed to the Election Commission to hold repoll in the state with ballot papers.

Shivpal Yadav, estranged uncle of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, established a comfortable lead to retain Jaswantnagar seat. Among the first to comment on the outcome from Samajwadi Party, Shivpal yadav thanked the people of his constituency, elaborating that the accepted the people's mandate in the state.

BJP leaders obviously had great reason to celebrate a historic victory not seen since 1951 when Premier (as chief minister was known then) helped Congress win 388 of 425 seats. While party leaders credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah for being the chief architects, Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said it was a tsunami that resulted due to tectonic shift in UP politics.

Congress spokesperson said it was difficult to accept the result and the party would take some "hard decisions".

In Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Harish Rawat lost from both the constituencies — Haridwar (Rural) and Kichha — as Congress faced a rout in the wake of saffron surge. The BJP had won 50 and was leading in 6 at 3 p.m. while the Congress secured nine and was ahead in three. Among few top Congress leaders who looked like retaining their seats was Deputy Chief Minister Indira Hridayesh.

In Punjab, Capt. Amarinder Singh gave the Congress take all pride in his campaign. If there was one dampener it was his loss to Akali stalwart Prakash Singh Badal in the latter's bastion of Lambi. Capt. Amarinder Singh, however, one from Patiala. Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu, who left the BJP to join Congress, had a comfortable win in Amritsar East. Congress candidates had recorded victories on 61 seats and were leading in 17 at 3 p.m. AAP pocketed 19 and was leading in one while SAD-BJP won 18 and were leading in one.

However, both Manipur and Goa witnessed hard fought battles with the picture not becoming clear even when counting entered the final half. In Manipur had won 18 and was leading in five; BJP won 18 and was leading in three. With hung house certain, Others who recorded victories in nine constituencies and leading in two will decide whose government it will be in the days to come.

Goa, also seeing hing Assembly, too witnessed a neck and neck race between the BJP and the Congress with both looking to deadheat with 13 seats each.

Others won nine and had lead in one. Goa not only has possibility of slipping out of BJP's hands, it also delivered a major setback to the party in the dream run it had elsewhere. Chief Minister Laksmikant Parsekar was humbled by his Congress rival in North Goa.