JOIN USOdisha's ruling BJD Thursday looked set to form its government for a fifth straight term, negating a Modi wave that is sweeping the country with its candidates leading in 112 of the state's 146 seats.
The redoubtable Naveen Patnaik, who is powering his party to a certain triumph, is leading from both Bijepur and his home turf Hinjili. Election to one seat was countermanded following the death of a candidate.
The BJP appears set to emerge as the main opposition party, with its nominees leading in 21 seats. However, unlike in most other states where BJP and its allies look in firm command, the saffron party will be a feeble opposition in Odisha. The BJP has 10 seats in the outgoing House. Congress candidates were leading in 11 places. The Congress, which was the main opposition to the BJD since the 2000 elections, has 16 MLAs in the outgoing assembly.
CPI-M and JMM are leading in one constituency each.
Counting of votes for 21 Lok Sabha seats and 146 Assembly segments in Odisha began at 8 am on Thursday amid tight security, an official said.
As many as 6,700 officials have been engaged in 63 centres across the state for the exercise, he said.
According to Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S Kumar, every counting hall has at least seven tables each for Assembly and Lok Sabha vote counting.
The ECI has granted additional 411 tables for Odisha as the state conducted simultaneous polling for Lok Sabha and Assembly seats, Kumar said.
Polling in Patkura assembly segment in Kendrapara district of Odisha has been postponed, first in the wake of the death of a BJD candidate and then due to cyclone Fani.