Dehradun: Counting trends in Uttarakhand suggest ruling BJP has successfully battled an anti-incumbency factor despite playing musical chairs with the chief minister's post last year.
The BJP is leading much ahead of its main rival Congress, although down from its earlier tally.
The party's main poll issues national interest, national security, army welfare, and religious tourism has rubbed off well on the voters of the hill state.
It was ahead in 47 seats, eight more than the required majority in the 70-seat assembly, with the Congress leading on 20 seats as counting of votes continue.
This will be a record for the saffron party as it retains power in the state, where anti-incumbency has never allowed any party since its inception in 2000 to return in consecutive terms.
Not only former chief minister Harish Rawat (Lalkunwa) but his daughter Anupama Rawat (Haridwar rural) as Congress candidates are trailing. Daughter-in-law of former minister Harak Singh Rawat, Anukriti Gusain is trailing behind sitting BJP MLA Daleep Singh Rawat by over 1,000 votes on the Lansdowne seat.
Congress state president Ganesh Godiyal has lost his lead to BJP minister Dhan Singh Rawat by a small margin from Srinagar Assembly and his party member Om Gopal has also lost his lead against minister Subodh Unial on Narendranagar seat.
Former CM and Congress campaign head in the state, Harish Rawat is trailing on the Lalkuan seat behind BJP candidate Mohan Singh Bisht, who is ahead with around 14,000 votes.
BJP's Pushkar Singh Dhami is also trailing from his seat Khatima, as per the Election Commission In 2017 assembly polls, BJP had won 57 seats in the state, while the Congress, which had won 11 seats last time, is leading on 21 seats.
Incumbent Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is trailing from the Khatima seat behind Congress candidate Bhuwan Chandra by over 2,000 votes.
The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is leading on one seat and Independent candidates are leading two seats. (UNI)