Bengaluru: Waving BJP flags and dancing to drum beats, hundreds of BJP workers across Karnataka celebrated on Tuesday as the saffron party was set to dethrone the Congress in the state.
Sweets and delicacies were distributed among boisterous party workers and supporters who gathered at the state BJP headquarters here and its offices across Karnataka, including those in Kalaburagi, Hubbali-Dharwad, Mangaluru and Shivamogga.
The BJP on Tuesday appeared headed for a simple majority in the Karnataka elections, with its candidates leading in 115 assembly seats, leaving the ruling Congress way behind.
Earlier in the day, BJP workers had gathered amid an air of anxiety as several poll surveys and exit polls had predicted a hung house with some giving an edge to the ruling Congress.
But as results trickled in they erupted with joy with the BJP maintaining a steady lead, leaving its main opponent, the Congress, far behind.
Party workers danced to music and raised slogans such as "Bharat Mata ki Jai", "Narendra Modi Ki Jai" and "BJP Ki Jai".
However, the Congress headquarters in Bengaluru, bore a deserted look, as the party found itself lagging in all regions of the state.
Polling for R R Nagar seat was deferred on account of alleged electoral malpractices, while it was countermanded in Jayanagar seat following the death of the BJP candidate.