Haryana: Khattar, Hooda leading in early counts

Haryana Chief Minister and BJP leader Manohar Lal Khattar and two-time Congress Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda are leading from their respective Assembly constituencies in the initial round of counting of ballots that began on Thursday.

Khattar, a first-time legislator is seeking re-election from Karnal, while Hooda is seeking re-election from his stronghold Garhi Sampla-Kiloi in Rohtak district.

Outgoing minister Anil Vij, a five-time legislator from Ambala Cantt, is leading from his constituency as per early trends.

However, outgoing ministers Captain Abhimanyu and O.P. Dhankar have been trailing from their seats Narnaund and Badli, respectively.

Kuldeep Bishnoi has taken a lead in Adampur from BJP's Tik Tok celebrity Sonali Phoghat. So is Congress national spokesperson Randeep Surjewala who is also leading.

BJP's candidate and international sportsperson Yogeshwar Dutt and Sandeep Singh are leading, while another international wrestler Babita Phogat is trailing.

Jannayak Janata Party's (JJP) President Dushyant Chautala is leading.

As per early trends, the BJP is doing much better in urban seats than the rural constituencies.

In the early postal ballot counting, the BJP was leading on 43 seats, Congress on 22 and the others on eight.

While most exit polls projected a comfortable victory for the BJP, one predicted neck-and-neck fight between the BJP and Congress with the JJP likely to play the kingmaker.

The counting of nearly 1.24 crore ballots for the 90 Assembly seats of Haryana began on Thursday amidst tight security.

Amid reports of minor skirmishes, 68.31 per cent voting was recorded on October 21.IANS