BJP workers offer sweets to a poster of PM Modi while celebrating the party victory in Assembly polls
The BJP seems set to form its first government in Haryana without help as results gave it a comfortable majority in the state ruled by the Congress for 10 years.
"It will be a historic day for Haryana as it will finally move away from dynasty politics," BJP's Captain Abhimanyu, the man many believe will be the state's next chief minister, had said this morning.
He told NDTV, "One thing is sure. The BJP is coming to power in Haryana."
Asked whether he would be chief minister, he said, "Every BJP worker will be Chief Minister and that will the proudest moment in my life."
The BJP did not project a chief minister in Haryana or Maharashtra, its only strategy woven around Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his development pitch, hoping that the perceived "Modi magic" will win them both states. The party saw its big chance to wrest Haryana from the Congress after it won seven of the state's 10 parliamentary seats. The highest-ever voter turnout this time also raised the BJP's hopes.
PM Modi addressed a dozen rallies in the last stage of campaigning, urging people to choose change and development. .
Captain Abhimanyu said his party would win because of Brand Modi. "The performance of the Modi-led government at the Centre established BJP's credibility in Haryana," he said.
The Congress, which has ruled the state since 2005, is set for decimation and may not even be the main opposition party.
Sources said Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda was likely to concede defeat in a statement soon.
Former chief minister Om Prakash Chautala's INLD is expected to emerge as the second largest party though so far, it has been unable to come close to its 2009 figure. Mr Chautala had appealed for votes saying he would take oath as chief minister from jail.