Punjab Election Result 2017: Amarinder Singh previously served as Chief Minister from 2002 to 2007.
On his 75th birth anniversary, Captain Amarinder Singh received the best gift he could've wished for. People of Punjab gave the Congress a thumping majority in the state, reducing the ruling Akali Dal-BJP alliance to a dismal third position. As of 5.35 pm, the Congress won in 70 seats - comfortably crossing the magic mark of 59 - whereas the debuting Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) won 23 seats and the Akali Dal-BJP alliance was restricted to 17 seats. Despite losing the Lambi constituency to outgoing Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, he comfortably won in his home-turf of Patiala Urban. Mr Singh is set to serve a second term as Chief Minister of Punjab.
Among other high-profile contests, AAP's Bhagwant Mann lost to Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. Former BJP MP and Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu won from the Amritsar East constituency.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, senior Akali Dal leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal and other ministers were among those who congratulated Amarinder Singh and the Congress.
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi thanks the people of Punjab
Congress supporters celebrating party win. 
The Congress is set to form a government in Punjab after 10 years.
Akali Dal leader Bikram Majithia thanks the voters of Majitha constituency.
Senior Akali Dal leader and Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal congratulates Captain Amarinder Singh
PM Narendra Modi tweets following the Akali Dal-BJP alliance's defeat
BJP president Amit Shah addresses the media
- There is no regret (on Punjab).
- We accept the defeat.
- PM Narendra Modi has congratulated Captain Amarinder Singh.
- We will study and analyse the defeat.
Captain Amarinder Singh thanks PM Narendra Modi.
Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal wins in Jalalabad
Sukhbir Singh Badal, president of the Shiromani Akali Dal, defeats AAP MP from Sanrgrur Bhagwant Mann in his home-turf of Jalalabad. However, the Akali Dal-BJP alliance has been defeated by the Congress. Presently, the party is leading in 18 assembly constituencies.
Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu wins Amritsar East
Ex-criketer Navjot Singh Sidhu has won the Amritsar East assembly constituency. Mr Sidhu, formerly in the BJP, had served two consecutive terms as Lok Sabha MP from Amritsar. He quit the BJP and joined the Congress ahead of the polls.
We are disappointed, will introspect: AAP
The AAP on Saturday said it was disappointed over losing the Punjab election but added that becoming the main opposition in the border state was also an achievement.
Punjab leads and results at 2.26 pm
The Congress has won a comfortable majority, defeating the Akali Dal-BJP alliance and the AAP , paving way for Captain Amarinder Singh, chief of the party's state unit, to take oath as Chief Minister for the second time in his political career.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulates Amarinder Singh
Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia wins from Majitha Constituency
Bikram Singh Majithia, brother-in-law of Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, wins from the Majitha assembly constituency.
AAP's HS Phoolka wins from Dakha
Advocate HS Phoolka, who represents victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, has won from the Dakha assembly constituency in north Punjab.
Akali Dal patriarch Parkash Singh Badal addresses media
- We have to discuss the reason for the loss.
- We strive to do better next time around.
Captain Amarinder Singh wins Patiala assembly constituency
Captain Amarinder Singh thanks Punjab for his victory
Captain Amarinder Singh addresses the media
- I said on the very first day that the voter of Punjab is very smart. They understood the AAP has no leadership, no credibility.
- He (Arvind Kejriwal) is a summer storm and he is gone.
- That is for Rahulji (Rahul Gandhi) to decide. (When asked about his deputy chief minister)
- We go by what our central leadership thinks is best.
- People of Punjab want industry and jobs.
- It is the Congress workers who worked. He (Prashant Kishor) was a strategist. But of course I am very happy with his work.
Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu addresses media in Chandigarh
- We have to leave the mentality of revenge behind and work for Punjab's development.
- We have to fight to bring back the lost pride and wealth of Punjab.
- One needs good intent to win. Kejriwal lost because his intent was not right. He wanted everything for himself.
- I want to promise Sonia Gandhi that we will present Punjab as an example. No sacrifice will be too large for it.
- What's the hurry brother? I am the principal of the school you went to. (When asked about the role he desires)
- If I have done well, all credit goes to my wife.
Celebrations outside Navjot Singh Sidhu's residence in Amritsar
Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu is set to win Amritsar East as a Congress candidate. The former BJP MP has a lead of nearly 23,000 votes over his nearest rival, BJP's Rajesh Kumar Honey.
Congress set for absolute majority in Punjab
While the trends are highly unfavourable for the Congress in UP and Uttarakhand, it is scripting quite a different story in Punjab. With leads in 72 assembly constituencies, the Congress and Captain Amarinder Singh are set to make a comeback in the state after 10 years.
AAP regains second place but there's no stopping Congress
Punjab Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh is all set to be the Chief Minister for the second time in the agrarian state. As per 11 am, the Congress is six seats over the magic mark of 59 whereas the AAP, with leads in 27 seats, has regained the second place.
Celebrations outside Congress office in Chandigarh
If current trends are to be believed, the Congress and Amarinder Singh are set to return to power in the agrarian state of Punjab. However, the Akali Dal-BJP coalition has fared better than expected,
Trends at 10 am
Decorations outside AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal's house
The AAP seeks to expand its base in Punjab and Goa. Early trends indicated that the AAP would emerge as the second largest party. Presently, it is expected to become the third largest party behind Congress and the Akali Dal-BJP alliance, which has fared better than what the exit polls predicted.
Punjab leads at 9.40 am. Akali Dal-BJP overtakes AAP
Akali Dal-BJP is now in the second position whereas the Congress still seems to be in the driving seat.
Punjab leads at 9.23 am. Congress surges ahead, AAP second
The Akali Dal-BJP alliance is heading toward a decimation.
Captain Amarinder Singh regains lead in Patiala
His key opponent General JJ Singh of Akali Dal is trailing.
Captain Amarinder Singh trailing in Patiala and Lambi
He is the chief ministerial candidate of the Congress
Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh badal trailing in Jalalabad.
AAP MP Bhagwant Mann is leading.
Early leads for Punjab are in. Congress leading
Congress is leading in 8 seats, Akali Dal and AAP leading in one each at 8.45 am
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal leading from Lambi
He is contesting against Congress' Amarinder Singh and AAP's Jarnail Singh
AAP leader Ashutosh on party's chances in Punjab
"AAP will form the government in Punjab with full majority. We have firm belief on the people of Punjab," says AAP leader Ashutosh to news agency ANI
Ballot counting underway in Ludhiana
Postal ballots are being counted first.
Counting begins in the state of Punjab
Counting for 117 constituencies begins in all 54 centres across 27 locations in Punjab
Heavy security outside a counting centre in Amritsar
Poll of Exit Polls showed a neck-and-neck contest between Congress and AAP
Outside the Badal family residence in their native village of Lambi
Ahead of counting, analysis with Dr Prannoy Roy and othersDr Roy: In 2012, Akali+BJP had 68 seats, Cong 46 - first time Punjab's revolving door was smashed. In 2014, AAP won equivalent of 33 seats - that was a big blow to Akalis who have been in power for 10 years now.
