New Delhi : The BJP returned to power in Uttar Pradesh – possibly with a three-quarter majority – after 14 years, during which regional players including the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party, held sway.

The BJP secured today a stunning victory in Uttar Pradesh Assembly election, trampling a fragmented Opposition to secure the biggest mandate any party has ever received in the state, as party leaders hailed it as a vindication of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity and his “pro-poor” policies.

The BJP returned to power in Uttar Pradesh – possibly with a three-quarter majority – after 14 years, during which regional players including the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party, held sway.

According to the results available by 6 pm, the BJP-plus had won 284 seats in the 403-member Assembly, and was leading in at least 28 more.

UP Election result 2017: The exit polls on Thursday predicted a hung assembly in the key Hindi heartland state of Uttar Pradesh, where Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would emerge as the single largest party, winning anywhere between 164 and 210 of the 403 seats. A victory for Narendra Modi’s BJP in Uttar Pradesh, which is home to 220 million people, would boost his chances of winning the 2019 general elections and underscore his popularity after he made himself the face of the party’s campaign in the state.

Punjab election result 2017: Most polls forecast a close fight between the Congress, which is seeking to return to power in Punjab after a hiatus of 10 years, and Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), making its debut in the Punjab Assembly election.

Uttarakhand election result 2017: Most exit polls have projected that BJP will emerge as the single largest party in Uttarakhand election 2017, ending the Congress Party’s hope to retain its Harish Rawat-led government in the state.

Goa election result 2017: In Goa, too, BJP is seen as the largest party with 15-20 of the 40 Assembly seats. The Congress could be a close second, while AAP, a debutant in the state, could get 2-4 seats.

Manipur election result 2017: Exit polls for Manipur have a split verdict. While some show BJP forming government in the state, others expect the Congress’ Okram Ibobi Singh returning for a fourth term. Iron Lady Irom Sharmila, contesting her first election, is expected to have a weak debut.