Himachal Pradesh Election Results : Congress fails to buck ‘alternate’ trend as BJP wins hill state

The BJP and Congress, which have been alternating power in the hill-state since 1990, are battling it out in a straight contest in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections. Counting of votes for the 68-member Assembly began at 8 am on Monday, with initial trends favouring the saffron party. The election, which was held on November 9, recorded a 75.28 per cent turnout, the highest in the state. In picture, CM Virbhadra Singh's residence wears a deserted look on Monday morning. (Express Photo)

The BJP looks like it will oust the Congress-led government in the state, with trends indicating 43 seats in favour of the saffron party against 21 for the Congress. The two parties, which have been swapping power in the state since 1990, are in a straight contest in the hill-state; other parties are leading in only four seats. People outside tourist information centre in Shimla, Monday. (Express Photo)

As per trends, the BJP is leading in 40 of the 68 seats while the Congress was leading in just 23. Four of the five exit-polls had predicted a win for the BJP. (Express Photo)

BJP supporters in Shimla carry out a victory procession after candidate Suresh Bhardwaj's victory. (Express Photo)

BJP supporters in Shimla carry out a victory procession after candidate Suresh Bhardwaj's victory. (Express Photo)

The BJP has won three seats, including Anni, Lahaul & Spiti and Shimla. The Congress has won two seats, Kasumpti and Shillai. The CPI has won the Theog constituency seat. (Express Photo)

The Congress has won one seat; candidate Anirudh Singh defeats BJP’s Vijay Jyoti by a margin of over 9,000 votes in the Kasumpti seat. Police officials outside a counting booth in Sanjauli suburb of Shimla. (Express Photo)

Election officials, in white caps, wait to transport electronic voting machines at a poll counting center in Dharmsala, India, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. Voting for local elections in this northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh was held on Nov. 9. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)

An election official using a computer for vote counting at a poll counting center in Dharmsala on Monday, (AP Photo)

Election officials count votes received by post at a poll counting center in Dharmsala on Monday (AP Photo)

Election officials, in white caps, wait to transport electronic voting machines at a poll counting center in Dharmsala on Monday. (AP Photo)

Live results are projected on a screen as election officials hold electronic voting machines at a poll counting center in Dharmsala on Monday. (AP Photo)