BJP set to wrest power from Cong in HP: Exit poll

New Delhi, Dec 19 (UNI) The BJP is set to wrest power from Congress in Himachal Pradesh, winning 40 seats in the 68-member Assembly, according to an exit poll by Star News.

The exit poll, conducted by the Star News-Neilson after the second and final round of voting in the state, said the BJP will gain 24 seats, while the Congress will get 19 seats, losing 24 in what is virtually a straight contest between the two parties. Others, including Independents, will get nine seats.

In the last election, the Congress had won 43 seats and BJP 16.

BJP has already projected Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal as its Chief Ministerial candidate.

UNI