Counting of votes is underway for assembly elections in five states—West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry. Early trends indicate that the BJP has taken a lead in West Bengal with signs of a majority, while the party is also ahead in Assam. As initial trends emerged, crowds of supporters began gathering at BJP offices, and preparations for celebrations picked up pace amid confident clis is aims of victory. State BJP President Hemant Khandelwal told Dainik Bhaskar that the Congress has “disappeared from the country’s political map.” Festive mood at BJP office Amid the celebratory atmosphere at the BJP office, party workers were served jhalmuri, a popular snack. Speaking in a light-hearted tone, Hemant Khandelwal said jhalmuri was not new to him, as his in-laws live in Kolkata. Firecrackers were also arranged as part of the celebrations. Celebrations in Ujjain’s Bengali community In Ujjain, celebrations were also seen in the Bengali Colony following BJP’s lead in West Bengal. Women expressed their joy by blowing conch shells in traditional style. In the presence of newly appointed authority chairman Ravi Solanki, Bengali women gathered to celebrate collectively and share their happiness. Results for 824 seats across five states A total of 824 assembly seats are being decided across five states: Multi-cornered contests across states The elections witnessed direct contests between BJP, Congress, and various regional parties: Madhya Pradesh leaders campaigned in poll-bound states The BJP contested most seats in alliance with its partners and focused on expanding its footprint, while the Congress also made strong efforts with its alliances to regain lost ground. Several senior BJP leaders from Madhya Pradesh had campaigned extensively in states like West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. Post navigation Indore water crisis deepens:Narmada level falls at Jalud, supply drops from 436 to 320 MLD; dependency on tankers rises Storms, rain to hit 34 districts in MP:Alert in Bhopal, Gwalior, Jabalpur; heat continues in Indore-Ujjain for 4 days