Ebullient Congress supporters erupted into celebrations as initial trends showed the party leading in the seat tally across the country.
The Congress headquarters in New Delhi wore a festive look with party workers carrying flowers and buntings, dancing to the music of dhols. Many supporters sang Jai Ho, A R Rahman's Oscar-winning number in the film Slumdog Millionaire.
The Congress workers also setup a hawan with the picture of party's star campaigner Rahul Gandhi next to it. A large flowered cutout of India's map has also been installed outside party president Sonia Gandhi's residence at 10 Janpath as party workers burst crackers.
The Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters in New Delhi was bereft of any such jubilation, with only senior leaders like Prakash Javadekar, Balbir Punj and Najma Heptullah at the office.
While the BJP office started its day on an usual note with party spokesperson Prakash Javadekar meeting the media, at the Congress headquarters, party leaders B K Hariprasad, Oscar Fernandes and Jairam Ramesh were seen holding the fort.
