Counting of votes for the 126 Assembly constituencies in Assam began on Monday, deciding whether the ruling NDA will retain power for a third consecutive term or the Congress-led Opposition alliance will wrest control.
In the early trends, the BJP is leading in 43 seats, the Congress in 14 and the AIUDF in one seat.
Both alliances are confident of crossing the simple majority mark of 64 in the 126-member Assembly. While Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma-led BJP has predicted close to 100 seats for the NDA, the Gaurav Gogoi-led Congress is equally hopeful of a strong showing for the Asom Sonmilito Morcha (ASM) to return to power after 10 years.
Security has been tightened, with 25 companies of central armed police forces deployed to guard strongrooms at counting centres.