In Goa, BJP leads after hung house prediction

The ruling BJP in Goa is ahead in 18 of the 40 seats in the coastal state, while its nearest rival Congress was at 13 as at 11:17 am. The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), which could be key in government formation, was ahead in six seats. The Goa Forward Party (GFP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) were leading in one seat each, while independents were ahead in three seats. The Trinamool Congress is leading in 5 seats.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is leading by 366 in Sankahlim seat, latest trends show. Earlier, Congress candidate Dharmesh Saglani was leading over Mr Sawant by 446 votes, reports NDTV.

In a big to avoid a repeat of the 2017 fiasco when it had failed to form a government in Goa despite getting the maximum number of seats, the Congress shifted all its candidates who had contested the assembly polls to a luxury resort in Bambolim village near Panaji on Tuesday.

The Congress insisted that the candidates went to the resort in north Goa "voluntarily", to celebrate a birthday.