The BJP is ahead in 39 seats while the ruling Congress is leading in 23 in Himachal Pradesh, over two hours into the counting of votes in the Assembly polls.


Congress veteran and six-time Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and his son Vikramaditya Singh are leading from Arki and Shimla (Rural) respectively, according to early trends available for 67 of the 68 seats.


Independents are leading in two constituencies while the CPI(M) is ahead in one. 


Main rivals BJP and Congress contested all the 68 seats at stake.


The hill state witnessed a record 75.28 per cent turnout. The Congress and the BJP had 36 and 26 seats respectively in the outgoing House. Himachal Pradesh has a tradition of change in government after every elections and going by the trend, this time it appears to be the turn of the BJP which is upbeat after the exit polls predicted a victory for the saffron party.


The BJP ousted the Congress in 1990 and the Congress avenged defeat in 1993. The BJP formed the government with the help of Himachal Vikas Congress in 1998 and the Congress was back in power in 2003. The BJP made a comeback in 2007. -- PTI


Image: Vikramaditya Singh, Himachal Pradesh CM Virbhadra Singh's son says he is sure Congress will be victorious and form government in Himachal. He is contesting from Shimla Rural.