Congress surges ahead in Punjab

The opposition Congress was racing ahead in 65 seats in the 117-member Punjab Assembly, followed by the AAP in 25 seats, the SAD in 20 seats and the BJP in four seats, as per early trends.
Congress is seeking to return to power after a hiatus of 10 years.
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal was leading by 10,672 votes in his pocket borough Lambi Assembly constituency.
From Lambi, 89-year-old Badal is locked in a keen contest with Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh and AAP's Jarnail Singh, among others.
Capt Singh, who turned 75 today, was leading from Patiala by 26,463 votes against his nearest rival AAP's Balbir Singh.

Former Army Chief General J J Singh (retd) was at the number three spot.

Punjab Deputy Chief Minister and SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal was leading over his nearest rival Ravneet Singh Bittu of Congress by a margin of 6,907 votes from Jalalabad constituency, as per early trends.
Congress leader Sunil Jakhar was trailing by 3,084 votes as against his nearest rival BJP's Arun Narang from Abohar segment.
Navjot Singh Sidhu of Congress was leading by a margin of 8,926 votes in Amritsar-East segment.
Initial trends, now available for all the seats in the Assembly, also have two candidates of Bains brothers Lok Insaf Party ahead, who fought in an alliance with the AAP, leading. One Independent candidate was also leading.

From Jalandhar Cantt, Congress candidate and former Indian hockey captain Pargat Singh was leading by over 11,000 votes over his nearest rival AAP's Harkrishan Singh Walia.
From Gidderbaha, All-India Youth Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring was leading by 3,971 votes against Akali candidate Hardeep Singh Dimpy.
From Lehra, Akali candidate Parminder Dhindsa was leading by 3,736 votes. Congress candidate and former Punjab Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal was trailing on the seat.
In the Majitha seat, SAD's Bikram Singh Majithia was leading by 8,218 votes against Congress candidate Sukhjinder Raj Singh Lalli.
Congress' Manpreet Badal was leading by 1,575 votes against AAP candidate Deepak Bansal from Bathinda Urban as per initial trends.

In Dakha seat, AAP's H S Phoolka was trailing behind Akali nominee Manpreet Singh Ayali.