Sense of jubilation at BJP HQ with party likely to surpass 2014 show

Supporters gather in front of TV as numbers flash for Amethi. Rahul Gandhi trails Smriti Irani by around 6,500 votes around noon time

A huge cheer went up in the crowd of BJP supporters gathered in front of the television at the party's national headquarters in Central Delhi, as numbers flashed for Amethi. Rahul Gandhi was trailing to Smriti Irani by around 6,500 votes by this time, just before noon.

"Someone get an oxygen cylinder fast, Rahul baba is about to faint," quipped one of the supporters, the BJP flag resting on his shoulders. Whether this jibe is premature or not, only the final results will say. For now, the celebrations started early at the party's imposing headquarters.

By noon, around 2,000 supporters