Bhubaneswar: The ruling BJD-BJP combine today (May 13, 2004) surged ahead against the Congress-led alliance establishing a lead in 71 out of the 147 Assembly seats while the Congress and its allies leading in 48 seats.

The BJD, which contested in 84 seats, had set up leads in 46 seats while the BJP was ahead in 25 out of the 63 constituencies where it had fielded its candidates.

The Congress alone was ahead in 42 seats while its allies were leading in six seats. The CPI (M) and OGP were ahead in two seats each while the CPI and JMM were leading in one constituency.

Elections 2004-Where is India heading...
Political Parties in India

Independents were ahead in eight seats while the Samajwadi Party was leading in one constituency.

In several constituencies, the candidates in the lead were ahead by less than a hundred to just a few hundred votes.

Former Orissa Chief Minister and Congress candidate Hemananda Biswal was trailing in the Laikera (ST) Assembly constituency against BJP's Brundaban Majhi by about 800 votes.