LOK SABHA ELECTION RESULT UPDATE AT 13 HOURS IST: It seems that the Congress-led UPA is set to retain power at the Centre. It has done an impressive performance in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to overwhelm the BJP-led NDA.

The UPA alliance is leading in 250 constituencies. Congress alone is leading in 198 seats. The magic figure to form government is 272 in the 543-member Lok Sabha.

The Congress said it was a vindication of its policies. BJP spokespersons are still unwilling to concede the defeat but they admitted that the UPA was ahead in early trends.

After Jawaharlal Nehru, Manmohan Singh will be the first Prime Minister to return to power after a full 5-year term.

Congress has done good in Kerala. It routed Left Front and also had given a severe blow to the Marxists in West Bengal with help from the ally Trinamool Congress.

Congress also swept Delhi. It has done exceedingly well in Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and Uttarakhand. It has more than doubled its tally in UP leading in 20 of the 80 seats there.

BJP showing good in Karnataka, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. It is leading in 18 of the 28 seats in Karnataka, 19 out of the 29 seats in MP and 15 out of 26 in Gujarat.