Modi wave takes wind out of 'mahagathbandhan' sail

Riding on the crest of the Modi wave, BJP and its ally in Uttar Pradesh Thursday dished out a grand performance in Uttar Pradesh, halting the efforts of the fledgling 'mahagathbandhan' to challenge the saffron brigade in the crucial Hindi heartland state.
As counting progressed past midnight, the BJP and the Apna Dal (S) consolidated their position, winning 54 seats together out of the 80 seats at stake. The BJP was leading on another 10. The BSP won eight and was leading on two seats, while its alliance partner SP won four and was leading on one. Congress won the lone Raebareli seat of Sonia Gandhi.