PANAJI
Both the major contenders for power -- the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress -- have expressed confidence of winning the election and forming the next government in what has arguably been one of the most bitterly fought elections in recent history.
At the end of polling following a campaign that remained centred around political personalities, power play, unprecedented levels of politicians jumping ideological alleys and hopping parties, the State presidents of the two rival parties -- Sadanand Tanavade and Girish Chodankar -- claimed they will get a majority of their own and form the government.
Tanavade said his party will "surely win" 22-plus seats to give a stable government. Congress' Chodankar on the other hand claimed a "clean sweep" for the party with a thumping majority of 24-26 seats.
To justify his claim of winning the election, Tanavade cited enthusiasm of the voters and his party's political strength manifested in thumping wins in bye-elections and ZP polls in the past five years.
Chodankar on the other hand cited large voter turnouts as an indicator of the anger against the BJP.
