Counting of votes was taken up in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Delhi today, with the Bharatiya Janata Party taking early leads in the first two states; the Congress seemed to be on its way to retaining Delhi, while in Chhattisgarh it had a slight advantage.

The BJP was leading in 149 constituencies in Madhya Pradesh; the Congress was leading in only 32 seats in the 230-member assembly; and others in 23 constituencies.

In Rajasthan the saffron party was leading in 106 seats in the 200-member assembly; the Congress in 71; and others in 19 constituencies.

The Congress, on the other hand, was marching ahead in Delhi; it was leading in 46 seats while the BJP was ahead in 20; others were doing well in only 3.

In Chhattisgarh, the Congress was ahead in 41 seats; the BJP in 37 of the 90 constituencies; and the Nationalist Congress Party and Bahujan Samaj Party were ahead in one seat each.

Chief Minister Ajit Jogi was leading in Marwahi by over 4,500 votes against his BJP rival Nand Kumar Sai.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay Singh virtually conceded defeat saying the Congress couldn't form government.

Vasundhara Raje, BJP's chief ministerial candidate in Rajasthan, said her party would come to power on its own.

"I don't think there will be a photo-finish. But if it happens, we will consider at that time," she said.

Asked if the help of independents would be sought, Raje said, "Doors are always open for them. But I cannot consider that option at this point of time because we believe we are going to win."