Maharashtra and Haryana elections: THE VERDICT

The Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena alliance on Thursday retained power in Maharashtra, albeit with a reduced majority, while it was a hung assembly in Haryana where the BJP emerged as the single largest party.

Most exit polls had predicted that the Bharatiya Janata Party would drub its rivals in Maharashtra and Haryana, but they turned out to be way off the mark, failing to gauge the fight put up by the Opposition.

The biggest shocker is in Haryana where at least three exit polls predicted decimation of the Opposition, but the BJP won 40 seats in the 90-member assembly and the Congress 31 seats.

Following is the break-up of the verdict.

-- MAPPED: WINNERS OF MAHARASHTRA and HARYANA POLLS

• MAHARASHTRA and HARYANA ELECTIONS: FULL COVERAGE