BJP, Cong claim to have done well in April 20 poll

Both the ruling BJP and Congress today claimed to have done well in the first phase simultaneous parliamentary and assembly elections held in Orissa. 

The BJP state general secretary, Rajkishore Das, said in a statement that the enthusiasm shown by the people to participate in the polls was a 'positive sign' of the support for the BJD-BJP alliance.

The alliance would have done well in the first phase elections, he said.

The Congress spokesman, Arya Kumar Gyanendra, said that the indications were that his party had performed creditably in the polls.

''It shows that L K Advani's 'Bharat Uday Yatra' had no impact on the people of western and southern Orissa,'' Gyanendra said.

The Congress had fielded candidates in 72 out of 77 assembly seats.