BJP to crush Congress in battle for India, say exit polls

Monday marked the end of India's staggered Lok Sabha election in which a total of 66 percent of the 814 million electorate voted over 10 rounds. It was the highest voter participation ever.

Like in earlier phases, millions voted Monday in Uttar Pradesh (18 seats), West Bengal (17) and Bihar (six seats).

The constituency which drew most interest nationally was Varanasi where Modi was a candidate, challenged by AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal and Ajay Rai of the Congress. The turnout was so heavy in Varanasi that some voters complained that stood in queues for as long as four hours.

Barring stray clashes and allegations of voter intimidation in parts of West Bengal, Monday's voting too passed off peacefully in a tribute to the world's largest democracy.

Monday saw a key index of the Bombay Stock Exchange closing at an all-time high, just before exit polls poured in, gaining over 550 points or nearly 2.5 percent intra-day.