The Sensex started the day with a loss of 57 points at 5868, thanks to the exit poll, which suggested a lesser seat count for the NDA Government. Intensified selling pressure saw the index slip deeper into the red.
After touching an intra-day low of 5704 during the closing stages, the Sensex recovered marginally to finally end the day with a huge loss of 213 points at 5712. The Nifty also ended 75 points lower at 1817.
Reliance dropped 5% (Rs 28) to Rs 539. While ITC was down 2.4% at Rs 1054, HLL ended the day with a loss of 3% (Rs 5) at Rs 147.
Infosys ended 3% lower at Rs 5135. Satyam was down 1.6% (Rs 5) at Rs 319 while Wipro ended 4% lower (Rs 63) at Rs 1531.
Cipla was the most significant gainer among the Sensex stocks as it ended 3.3% (Rs 43) higher at Rs 1344.