The Bharatiya Janata Party was on Wednesday projected in exit polls to emerge as the largest party in both Maharashtra and Haryana Assembly elections stopping short of majority.

The Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party, which were ruling Maharashtra for 15 years before they split ahead of the elections, were projected to lose heavily while Shiv Sena was predicted to emerge as the second largest party.

The pollsters gave the BJP the edge in Haryana, with two of the three giving the party a majority.

If the projections come true, the BJP will be forming the government in Haryana for the first time ever.

Counting of votes will take place on October 19.

Graphic: Reuben NV/Rediff.com