Chandigarh, Mar 6 (IANS): Punjab's ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance made major gains, leading in 66 seats in trends available for 105 of Punjab's 117 assembly seats.

The Congress, which was confident of forming a government in the state, was ahead in just 36 seats while independents and others were leading in the remaining three seats in trends available up to 9.45 a.m.

The Akali Dal-BJP combine had surged ahead of the Congress in early trends emerging after the first round of counting on nearly 70 of the state's 117 assembly seats.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal was leading on the Lambi seat against his younger brother Gurdas Badal of the People's Party of Punjab (PPP) and cousin Maheshinder Singh Badal.

Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh (Patiala-urban) and Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal (Jalalabad) were leading on their respective seats. PPP president Manpreet Singh Badal was trailing on both assembly seats, Gidderbaha and Maur, which he contested.

Counting of votes started in Punjab at 8 a.m. Tuesday.