Though BJP scored impressive victories in the consecutive Assembly elections, when it came to Lok Sabha polls, the party remained neck-and-neck with the Congress.br In the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP had won 14 seats while the Congress had bagged 12 out of the total 26 in the state. In 2009, the Congress had won 11 while BJP emerged victorious on 15 seats.br On the contrary, during Assembly elections held in 2002, 2007 and 2012, people gave a thumping majority to BJP.