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. Ranbaxy and HDFC Bank were among the other Sensex stocks that ended in the green.

PSUs, auto, bank and cement counters bore the brunt of the sellling pressure as they ended at significantly lower levels.