Suspense around the Bihar poll results took a toll on markets on as the benchmark BSE Sensex tracking a mixed closing in Asia plunged to over one-month low of 26,304.20 as sell-off intensified.
Even the NSE Nifty came under pressure and settled below the 8,000-mark.
Mood remained fragile because of uncertainty over Bihar Assembly election results and disappointing quarterly earnings by blue-chips.
Exit polls were due later in the day and results are slated for Sunday.
Also, investors refused to play ball as they digested US Fed Chair Janet Yellen’s announcement on Wednesday that a December rate hike is very much on the table as the economy has performed well.
There was bad news from the rupee, which at 65.74 lost ground against the dollar on sustained capital outflows, which added to the fear factor.
The BSE Sensex after opening a shade higher quickly turned negative and finally settled the day lower 248.72 points, or 0.94 per cent, at 26,304.20 after selling pressure accelerated towards the fag end -- its weakest closing since October 1. The gauge had lost 37.67 points in yesterday’s choppy session.