Stock Market Close: Sensex Gains 356 Pts, Nifty Crosses 24,100

The Sensex gained 356 points, closing at 77,269.40 and Nifty crossed 24,100 but ended below intraday highs due to weakness in IT and banking stocks amid election volatility. BJP led in West Bengal and Assam, UDF in Kerala, while TVK surged in Tamil Nadu. Mid and small caps rose, realty and metal outperformed, and Brent crude declined.